Chapter 28 When Spouses Cross Paths Unrecognized
At the bidding meeting, Margaret's lips curved into a content smile as she noticed the absence of Yannis's team from their designated spot.
It was then that Pearl South led the way, alongside Kim, Cecil West, and Julian, all striking figures, all lined up with an air of unmistakable confidence as they walked into the bidding meeting.
Xena Sackler, seated next to Margaret, took one glance at the quartet and was particularly unsettled by Pearl South, who wore a necklace worth millions, a limited-edition piece. Then, observing the three stunning individuals trailing behind her, tall and with a charm each their own, she couldn't stay composed.
"Grandma," Xena Sackler murmured, her curiosity piqued, "Who are these people? I've never seen them before."
With a hint of discomfort, Margaret studied the new arrivals—a group of people dressed elegantly and projecting sophistication—who weren't familiar to the regular crowd. Anyone could feel uneasy at their sudden emergence.
"I haven't seen them before. Let's wait and see. Without Yannis, our toughest competitor on the scene, I think we've got this project in the bag," she said, though her confidence didn't stop her from covertly snapping pictures of the strangers to send back to her team for some quick intel.
The Universe Group had always had a presence in Northwind, but Pearl South and her folks had only recently landed, a few days after Paige's release, waiting for instructions. The former Universe reps, like those from the Sackler’s business, were well-known faces in business circles, familiar yet distant.
At the Northwind bidding event, Pearl South and their group were fresh faces. Despite participating, Pearl was engrossed in a video call with Paige and Yannis, who, despite their absence from the venue, were closely involved through their screens.
This was Paige's first big move since getting out of the slammer, a challenge thrown down by the Sacklers. As the bidding even progressed, in no time the results were announced swiftly and decisively; Pearl South's group snagged the contract.
Margaret's composure slipped. Spying her reaction, Pearl South craftily pointed their phone camera at her. Paige, catching sight of Margaret's dismayed expression on the screen, couldn't hold back a laugh. Pearl, the seemingly all-business office lady, turned out to have a playful side.
Yannis, watching Paige's reaction to Margaret's discomfort, couldn't contain his curiosity. "What's the deal between you two?" he asked.
"Enemies," Paige retorted with a sharp edge. Yannis was perplexed.
At Margaret’s order, Paige was supposed to prevent Yannis from securing the project, through seduction or even abduction. Yet somehow, Paige had pivoted and was now partnering with Yannis.
Realizing Paige wasn't up for sharing more, Yannis left it at that. Paige set down her coffee cup and reached out to Yannis. They shook hands, sealing their new understanding.
"Someone will be in touch with you soon, Mr. Xander. Goodbye!"
As Paige started to leave, Yannis realized she hadn't quite figured out who she was. "Ms. Sackler, what is your position at Universal?"
With a slight smile, Paige replied, "You'll find out in due time."
Turning on her heel, Paige made her way to the exit of the café.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Raymond had transformed his appearance. He was clad in an oversized trench coat, a cap pulled low over his eyes, and sunglasses combined with a face mask, completely concealing his identity.
He was out on his own today, not wanting to use his wheelchair or be recognized by anyone.
Perhaps due to his hurried steps, he didn't notice someone pushing open the café door just as he passed by.
The door hit Raymond squarely, while Paige stumbled against the partly opened door, wincing from the pain as she nearly lost her balance.
Fortunately, Raymond's quick reflexes saved the day; he reached out to steady Paige, who was also disguised with bangs, large sunglasses, and a mask.
Before even a moment to exchange glances, Paige leaned into Raymond's chest. A sudden shock ran through her body; the height, the build... the hand that rested on her waist felt eerily similar to a fleeting memory.
Paige's hand almost reached for his mask, but he quickly evaded her grasp.
He made sure she was steady, then he swiftly released her and apologized. Before she could utter a word, he was gone.
Paige stood there, dumbfounded.
The physique... yes, it matched the height!
But the voice...
She mulled over the word "sorry," finding the voice oddly familiar.
Of course, she never associated the tall figure who just walked away with Raymond, the man who used a wheelchair daily by her side. Instead, her thoughts drifted to a blurry memory from her not so far away past.
It wasn’t until he had walked a considerable distance that Raymond suddenly realized, that the waist he had just held, felt so delicate and familiar in his grasp... why did it feel so reminiscent of someone’s touch?
No, that couldn't be right. His interactions with women were hardly ever intimate. If at all, it was only with Paige, who wore the same old clothes daily and kept her hair immaculately tied back, exuding the simplicity that his father Bradley admired.
Even though it was just a brief touch, he hadn't really looked at the woman closely.
But the woman leaving the café, with her high heels and fashionable attire, wore brands undoubtedly out of Paige's budget range. And that aura about her was starkly different from the Paige he knew.
Brushing past a pedestrian as if they were an afterthought, Raymond's mind inevitably wandered to Paige. He felt borderline obsessed.
Paige was a chance encounter, a fluke, a fling that should've ended even before it started. And heaven knows, her heart probably still held a place for Louis.
The ease with which her image intruded his thoughts was borderline pathetic. It made him seem like a lovesick fool.
Raymond, who never liked to get caught up in his feelings, quickly put these thoughts out of his head. He took a deliberate step down to the parking lot and got into a car with a strange license plates.
Meanwhile, Paige slapped her own cheek lightly.
"Get a grip, Paige!" she scolded herself, "You're a married woman. How could you let your thoughts stray to another man?"
Having chastised herself, Paige took a couple of deep breaths. She had more pressing matters to attend to. As she walked, she shot out a message to Margaret; The task you assigned me is done.
Margaret was seething, having gone to great lengths to win over Paige, and sidelining her fiercest competitor.
Notwithstanding, she hadn't anticipated an unexpected player to enter the game. Upon receiving Paige's peremptory text, Margaret shot back a terse 'Got it,' before rushing off to catch up with Pearl South.
"Excuse me, please wait."
Margaret approached Pearl personally, who paused and turned, asking, "Were you calling me?"
With a congenial smile, Margaret inquired, "May I ask how to address you, miss? With such a substantial project underway, are you by any chance looking for a partner? I am Margaret..."
With an impassive veneer expression, Pearl interrupted her with a precise "I know who you are, Ms. Sackler."
Delight flickered across Margaret's face; recognition from Pearl South could mean an easy partnership.
But Pearl's follow-up was a cold, sharp turn, "Ms. Sackler, you are at the top of our 'Do Not Collaborate' list."
