Chapter 26

Alan walked into the office, and Reese finally looked up from her screen, pushing herself out of her chair.
“Don’t mind me,” Alan said, waving her off, then walked over to stand behind her, eyes on the swirling car routes animated across her monitor.
Reese kept working, tweaking her code. A pop-up flashed in the bottom corner. Sofia was grinning under a spotlight, her smile blinding. Reese didn’t even glance at it.
Alan caught her total lack of reaction to the Clever Cloud launch news. He smiled, satisfied, and set a gold-embossed invitation on her desk. “Tonight is Mr. Ratcliff’s son’s birthday party. You’re coming with me.”
Reese’s hands paused on the keyboard. “Alan, I’m still swamped. Can I skip it?”
He gave her a tired smile. “I know you hate these things. But it’s the Ratcliff family. Every big name in Bridger Lake will be there.”
He leaned closer, dropping his voice. “Clever Cloud’s dispatch system is finally live. All eyes are on us. We need to show up.”
He was right—no one else at the company knew the system as well as she did.
Reese fell silent. This was work, not a choice. She really didn’t want to go to Robbie’s birthday, but there was no way out.
“The stylist’s already booked. Company’s covering everything.” Alan placed a business card beside the invite and headed out. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on
That afternoon, Reese walked into the styling studio, told the receptionist her stylist’s name, and got led to the dress racks.
Alan said expenses were covered, but she wasn’t about to abuse it. She ignored the consultant’s thinly veiled eye roll and walked straight to the lower-priced section, pulling out a simple ivory off-the-shoulder dress that hit at the knee.
The satin fell in clean lines, the neckline fastened by a single pearl. It’s elegant, almost plain.
She held it up in the mirror. The girl staring back had clear, steady eyes. Somehow, the simplicity suited her.
“This one please,” she said.
She was about to call the consultant over when a sudden commotion broke out behind her.
“Mr. Ratcliff, Ms. Meyer, right this way. Your custom gown just arrived, it’s waiting in the VIP suite.”
The consultant who’d barely looked at Reese now practically bowed, her voice syrupy, hustling to the entrance.
Reese turned and saw Sebastian walking in with Sofia. He wore a crisp black suit, tall and sharp, his gaze cool as he scanned the room. It never once settled on Reese, as if she was a stranger.
Sofia, in a champagne mermaid dress, was laughing up at him. The sapphire necklace at her throat caught the light, dazzling.
“Didn’t Mr. Ratcliff get that necklace for thirty million at Sotheby’s?” someone whispered.
“That’s nothing. Ms. Meyer’s dress was handmade by a Milan designer. Just the embroidery took three months. Heard it goes for nearly two million.”
“Honestly, she’s wearing a house on her back. Mr. Ratcliff really doesn’t hold back.”
The chatter drifted over. Reese glanced down at the price tag on her dress. It wasn’t even close to the cost of that necklace’s clasp. No wonder the consultant hadn’t bothered with her. Without another word, she took her dress and headed straight for the makeup room.
When her hair and makeup were done, the main hall was empty. Sebastian and Sofia must still be in the VIP suite.
Reese didn’t care. She slipped out, got in her car, and drove to meet Alan.
Robbie’s birthday was always at the Ratcliff family estate. It was the kind of place everyone in the upper circles wanted an invite to just setting foot inside felt like a privilege.
Chandelier light filtered through vines, casting a soft, frosted glow over Reese’s ivory dress as she walked in with Alan.
They’d barely crossed the threshold when Robbie came rushing out, dragging his mother Jane along, clearly searching for Sofia.
As soon as he spotted Reese, Robbie scowled. “What are you doing here? You’re not welcome.”
If Auntie saw Reese, she’d assume he invited her, and she might be mad at him. Alan, surprised by Robbie’s familiarity, blinked. “Wait, you two know each other?” Before Robbie could say a word, Jane covered his mouth. “We haven’t met this young lady before. He must have her confused with someone else.”
She shot Reese a warning look: keep quiet.
Reese had no plans to start anything. In another month, once her lawyer finished gathering evidence, she’d be filing for divorce from Sebastian. No need to make waves now.