Chapter 21

On Saturday afternoon, Olivia invited Winnie out. She brought her some important news.

"Winnie, did you know that the CEO of Imperial Jewelry is a huge oil painting fan? October is just around the corner which means registration for the provincial jewelry competition will start soon. I heard that Daniel and Ava have been keeping an eye on charity auctions recently. They are trying to please the CEO because he is a judge at the competition!"

'Charity auctions often feature oil paintings and they want to take the back door to please the CEO of Imperial Jewelry, 'Winnie thought to herself.

Olivia worriedly said, "We also need to quickly please the CEO of Imperial Jewelry! You made enemies with your archrival at the Victoria Private Club the other day and the registration is coming up. I want to see if you still have any fight left in you."

Winnie grumbled irritably, "Let's not talk about that for now."

"Okay then," Olivia said, taking a deep breath.

"Back then, Daniel's sweet words blinded me. I'd share my drafts with Ava, thinking I was just young and learning. Turns out, I foolishly helped Daniel elevate Ava to be a genius. But now, I realize that she only has drafts while I have a brain."

Winnie was determined to regain the stolen glory, one piece at a time.

"Winnie, you are a design genius. This competition is finally your chance to shine again," said Olivia, her eyes filled with warmth.

Winnie tightened her grip on Olivia's hand.

"Afterwards, you'll be busy with your drafts. How about we go shopping today?" Olivia suggested, seizing the opportunity.

Winnie shook her head. "I want to go see the jewelry exhibition."

She found ambitious women terrifying. But Olivia's eyes gleamed mischievously as she said, "Alright!"

They drove to the city center, all the way to the grand building of Imperial Jewelry. Winnie was puzzled. "Why are you bringing me to the company of my archenemy?"

Olivia's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Didn't we decide to butter up the CEO of Imperial Jewelry? I couldn't resist after you said he was stunningly handsome! Imperial is having a jewelry exhibition today and I heard that he will make an appearance at noon. You can look at your jewelry while I take a look at him!"

"Are you obsessed with looks?" Winnie was infuriated. "You're infatuated with my archenemy. Does that make any sense?"

"Don't be so sure. You might drool over him too later."

Winnie rolled her eyes in annoyance at her friend's teasing.

Amidst their hushed conversation, the rumble of engines grew louder. Under the skyscraper's shadow, a fleet of gleaming luxury cars sputtered to a stop with a Rolls-Royce in the center. The door opened and a man with long and imposing legs stepped out.

He fastened the buttons on his suit, exuding a cold and elegant air. His silhouette alone was a mesmerizing sight.

Winnie's gaze was unconsciously fixed on that face. Upon seeing it again, she was still captivated by his breathtaking beauty and unparalleled charm.

Countless women who rushed over emitted excited screams. Security guards were dealing with the crowd, and the man's thick eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Olivia, the face enthusiast, shouted the loudest, "What a perfect specimen! He looks so stunning! Winnie, hold me steady."

The unexpected mention of "Winnie" made the man freeze abruptly as he glanced in Olivia's direction.

Winnie looked at her archenemy a few meters away and coldly snorted. "What's so great about his looks? He's not as handsome as my fake husband!"

The man's gaze subtly shifted as he examined her.

Olivia suspected, "Really? Is your fake husband even more handsome than the CEO of Imperial Jewelry?"

Winnie, a knot of apprehension tightening in her stomach, sized up her archenemy's tall figure. Although she had never seen him before, she still had faith in her fake husband's attractiveness.

Just then Winnie's phone rang.

"Hello, this is Winnie speaking," she said, holding her phone to her ear.

"Hello, this is Mr. Rodriguez's assistant. Mr. Rodriguez asked me to contact you and request that you add him on Facebook," the assistant explained.

Winnie paused for a moment, surprised by the unexpected call from Lawrence's assistant. Nevertheless, she quickly added Lawrence's contact, seeing the black and icy profile picture that suited his cold demeanor.

Winnie's phone suddenly lit up with a notification. A message etching itself onto the screen from Lawrence: [Are you secretly looking at other men behind my back?]

Winnie's breath hitched. Her eyes, wide with a sudden guilt, darted around the room searching for escape from the accusing silence. Upstairs, a smirk played on the thin lips of a man, his gaze tracing her beautiful figure.

Her phone lit up with a notification again with a message from Lawrence: [Are you going shopping?]

Winnie was about to answer "yes," but Lawrence texted her a document without saying a word.

Winnie opened it and her face turned drained of color after reading it. Curious, Olivia leaned closer and exclaimed,

"Oh my god, what kind of perfect husband do you have? He even gives you a file explaining what you can't eat while you go shopping. No milkshake, no fried food, no spicy food entirely? He is so controlling! I absolutely adore this kind of charming mature man treating his wife like a princess!"

Winnie glared at Olivia furiously then glared at the document.

She then angrily stormed off to buy a milkshake after which she took a big sip of her milkshake and said, "If he has the guts, let him come and take it from me!"

Lawrence's frown deepened as he met her unwavering gaze. The defiance in her pout was a contrast to the sip of rebellion she'd just taken. In the end, she turned and obediently threw away the milkshake.

"Mischievous!" Lawrence coldly commented and walked away.

The assistant's mouth twitched. "Does the boss usually praise his delicate wife like this?"

The two arrived at the mall and Olivia wanted to invite their friend Victoria to join them.

However, she couldn't reach her on the phone.

Olivia furrowed her brows while complaining, "Ever since you miraculously came back to life, Victoria hasn't contacted us. What is she up to? She's already a big star, is she really that busy?"

Winnie fell silent for a moment and said, "I checked her Instagram. She said she joined a film crew. Maybe she hasn't checked her phone. We'll meet up when she has time!"

"Okay." Olivia nodded and pulled her into the Hermes counter.

There were many new items from the latest collection. Winnie casually picked up one to look at. In the past, the salesperson would directly deliver limited edition items to her.

"This is a private couture piece worth $880,000, Ms. Winnie." The salesperson walked over, obviously recognizing who Winnie was.

"Who let her dirty hands touch this item!" An arrogant voice suddenly came from behind.