Chapter 22 She is Windy
With just one sentence, Fiona's face changed repeatedly. The smug satisfaction from earlier disappeared instantly, leaving behind a hint of embarrassment frozen on her face.
She understood the implications, that as Zachary's wife and family member, Winona didn't need to receive two invitations.
Fiona wanted to retort, but she noticed Mr. Baker still standing there, so she swallowed her words. She turned to bid farewell to Mr. Baker, not forgetting her objective. "Mr. Baker, I'll trouble you to keep an eye on Windy's whereabouts for me. Although she's not in the country, with your respected reputation in this circle, it should be easy to inquire about a common restoration artist like her. I'm willing to pay any amount as long as she agrees."
Mr. Baker glanced at Winona's cold expression, feeling awkward as he nodded before seeing Fiona off...
After work, as Winona left the studio, she spotted Zachary's car parked at the entrance.
It was a customized Bentley with an eye-catching license plate, not something one would often see even in the affluent area filled with luxury cars, let alone at a place like this. Naturally, it drew the attention of many people around.
Her phone in her hand vibrated, receiving a message from Zachary, "Come over."
Winona ignored him and headed straight towards her residential area.
She didn't want to become the current center of attention and the subject of gossip tomorrow. Back when she was at the Bailey Group, those people thought she had a wealthy second-generation boyfriend, and they would mock and ridicule her all day. That feeling was truly repulsive to her!
Zachary watched the woman walk away, his deep eyes narrowing as he suddenly let out a chuckle. However, that laugh sent shivers down anyone's spine...
Winona hadn't taken many steps when the man's car followed closely behind. The window rolled down, and Zachary's cold voice sounded, "Do you want me to use force?"
She furrowed her brows, knowing that this man was capable of saying and doing such things.
"I'm going back to change my clothes." After working all day, she had dust on her head and body.
Zachary fell silent, only using his inky black eyes to gaze at her, a coldness emanating from them like never before.
Winona failed to notice, until the car suddenly sped up next to her and screeched to a halt. The car door opened, and she was pulled into the car by a strong arm.
Her ankle hit the car frame, causing a sharp, excruciating pain to shoot through her.
Winona took a deep breath, and her eyes became red instantly.
At this moment, she really wanted to curse out loud. Is Zachary crazy?
"Change clothes?" Zachary pinned her down, his tone flat without any fluctuations, but anyone could tell he was angry. "Do you want to do your makeup and hair as well?"
Winona had no idea how her words had angered him. She turned her head, avoiding the man's fingers on her cheek, and calmly replied, "If you don't mind, I can go like this."
The outfit she was wearing was bought from a second-hand market, and the whole set cost less than five hundred dollars. Not to mention the brand, even the quality was barely acceptable.
If Mrs. Bailey were seen attending the banquet in this outfit, Zachary would surely be the most talked-about person.
After a moment of silence and stillness, the man let her go and instructed the person in the front seat, "Brian, go to Shelley."
Shelley was a unique styling studio that was highly sought after by wealthy young ladies in the circle. Any hairstyle there cost at least five figures.
The evening gown was brought by Dylan, leaning toward a more casual style, but it was still a high-end brand.
After everything was done, they arrived at River Garden, and it was already late.
Zachary threw the car keys to the doorman, taking Winona inside. Just before entering, he handed her the gift box he was holding.
In the lobby, people were mingling, laughing, and talking in small groups.
Winona's presence attracted most of the attention, with everyone avoiding Zachary beside her. No one dared to openly discuss her, but the mocking and disdainful eyes clearly conveyed - she had the audacity to come?
Zachary led her towards Matthew's direction. Today's banquet was not a formal business event, so Matthew was wearing just a white shirt and black trousers, accentuating his refined facial features, making him even more gentle and elegant.
Seeing Zachary, he smiled and said, "You're quite late. I thought I wouldn't see you until the end of today."
After saying that, he gave a slight nod towards Winona as a greeting.
Zachary asked, "Is Samuel here yet?"
"Not yet."
Winona stood by, her red lips pursed, and her gaze constantly drifting away.
She had no interest in their conversation and just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
When she was forced into a corner, the first person she turned to was actually Matthew, but he didn't give her a clear answer back then, and later...
Her proposal to him was leaked online, along with the public release of videos showing her and Zachary entering and leaving hotels. In an instant, she became a "fallen socialite" whom everyone accused of being shameless and seducing men.
Winona initially wanted to leave while they were talking, but as soon as she made a move, Zachary stopped her by holding onto her waist.
The man turned his head, almost smiling at her, but instead, he said, "If you move, don't blame me for it."
With a smile on his face, Zachary said, "Feeling tired? Give the gift to Matthew, I'll accompany you to the rest area for a while."
Winona's eyelid twitched, sensing an ominous feeling.
Although she didn't know what Zachary was up to, when had he ever spoken to her with such an indulgent expression?
Unusual behavior like this definitely meant trouble.
She held the gift in her hand, successfully diverting Matthew's attention to her. The surrounding gossiping gazes also turned towards her.
Winona remained silent for a few seconds and then handed the gift box, which felt like a hot potato, to Matthew.
Matthew took it casually, his expression unchanged. "Thank you."
His gaze then shifted to Zachary. "Zachary, you went through the trouble."
Zachary raised his chin slightly. "Go ahead and open it now."
Matthew didn't think much and followed the request, opening the box.
Inside the box was a custom-made watch from a top luxury brand.
Zachary's voice was calm. "Didn't you say you lost this watch before? During your last business trip, I took the opportunity to have it remade by the original designer."
As Winona saw the watch, her face turned incredibly pale!
Others didn't notice, but Zachary, who held her, distinctly felt her trembling, desperately restraining herself.
She forced herself to look away, coldly removing the hand that Zachary had placed on her waist, her voice trembling slightly. "I'll go to the restroom."
Zachary, with darkened eyes, watched the woman rush away. He pressed his cheek and his lips formed a cold arc.
Matthew observed their interaction and couldn't make sense of it. "What's wrong with this watch?"
"Nothing," Zachary replied coldly, lacking interest. He adjusted the wrinkles on his shirt. "You go ahead."
Having said that, he walked in the direction that Winona had left.
In the restroom, Winona forcefully closed the partition door, feeling as if all her strength had been drained away. She leaned against the door, exhausted.
She had been married to Zachary for three years, and she hadn't seen him wear this watch ever since they got married.
If it wasn't for this watch that night, she wouldn't have ended up in the wrong bed...
And wouldn't have suffered through these torturous three years of marriage.
After an unknown amount of time, a conversation could be heard in the quiet restroom. "Winona actually had the nerve to come here? If I were her, I would have drowned myself in a basin as soon as Matthew posted the recording online."
"Back then, her reputation was already ruined. I really don't know how she got lucky and didn't marry Matthew, but instead married the even more outstanding Mr. Bailey!" The woman let out a mocking laugh. "Who in the circle doesn't know about her past? And who knows what Mr. Bailey was thinking while marrying her!"
The person next to her continued, "Maybe she's particularly skilled in bed, like her hand technique is amazing, and..."
Before the person could finish, the restroom door was pushed open...
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