Red Carpet

Red carpets are usually packed with cameras flashing and reporters shouting over one another. It was chaos.

The charity fundraiser had pulled in every big name imaginable. Billionaires, influencers, celebrities, they were all there. VestorCorp had made waves with a billion-dollar donation. It was all over the headlines.

Caius stood near the entrance with Lauren by his side. He wasn't there for the spotlight, he was there to clear his name. The company was in trouble, and this was his way of controlling the narrative. The idea came to him a few days ago. He made sure everyone knew he had fired Manager Min and had nothing to do with the scandal. Lauren insisted on coming. She knew how to play the victim card, and Caius didn't care enough to argue. He let her soak in the attention as the cameras flashed at them.

"Mr. Thorne! Over here!" one paparazzo called out.

Lauren smiled like a queen, acting as if the rumors about VestorCorp didn't bother her. She loved the attention, and she was good at playing the part. But Caius was tired of it. Once the photos were taken, they moved away to a less visible spot, just outside the grand hall where the event was happening. It was quieter there. Out of sight of the cameras but still in the midst of the donors.

Lauren thrived on the small crowd. Shaking hands and basking in compliments.

"She's so strong," one guest whispered. "All this drama, and she still looks amazing."

"Always does," another said. "No wonder everyone admires her."

Caius barely listened. His attention was on the entrance, where the photographers seemed to be losing their minds. The energy shifted as murmurs grew louder.

"Is it her?" someone whispered nearby.

"It has to be. That's Miss H!"

"Really? I didn't think she'd actually show up."

The crowd outside screamed as a sleek black car pulled up. Security covered the area, pushing paparazzi and fans back. Everyone raised their necks to get a better look. Phones were out, cameras aimed. It was chaos again. All for Miss H.

The car door opened, and silence fell for a brief moment. A slender leg stepped out, then the other. She stood tall, her figure elegant and sharp in a bodycon dress. She wore a fur coat draped lightly over her shoulders, sunglasses hiding her eyes, and a face mask covering the rest of her face. Nobody could see who she was, but that didn't stop the crowd from going crazy.

"She's taller than I thought," someone murmured as she stepped onto the pavement.

"Look at her! You don't even need to see her face to know she's stunning."

Miss H didn't stop for the red carpet. She didn't pause for pictures or interviews. She walked forward, and the donors parted, clearing her path. Security tripled, forming a barrier to keep the crowd back. Phones clicked endlessly as she passed, but she paid no attention.

Caius watched her closely. For the briefest moment, her eyes swept across the room, locking with his. Then, just as quickly, she looked away and continued walking.

Miss H went into the main hall, and the event organizers announced the start of the fundraiser. It was time.