Chapter 26

Scarlett POV

In the days that followed, I enjoyed a rare period of tranquility.

After my last call with Hugh, he sent over all the project materials related to the Horizon Capital Group partnership.

Heavy folders piled up in front of me, each page filled with professional terminology I couldn't understand.

In the business world, I had only scratched the surface, full of ambition but lacking experience.

After pulling two consecutive all-nighters, I sat curled up at the small dining table in my apartment, studying the financial documents.

Without realizing it, the sky outside gradually turned white.

I held a particularly complex financial statement that continued to baffle me—a complicated investment breakdown.

Reaching for my phone, I thought about calling Alexander for advice, since he was my partner after all.

As I scrolled to the dialing screen, my finger paused.

I suddenly realized an ironic fact: despite having such intimate "contact" with Alexander, I didn't even have his contact information.

This absurd realization filled my chest with an indescribable bitterness.

How ridiculous! I could recall his smirk, remember the temperature of his fingertips as they traced across my skin, and even knew the way his brows would slightly furrow at moments of extreme pleasure.

But if he didn't want to find me, we might as well be from different worlds.

I tossed my phone aside in frustration, rubbing my temples.

The documents in front of me were like a labyrinth, filled with numbers and legal terms deliberately designed to confuse.

But if I wanted to be more than just "Richard's fiancée"—a false identity—I needed to understand this complex content.

Just as I was about to temporarily give up on the document in my hand, my phone suddenly rang.

Richard's name flashed repeatedly on the screen, creating an urgent sensation, like a Pandora's box about to be opened before me.

I didn't know whether to flee or open it.

"Mr. Gray," I carefully answered the phone after about a dozen flashes, keeping my tone intimate yet respectful.

"Scarlett."

His voice carried a sense of pleasure, perhaps from favorable business results abroad.

"I'm calling about Blair's charity banquet the day after tomorrow. I usually attend, but this time you'll go in my place. Tom will prepare the gift; you just need to show up."

"Blair?" I repeated, immediately realizing this was Sandra's family.

In Silverlight City, there was only one Blair family important enough to attract Richard Gray's attention.

"Don't worry," Richard continued, mistaking my hesitation for anxiety.

"You're attending on my behalf. Once I return, I'll find an appropriate occasion to make our relationship public. I won't let you be slighted."

His words filled me with complex emotions. If possible, I hoped he would never make our relationship public.

I would rather continue enjoying Richard's assistance while...

For some reason, the faces of Alexander and George simultaneously appeared in my mind, both with handsome features, strength and gentleness.

Two completely different men, like opposite sides of a coin.

"Scarlett?" Richard's voice noticeably cooled, jolting me from my fantasy.

"Is there a problem?"

I gripped the phone tightly, quickly composing myself.

"No-nothing! I'm just concerned that someone with my background representing you at the Blair family banquet might invite ridicule."

"Nonsense." Richard quickly dismissed my concerns. "Remember, I will always be your support. No one would dare mock you."

"Mr. Gray..." My mouth hung half-open, unsure what to say.

As I contemplated whether to express gratitude, Richard suddenly changed the subject, catching me off guard.

"I hear you've been getting quite close with Alexander recently?"

His question made the blood in my body freeze instantly. My fingers tightly gripped the phone as my head began to buzz.

It seemed Alexander was right—even from abroad, Richard had people watching me.

At that moment, despite being thousands of miles apart, I could still imagine Richard's expression—that smile that never reached his eyes.

"We met once at the company," I finally spoke, my voice barely maintaining steadiness.

"Is that so? You didn't go to Suncrest City?" Richard's voice took on a dangerous tone, giving me goosebumps.

"I was with Mr. Harper..." I stopped, afraid that saying more would make things worse.

Perhaps Richard had been gone too long, making me forget what kind of person he truly was.

Transforming from the underappreciated second son of the family to the current power holder of the Gray family—Richard's experiences were beyond my comprehension.

Could I trust what he said?

Recalling his methods of dealing with those who defied him, my legs weakened slightly.

"Mr. Gray..."

"Get some rest," Richard suddenly chuckled, his voice hoarse, like a sticky caress.

"I'll see you when I return. Scarlett, you know I can't do without you."

The call abruptly ended, leaving only silence in the room.

I collapsed into the chair, trembling all over. Looking at the financial documents covering the table, I helplessly buried my face in my hands.

I would need to be more careful and act with greater caution going forward.

Three days later, I stood at the entrance of the Blair family banquet venue, a luxurious estate situated halfway up a mountain.

Silverlight City's most influential figures arrived in succession, most subtle and elegant, a few glamorous and high-profile.

But they all had one thing in common—they came surrounded by large entourages, yet only one or two people beside them were allowed to enter the Blair family estate.

"Miss Smith," Gray family's butler Tom said softly beside me.

Dressed in a formal black suit, his manner was dignified, very much in line with the Gray family's rigorous and low-key tradition.

"Are you ready?"

I smoothed out the wrinkles of my deep blue evening gown—sent by Richard this morning, accompanied by a card simply reading "wear this."

The gown wrapped me up completely and appropriately, but perhaps because it was too form-fitting, it displayed all my curves, creating a kind of restrained sensuality.

"Yes." I straightened my posture, skillfully putting on the perfect smile I had practiced for such gatherings.

"Miss Smith, representing Richard Gray."

As we entered the hall, it was like dropping a pebble into a crowd, creating ripples of curiosity.

Passing through the crowd, I felt all kinds of gazes—admiration, disdain, curiosity, contempt...

Women assessed my dress and jewelry, while men first looked at me with amazement, followed by thoughtfulness, as if guessing my position at Richard's side.

At the other end of the room, I noticed George talking with Sandra.

He stood there casually, tall and straight, his expression polite but indifferent—until he saw me.

A flash of amazement crossed his eyes, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curling upward, before he pretended to look away indifferently.