Revenge Wears My Ring novel Chapter 254

As Gwyneth finished her speech and turned gracefully toward the backstage, a restless energy lingered in the hall, charged with excitement and anticipation. The crowd’s buzz softened, but the air still crackled with expectation.

All anyone could talk about was the brief, dazzling appearance of Nimbus—and the blockbuster news that she would soon be taking up residence in Banyan City.

Online, headlines were instantly dominated by tags like #Nimbus Revealed and #Nimbus In Banyan City, with no surprises.

Back at the venue, though, a new spotlight had settled on Julian and Queenie.

People—some genuinely, some feigning friendliness—gathered around them, glasses raised and faces stretched into practiced smiles.

“Mr. Locke, congratulations! Dinner with the great Nimbus herself—what an incredible opportunity!”

“Mr. Locke, if any collaboration comes out of this, don’t forget your old friends!”

“Queenie really is your lucky star, Mr. Locke. Looks like this partnership is pretty much in the bag!”

Queenie basked in the flattery, her vanity thoroughly satisfied. Clinging tightly to Julian’s arm, chin lifted, she couldn’t hide the smug confidence on her face.

In her mind, the outcome was certain: once they met Nimbus, all she had to do was mention her connection to Gwyneth’s family. There was no way Nimbus would turn them down.

Securing this deal, saving Harvest Group—she would be the hero.

Julian, for the moment, managed to push aside that absurd thought—the one about how much Gwyneth resembled Nimbus. The pressure of reality and his desperate hunger for success had taken over completely.

He went through the motions, exchanging pleasantries with the people around him, but his mind had already leapt ahead to the crucial meeting to come.

At last, the gala drew to a close amidst a shared, unspoken anticipation.

People began to drift toward the exits, though many pairs of eyes still followed Julian with thinly veiled interest.

A well-trained attendant slipped quietly to Julian’s side, bowed slightly, and said in a low, professional voice, “Mr. Locke, Ms. Nimbus is waiting for you in the ‘Ink Harmony’ suite on the top floor. If you’d follow me, please.”

Julian straightened, took a steadying breath, and adjusted his tie, ready to leave.

But Queenie grabbed the sleeve of his jacket, her eyes urgent and pleading as she whispered, “Julian, take me with you. I can help—say a few words on your behalf…”

She was convinced that her presence, and her connections, would make everything go twice as smoothly.

Julian hesitated. She had a point. He turned to the attendant and asked, “Would it be possible for my guest to join me?”

The attendant’s polite smile didn’t falter, but his reply was swift and unequivocal. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Locke. Tonight’s dinner is by invitation only. Ms. Nimbus has requested your presence alone.”

The words landed like a soft slap across Queenie’s face.

Her smile froze, color draining from her cheeks, and her grip on Julian’s arm tightened so hard her nails nearly broke his skin.

Her gaze, calm and unreadable behind the mask, landed squarely on Julian.

His heart gave an inexplicable, violent jolt.

That damned sense of déjà vu—there it was again. Stronger than before.

“…Nimbus?” he ventured, choosing his words carefully, eyes fixed on her blue-clad silhouette. “Forgive me, but have we met before? You seem… oddly familiar.”

She shifted, just slightly.

Then, a soft, cold laugh—clear and unmistakably mocking—cut through the quiet, making Julian’s heart sink.

A moment later, her voice—cool, tinged with amusement—drifted across the room.

“Oh, we’ve met.”

Met? Julian’s pupils contracted, shock shooting through him.

Impossible! Nimbus had only just announced her return to the country. How could he have met her before?

Unless…