Wife You Discarded is a Billionaire's Crush novel Chapter 7

He was dressed in a pristine, custom-tailored black suit, his dark hair impeccably styled.

The cuffs of his shirt were rolled back just enough to reveal a Patek Philippe watch. Every move he made exuded an air of power and success.

Seated beside him was Sylvia, wearing a chic white power suit. Her long hair was styled in glamorous waves that cascaded down her back. She had a commanding presence, but next to Cedric, she looked almost delicate, like a woman basking in her man's strength.

Across from them sat a foreign man in his late forties or early fifties.

It wasn't a romantic dinner for two; they were closing a business deal. But the sight of them together still sent a painful jolt through Liliana.

As she took them in, their eyes were on her.

Cedric's gaze narrowed almost imperceptibly. The woman in front of him wore a stunning burgundy gown that draped over her frame, her hair falling around her shoulders like a dark waterfall. Her delicate face was a captivating mix of innocence and allure. He had always known she was beautiful, but he had never seen her like this. In their two years of marriage, he had never taken her to a formal event. He was used to seeing her in comfortable clothes at home. This version of Liliana was a revelation, and for a fleeting moment, he was stunned.

*So, this is her new tactic,* he thought, a familiar cynicism returning. *She must have found out where I'd be from Timothy and staged this little encounter.* A faint, mocking smile touched his lips. He saw right through her pathetic little games.

"Mr. Forrest, do you know her?" the foreign man asked in fluent French, noticing how long Cedric had been staring.

Cedric tore his eyes away, his voice flat. "I don't."

Did she really think he would throw her a lifeline just because she showed up? Not a chance.

The opening notes of the piece were soft, not quite loud enough to drown out their conversation. Liliana knew the music by heart, so she didn't need to look at the score. Her gaze kept drifting back to the table. Cedric was leaning toward Sylvia, his arm resting casually on the back of her chair. Sylvia switched effortlessly between French, discussing the deal with their client, and English, whispering comments to Cedric.

Liliana understood French, but the technical jargon of their business was lost on her. What she did understand was the easy chemistry between Cedric and Sylvia.

They spoke in glances and finished each other's sentences, moving in perfect sync as a team while they negotiated with the foreign representative.

The five-minute piece felt like an eternity.

When the last note faded, the sound of their conversation became clear again.