bChapter /bb185 /b

OLIVIA’S POV

I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling the soft weight of the gown settle perfectly against my skin. My gaze shifted immediately bto /bthe bthree /bbof /bbthem/b, waiting for a reaction.

But instead of words, all I saw were their stunned expressions–eyes widened, lips slightly parted. It felt like the entire room had paused for ba /bbmoment/b,

air held between us.

“Well?” I asked, breaking the silence. My voice seemed to pull them back to life.

Antonia blinked quickly, and ra stepped closer, her face lighting up. “This is the most beautiful dress I’ve seen you wear, ma’am,” she breathed bout/b. b“/bbIn /ball my years working for you.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. Praise wasn’t new to me, but something about the way they said it made my chest feel a little lighter. Still, I turned bto /bbthe /bmirror and studied my reflection carefully. “Hmm,” I murmured, turning slightly from side to side. “I feel like it’s a bit too tight, don’t you think?”

“No,” Antonia said immediately, her voice warm but firm. “It’s perfect. It hugs your figure in just the right way. It shows power, but still keeps its grace. K makes a statement without being loud.”

I paused, letting that sink in, then nodded slowly. “Well… I guess you’re right.”

A spark of excitement fluttered through me at the thought of walking into that auction hall, I could already imagine the eyes turning to look, bthe /bwhispers that would follow, and the message it would send: Olivia ke is not someone you overlook.

As I admired the way the fabric shimmered under the light, ra stepped closer behind me. Her reflection met mine in the mirror. “Sorry to ask this, ma’am, but… are you sure it’s okay to go to the auction when Adrian Westwood is going to be there? Even with all your security… is it safe?”

I let out a slow breath. The mention of his name brought an old, familiar tightness to my chest, but I kept my gaze steady. “I’ve thought about that too, ra,” I admitted, my voice calm but edged with determination. “It might not be safe. But I’m not the same woman I was five years ago. If he tries anything… he’ll learn quickly I’m not to be underestimated. And I’m getting that car today, no matter what.”

ra hesitated, worry still clouding her eyes. “I know the car is important, ma’am, but there are other factors you should consider.”

I turned fully to face her, a slight frown pulling at my brows. “Like what?”

She straightened her posture, her tone careful but unwavering. “Well, for starters, you–nned toe here and leave within a week, all without your father finding out. And we all know the auction is going to be broadcasted everywhere–newsb, /bsocial media, everywhere. If your father sees it, or if someone posts a picture of you winning the car, he’ll know you came to New York secretly.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Why didn’t I think of that? My mind had been so consumed by the n, by the revenge and the auction itself, that I overlooked the most obvious risk. I drew in a shaky breath, my eyes flickering away for a moment as I bit my fingernail lightly. “You’re rightb,/bb” /bbI /bwhispered, almost to myself.

“I gave it a hard thought yesterday,i” /ira continued gently, stepping closer, “but I also came up with a small solution–a solution that would take bcare /bbof /b

both sides at once.”

My gaze snapped back to her, curiosity pushing aside the worry. “And what’s that?” I asked.

She nodded once and walked over to the corner of the room where her bag was kept. The quiet rustle of fabric and zippers was bthe /bonly bsound /bbfor /bba /bmoment. Then she turned back, holding something close to her chest. I couldn’t see it clearly at first; her fingers hid most of it.

She stepped forward, the corners of her lips curving into a faint, knowing smile, and then she handed it to me.

A mask.

I held it in my hand, feeling the smooth, cool material under my fingertips. It wasn’t an ordinary mask either–it was red velvet bwith /bdelicate bgold /bembroidery swirling at the edges. Subtle, elegant, but mysterious enough to draw attention while still hiding my identity.

Chapter b185 /b

bI /bstared at it for a moment longer. It was such a simple idea, yet so clever.

“Where did you get thisb?/b” I asked ra, still turning the mask over in my hand, feeling its smooth surface against my fingars

“When you and Mr. Damien went out yesterday, I went to get it from a store nearby,” she said, her voice calm and matter of factb, /bbthough /bthere was a liart of pride in her eyes.

I looked up at her, a spark of genuine appreciation lighting in my chest. “This would shield my face at the auction–from both the cameras band /bbAdrian /bThis is brilliant, ra.” I stretched my hand toward her, palm open for a handshake.

She took it without hesitation. “That’s why I’m here, ma’am,” she replied softly. Her dedication never failed to amaze me.

“But how did you know it was a red dress I was going to wear today?” I asked, my brows raised in curiosity

“I didn’t,” she admitted, a small smile ying on her lips. “That red mask was theirst one. I guess fuck was just on your side today*

I nodded, slowly bringing the mask up to my face and fastening it behind my head. Turning toward the mirror, couldn’t help but stare at my reflection. The deep crimson of the mask matched the luxurious gown almost too perfectly, like it had been designed for it from the start. My eyes, visible through

the mask, seemed sharper, more mysterious.

“Wow, you look so beautiful even with the mask on,” Antonia murmured, almost to herself. The sincerity in her tone made me smile.

Before I could reply, there was a small knock on the door.

“Come in,” I called out, my voice steady.

The door opened, and Damien stepped inside. He was dressed impably in a dark tailored suit, his tie a subtle maroon thatplimented his features. He carried his usual confident grin, the one that always seemed half teasing, half genuine.

ra and the others took that as their cue. “We’ll be outside the doorb, /bma’am. Just call if you need us,” ra said, giving me a respectful nod.

With synchronized movements, the women filed out, giving Damien a polite bow as they passed.

“Ladies,” Damien acknowledged them with a small smile before turning his full attention to me. “Good morning,” he said, his gaze lingering on my dress.

“Good morning,” I replied, lifting the hem of my gown slightly so I could walk more easily toward him.

“You look amazing in that dress,” he said, his voice warmer than usual.

I tilted my head, teasing, “Thank you–it cost seventy–three thousand pounds.”

He raised his brows but didn’t look shocked. Instead, he chuckled softly. “I’m not surprised to hear that,” he said, stepping a bit closer, his eyes scanning the mask inow/i. “What’s with the mask though?” he asked, curiosity recing his amusement.

“So my dad wouldn’t see me on TV,” I replied, keeping my voice light. That was the truth, or at least part of it. I didn’t want to exin about Adrian–not right now, not before stepping into that auction.

“Smart,” he said simply, understanding written across/his face. He paused for a moment, as if debating whether to say something elseb, /bthen instead

offer

door. W

bAD /b

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