Revenge Wears My Ring novel Chapter 252

Julian didn’t look at her. His gaze was fixed on the blur of city lights racing past the car window.

He knew tonight was no longer some straightforward business negotiation. This was all or nothing—a battle for his dignity, his standing, and everything his future depended on.

Failure simply wasn’t an option.

The car rolled to a stop at the end of the red carpet.

As the door swung open, a blinding barrage of camera flashes instantly zeroed in.

Julian drew a deep breath, forcing his signature, slightly arrogant smile onto his face. Taking Queenie’s hand, he stepped out into the glare.

But something was different tonight. The usual chorus of cheers from the press was noticeably thin. When the cameras saw it was the two of them, some even shifted away with an awkward pause.

Online, the live feed was instantly flooded with a wave of ridicule and scorn:

Bad luck! Why is it them?

Homewrecker and her cheating boyfriend still have the nerve to show up? Shameless!

Father Nimbus, don’t meet with them!

Harvest Group is about to fold, yet they’re still trying to grab the spotlight?

But if they really get to meet Nimbus—that’s infuriating!

Each glance, every stinging comment scrolling past on the livestream, was like an invisible needle pricking at the mask Queenie tried desperately to hold in place.

Julian himself had never faced stares like these. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes flashed coldly.

He shot a look at Duncan, who immediately leaned on the show’s director to shift the cameras elsewhere.

With hardly a break in stride, Julian led Queenie quickly into the venue.

As they entered the grand, brilliantly lit ballroom, the gentle music and low murmur of conversation seemed to abruptly mute, as if someone had pressed pause.

Almost every head—deliberately or not—turned their way.

Everyone here was either wealthy or powerful, and well aware of the scandal flooding the news feeds and the crisis brewing within Harvest Group.

Whispers had long been circulating in the elite circles: how Julian had betrayed Gwyneth, how Queenie had clawed her way into the limelight.

But after a brief, awkward silence, the calculations of business interests quickly overrode any moral judgment.

After all, no matter how messy Julian’s reputation was, he was still Yale’s son, the rightful heir to Locke Group.

And, more importantly—

He held tonight’s most coveted ticket: the exclusive private dinner with the enigmatic designer, Nimbus.

What did that mean?

It meant the chance to forge a close personal bond with Nimbus, to open doors to countless future deals and untold profits.

The mood thawed instantly.

These people’s fawning meant nothing to him.

Tonight, he had only one target.

The private dinner with Nimbus that was about to begin.

That was his last, best shot—his lifeline to reclaim his power.

He would not let Bennett overshadow him, not tonight.

He had to win.

Suddenly, the soft music faded, and everyone’s attention was drawn to the curved staircase on the second floor.

There stood the same lively host from the charity gala, smiling at the top of the stairs, microphone in hand, effortlessly commanding the room’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening! I know everyone has gathered tonight for one reason—”

He paused deliberately, building the suspense, then raised his voice with theatrical flair:

“So let’s not drag this out any longer! Please join me in welcoming tonight’s true star—Nimbus!”

As his words rang out—

Snap!

A dazzling, moon-cool spotlight cut through the darkness, illuminating the top of the stairs in a blaze of white light.