Chapter 2

"Good afternoon! Miss Loxley," the concierge greeted with a bow.

Winnie stepped out of the car, her petite evening clutch held gracefully in front of her abdomen. She waited for the hem of her gown to fall naturally into place before lifting her gaze, nodding politely at the concierge. "Good afternoon."

Mia exited from the other side. Noticing her sky-high heels, the attending concierge promptly extended an arm for her to steady herself.

Winnie waited for Mia to catch up before offering her a reassuring smile. "This is your first banquet. But don't be nervous. If you have any questions, just ask me."

Mia knew she was only there because of Winnie's star power and reputation. Her manager had also seen her potential and wanted her to gain experience. Eager to make a good impression, she had ignored her assistant manager's advice and overdid it, choosing a voluminous tulle gown that required her to hold the hem up just to walk—a look that, while endearing, came across as awkwardly naïve.

"Put the dress down," Winnie said calmly.

For some reason, Mia felt an odd sense of illusion. From the moment Winnie stepped out of the car, it seemed like she had shifted into a state of poised readiness, as though stepping onto a stage.

Mia obediently let go of her gown's hem. Almost immediately, she saw Winnie glance back at the concierge, nodding and smiling lightly. "If you please."

There was no need for further instructions. Three attendants immediately crouched down to adjust the pink tulle train, one in front and two in back. Meanwhile, a public relations assistant stood waiting nearby to guide them. Seeing that everything was settled, the PR assistant gestured toward the hallway. "This way, please."

The VIP corridor was eerily quiet, the exclusive elevator faintly perfumed with a cool, refreshing mist. Its silver-metal walls mirrored the figures of the three passengers in sharp clarity.

Mia stole a glance at the reflection. Even in a simple black satin slip gown, Winnie's figure was strikingly elegant.

The elevator ascended to the banquet hall floor, where the PR assistant spoke up. "A few guests have yet to arrive. Miss Loxley, we've prepared a private lounge for you. Would you like me to take you there?"

Winnie glanced at Mia with a questioning look. Knowing that Mia's status wasn't high enough to warrant her own lounge, Winnie took the initiative to invite her, hoping to spare her any awkwardness.

Mia opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by a man's voice.

"Winnie."

Winnie's back stiffened.

It was a brief, instinctive reaction—so fleeting that, in the next moment, she had already composed herself. With a bright, poised smile, she greeted, "Mr. Robinson, what a surprise to see you here."

Wyatt Robinson, a name that resonated throughout the industry, was a heavyweight producer and investor.

Dressed sharply in a tailored suit, one hand in his pocket, he waved off the PR assistant with a casual gesture. "Take this young lady to the lounge first. I'll take it from here."

Once everyone else had left, Wyatt extended his arm, inviting Winnie to take it.

"Why so understated today?" he asked, his gaze flicking to her collarbones and shoulders framed by two delicate straps.

It was a social custom, and refusing wasn't an option. Winnie smiled faintly and slipped her hand around his arm. "It's not a red-carpet event, after all."

Wyatt chuckled lightly. "Smart choice. That girl who came with you is not as smart as you."

"She's young," Winnie replied noncommittally. Despite linking arms with Wyatt, her demeanor remained polite and distant.

A waiter pushed open the heavy, upholstered doors, revealing a spacious, brightly lit banquet hall. Winnie's eyes scanned the room, quickly recognizing a few familiar faces from the entertainment industry. There weren't many, but the ones present were all strikingly attractive actors and actresses—likely invited, like her, to serve as glamorous adornments to the event.

Soft whispers rose from behind her footsteps.

"Again, Wyatt's plus-one?"

"Mr. Robinson does seem to have a type. Looks like persistence pays off."

"Who exactly are you referring to?" someone asked with a laugh, covering their mouth.

"Wyatt is in his prime, good-looking too. If he were willing to make it official, wouldn't that be a straight shot to becoming his wife?"

Winnie heard every word clearly. Her expression didn't waver, but her slender brows knit together in brief irritation before smoothing out.

"I knew you'd be here, so I prepared a gift for you," Wyatt said, ignoring the murmurs around them as he lowered his gaze to speak to Winnie.

Winnie froze slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in her chest. "What kind of gift?"

"A couture gown, fresh from Paris Fashion Week. I thought you deserved to be its global debut."

For the first time, her perfectly composed expression faltered. Her smile stiffened. "Such an extravagant gift—perhaps it would be better saved for next month's film festival…"

"I want you to wear it today," Wyatt interrupted, his tone calm but firm. He repeated slowly, "As my date, that's the kind of treatment you should expect."

"But the accessories…" Winnie grasped desperately for an excuse.

Everyone had already seen her in her current outfit when she arrived. To suddenly change into a globally debuting spring/summer couture gown, with its source clearly traceable to Wyatt, would be impossible to downplay. If he intended to give her a gift, why not do so earlier? Why wait until after her entrance?

He did this on purpose. That bastard Wyatt.

Winnie silently cursed him in her mind. Yet when she looked up, her eyes carried a pitiful softness. "Changing outfits is such a hassle. My hair might get messy, or I could smudge lipstick on the dress…"

"None of that matters," Wyatt cut her off. After a pause, his voice softened slightly. "Do you know who the guest of honor is tonight?"

"Who?"

Wyatt smirked, raising a finger to lightly tap her lips. "The gown and jewelry are already in your lounge. I want you, wearing my dress, to be the most beautiful woman in the room, standing only by my side."