Chapter93Attending the Dinner Party
Outside the Imperial Hotel, luxury cars were gathered for an influential business cocktail party that evening.
Rachel got two tickets and insisted on taking Madison to broaden her horizons and find design inspiration. Madison, not keen on such events, remembered what had happened last time and didn't want Rachel to go alone. She called Grandpa ahead of time and sent Quentin and Hannah to The Old Residence.
Rachel drove them to the hotel's banquet hall, both dressed in evening gowns.
Rachel looked gorgeous in a black off-the-shoulder gown with a high slit. Her fair skin and black wavy hair added to her charm as she moved gracefully.
Madison wore a white midi dress decorated with tiny pearls, her black hair elegantly twisted up with a lily hairpin. Stiletto heels highlighted her long, graceful legs, giving her the allure of a pristine lily.
When they walked in, nobody paid much attention to them. Rachel was skilled at marketing and socializing with high society, discussing fashion trends in clothes, handbags, and shoes.
Madison wasn't as comfortable with this scene. She quietly stayed close to Rachel, effectively watching over her.
In a short while, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd, and everyone's attention focused on the main entrance.
Madison didn't expect to run into Matthew there. He entered gracefully, dressed in a subtly luxurious suit, the brown hues harmonious and layered, a nod to classic and understated elegance without overshadowing the wearer.
Matthew arrived that evening without a date, accompanied by Calvin.
They had barely walked in when the host of the party made a beeline for them, quickly escorting Matthew to the VIP room.
If stumbling across Matthew was unexpected for Madison, then seeing Brianna was downright startling.
Shortly after Matthew entered the VIP room, Madison saw Brianna arm-in-arm with another man.
Brianna looked striking in a red gown with a high slit, her tall figure accentuated by her long, fair legs. She appeared more exquisite than ever, even more beautiful than before.
Madison turned self-consciously away, no longer wanting to look. She quietly took her glass of orange juice and waited in the corner for Rachel.
Since coming back, she had neither seen Brianna nor had Matthew mentioned her. Madison was, in truth, unfamiliar with the current state of affairs between the two of them.
Seeing Matthew and Brianna together, she wanted to leave. Rachel was busy networking for the studio, chatting with wealthy patrons. Despite wanting to go, Madison stayed, silently supporting Rachel.
Shortly after Brianna arrived, she noticed Madison. Assuming Madison had come with Matthew, jealousy surged within her, tempting her to confront the woman.
Her godfather had asked her for some documents recently, so she had found a way to cozy up to Mr. L––, from a notable firm, and accompanied him to tonight's soirée. She was sure Matthew would be there, too.
After a while, with nobody approaching Madison, Brianna couldn't hold back any longer.
"Mrs. Johnson, it's been a while," she greeted her face, a carefully composed mask of sociable grace.
Madison flinched, her complexion turning ashen as she stood up straight.
"Hello, Miss Smith."
"I almost thought I was mistaken, but it really is you..." Brianna kept up her poised smile, conversing with Madison with feigned familiarity as if the two had been close in the past.
Madison, unaccustomed to such a warm reception, having only met Brianna once before, approached the conversation cautiously.
"I came with a friend," Madison said coolly.
Brianna, still unsure whether Madison was indeed with Matthew, tried another angle.
"Matthew called me this morning, asking if I'd accompany him tonight. Mr. L has helped me out quite a bit recently, and I felt a bit awkward turning it down. I suppose Matthew is probably a little upset with me now."
Standing there, Madison's face grew even paler, and she seemed close to losing her balance. Clutching her glass tightly, it looked as though she might crush it in her hand.
So that's how it was. He'd come alone tonight because Brianna had refused him, preferring to save a place by his side for her.
The flowers he sent, the priorities he claimed, the talks of reconciliation—were they all just for the sake of the kids? Was it all just settling out of desperation?
She thought her heart had settled, but his actions and words reopened wounds. Now, with the truth out, her heart clenched again, and she bit her lip, drawing blood.
Brianna's eyes flashed with smugness and malice as she watched Madison. Having gotten her way, she turned on her four-inch heels and strutted away.
In the VIP lounge, Brian approached Matthew and bent down to whisper in his ear.
"Matthew, the lady is in the main hall, and Brianna is here too. She even went to talk to her a minute ago."
Hearing Madison might be around, Matthew quickly stood up, excused himself, and headed out.
He eventually found her sitting on a couch in a corner, head bowed low.
As Matthew was about to approach, Brianna blocked his path.
"Matthew—" she cooed.
He paused, shot her a glance, and tried to move past her.
Brianna clutched his arm, her voice tinged with a plea, "Matthew, won't you spend a few minutes talking to me?"
Matthew stopped, his voice cold, "I thought we had made ourselves clear last time. There's nothing left to discuss." Pulling his arm free, he left Brianna standing there, her face turning pale.
She grabbed at his sleeve again, tears in her eyes, her voice softly trembling, "Matthew, can't we even remain friends after all these years?"
He halted in his tracks.
"I think my wife might mind."
With that, he didn't look back and walked away.
‘His wife...’
He had mentioned his wife—had they gotten back together? But Madison's earlier demeanor didn't reflect what he was suggesting.
Brianna stared at Matthew's retreating figure, her heart unwilling to let go.
Matthew hadn't expected to be delayed by Brianna, and by the time he was free, Madison had vanished.
He took out his phone and tried to call her, but there was no answer.
He realized she must have gone home. Snatching the car keys from Brian, he raced off toward New River Gardens.
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