Chapter 325

Chapter 322
Gemma’s POV
The morning air is crisp as I wait outside the upscale styling salon, my arms crossed against a light chill. I’d agreed to meet Mikhail here for today’s event, assuming it was another business function. I see his Rolls–Royce pull up, not from the direction of the city, but from the winding road that leads to one place only: Oakhaven.
He gets out, looking infuriatingly composed. “What are you doing here?”
He gives me a look of pure amusement. “At the styling salon? Of course, I’m here to get styled.” A slow, mocking smile spreads across his face. “Or did you think we’d come for breakfast?”
I pause, momentarily thrown. Mikhail indeed has a way with words that is both disarming and deeply irritating.
I assume he’s the one who needs primping for whatever high–society event we’re attending. But the moment we step inside, two attendants descend upon me, flanking me like elegant prison guards.
Sorry, I say, offering them a tight smile and gesturing toward Mikhail, “he’s the one getting styled.”
They nod politely but don’t budge. Mikhail has already settled onto a plush velvet sofa, crossing his legs with an air of qwnership. “Get her a change of clothes,” he instructs pl cygn3 looking at me.
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< Chapter 322 I’m ushered into a dressing room filled with racker emprise clothing. After some hesitant rifling, I settle om something simple yet elegant: a moss green satin halter maxi dress It feels cool against my skin, and when I step out from behind the curtain, it shimmers subtly under the studio line, I’ll take this one, Mikhail declares his gaze sworthy, oneer me with swift approval. It must be said, his decisivenes with clothes is unnervingly efficient, As we’re leaving, a knot of unease lightens in my stomach, “80 what’s the event today?” I ask, turning to him. In response, he pulls a small box from his pocket. Inside resta a stunning emerald ring, cut in a way that catches the light and fractures it into a dozen green sparks. “Put it on,” he says, handing it to me. Hey, wait, I protest, holding the cool, heavy band between my fingers. “Can you at least tell me what we’re doing? He just glances at me, takes my hand, and slides the ring onto my finger. It fits as if it were made for me. “It fits perfectly,” he murmurs, his lips pursed in thought. He offers no other explanation. I sigh, defeated, and follow him back to the car. It isn’t until we pull up to a lavishly decorated estate, with white arches and floral arrangements everywhere, that the pieces click into place. “Today is Linda’s wedding, isn’t it?” I ask, my voice low. Mikhail pauses for a fraction of a second. “Don’t mention what 33 < Chapter 322 argument. Lucky Draw My first instinct is to run. I want no part of this drama. But before I can even turn, a familiar, sleek black Rolls–Royce glides to a stop nearby. The door opens, and Cassian unfolds himself from the back seat. His eyes, dark and intense, immediately find mine across the distance. Mikhail sees him too and raises a single, challenging eyebrow at me. “Not going in?” I grit my teeth, the emerald ring feeling suddenly heavy on my finger. “Let’s go.” I haven’t forgotten the lie I must maintain, the fiction that the child I carry belongs to Mikhail and not to the man now staring a hole through me. I see the moment Cassian’s heart plummets. I see the raw, possessive urge flash in his eyes, the tension coiling his body as he seems ready to stride over and rip me away from Mikhail’s side. But Liam appears at his elbow, grabbing his arm and hissing something urgent into his ear. I can almost read his lips: “You’re divorced. She’s single now. If you act now, it’ll be a messy situation!” While Liam holds him back, I deliberately link my arm through Mikhail’s, my posture rigid, and let him lead me inside. Once we’re amidst the glittering crowd, I watch Mikhail. Men to approach him, to make conversation, but he ignores them3 15:33