h4Chapter 165: Seeing Things/h4

    The sleek ck car slowed to a graceful stop in front of the grand event hall, where a red carpet was already unfurled and shing lights from cameras danced across the exterior.

    People in elegant gowns and tuxedos milled about,ughter and champagne flowing freely under the bright chandeliers spilling light from the ss doors.

    Thanks to Mr Rogers, who’d taken extreme measures not to cause issues for Stefan, paparazzies weren’t trying to approach Stefan or Ruby to ask about anything.

    Ruby stepped out first, holding Stefan’s hand for bnce. Her emerald green gown shimmered with every step, hugging her figure delicately while ttering her growing, yet unnoticeable bump.

    Rayna followed closely behind, stunning in her sun kissed beige dress with delicate beadwork around the neckline and a daring slit. Ethan, dressed sharply in a tailored ck suit with a matching tie, looked as if he belonged on the cover of a magazine.

    "I’ll admit," Rayna said, ncing around the magnificent scene, "this ce looks like a movie set."

    "It’s their thirtieth anniversary," Ethan said, smiling with approval. "From what I know, Mr Rogers doesn’t do anything halfway."

    "No kidding," Rayna murmured, taking in the gold-trimmed marble columns, the glimmering crystal chandeliers, and the soft ssical music floating through the air. "This is beyond gorgeous."

    Ruby looked up at Stefan, her voice low. "I hope he is convinced today, otherwise the board wouldn’t be happy if we lose Mr Rogers."

    "I’ll do what I can and hope for the best result but if things really don’t turn out well, then there’s nothing else I can do."

    They stepped inside, weed with flutes of champagne and warm greetings from the hosts. The hall was massive, with intricate floral arrangements on every table, soft lighting that made the air feel magical, and waiters gliding across the room like trained dancers.

    "I need to go find Mr. Rogers," Stefan whispered to Ruby as a waiter passed with appetizers. "I need to get this over with before the event starts."

    Ruby nodded, her face suddenly serious. "Okay. Should Ie with you now?"

    "I’ll go check in first," Stefan replied. "Wait here, I’lle get you."

    He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and walked off into the crowd, weaving through clusters of well-dressed guests until he spotted a familiar face.

    Mr. Rogers’s secretary, dressed in a sleek dark blue suit, was speaking to someone near the buffet table. Stefan approached her.

    "Excuse me—Ms. rk?"

    She turned and gave him a professional smile. "Mr. Winters. Mr. Rogers has been expecting you. He specifically asked to speak with you and your date as soon as you arrived."

    "I’ll go get her now," Stefan said, inclining his head politely.

    Back near the entrance, Ruby, Ethan, and Rayna stood together. Rayna had her arm looped through Ethan’s and was happily observing the glitz and mour around them. When Stefan returned, he leaned close to Ruby.

    "Come on, he’s ready for us."

    Rayna smiled. "Go charm your investor."

    "You two have fun without us," Ruby teased lightly, adjusting her purse. She gave Rayna a knowing nce and then let Stefan lead her into the crowd.

    Though she was smiling, trying to hold herself together, deep down, she was just scared and nervous.

    Once they were out of sight, Ethan turned to Rayna with a lighthearted sigh. "I really hope this goes well. Mr. Rogers isn’t just any investor. He’s probably the most important one Stefan has. If he pulls out... it could mess up more than just the numbers."

    Rayna didn’t respond. She wasn’t even looking at him. Her gaze had shifted across the hall, eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. Her grip on Ethan’s arm had subtly tightened as well.

    "Babe?" he asked, noticing the way her posture had stiffened.

    She was staring toward one of the far hallways, just off the edge of the grand dining room. A woman in a silvery dress had just turned the corner, her hair flowing behind her in familiar waves.

    "Did you see that?" Rayna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Ethan followed her line of sight, but whoever she’d seen was gone. "See what?"

    "I thought I saw someone who looked like Ivy," Rayna said slowly, her brows still drawn together. "She looked just like Ruby... same face, same hair... but it wasn’t the same dress. Ruby’s wearing green. This one was in silver so it has to be Ivy."

    "Ivy?" Ethan blinked, confused but Rayna just kept staring at the hallway like it might offer some confirmation to her im.

    Ethan touched her elbow gently. "Babe, are you sure? This ce is packed. Maybe you just saw someone who looked like her."

    Rayna bit her lip. "I don’t know. It looked exactly like her. And I know I sound crazy, but—what if she’s really here?"

    Ethan’s brows rose. "How would she even get into an event like this? It’s strictly invitation-only."

    Rayna didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze lingered a moment longer. Then she slowly exhaled. "I understand that. How about we check? Just in case."

    Ethan hesitated but nodded. "Alright. Let’s go take a look."

    They began weaving through the guests, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of the mysterious figure. Rayna led them down the hallway where she thought she’d seen the woman go. It was quieter here, with fewer people around—mostly staff and caterers moving in and out of the kitchen area.

    They followed the path toward the side exit, ncing down the branching corridors and checking each alcove.

    But there was nothing.

    No sign of Ivy. No silver dress. No familiar face. No nothing.

    Rayna’s frown deepened. She stood still for a moment, scanning the space, trying to shake the disappointment. "I swear, Ethan... I really saw her."

    He reached out and touched her chin lightly. "I believe that you think you did. But maybe it was someone who just looked like her."

    Rayna exhaled heavily, not quite convinced. "I know what I saw."

    "I don’t doubt you," Ethan said softly. "But there’s no one here now. Maybe it was just a moment of coincidence."

    Rayna nodded slowly, though the unease remained. She wasn’t the type to imagine things, and her gut told her something strange was going on. But she also didn’t want to sound paranoid. Not tonight. Not with everything at stake.

    "Alright," she said after a pause. "Let’s go back before Ruby and Stefan return and start wondering where we are."

    Ethan gently ced his hand on the small of her back, guiding her back toward the event hall. "Come on. Let’s find some drinks and pretend we weren’t just chasing anyone."

    Rayna gave a weak chuckle, but her thoughts lingered on what she’d seen. Or thought she’d seen.

    Away from there, the silence in Mr. Rogers’ office was almost stifling. The soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound as Ruby and Stefan sat across from the older man, their expressions solemn, their backs straight, and their hands lightly sped under the table, waiting to hear what he had to say after they’d exined everything to him in detail.

    Mr. Rogers, a seasoned businessman with sharp eyes that missed nothing, studied them with an unreadable expression. His fingers drummed thoughtfully against the armrest of his leather chair before he finally leaned forward, voice quiet but loaded with weight.

    "So, you’re saying she ran away, leaving her sister to marry you?"

    Stefan gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Yeah. I didn’t even know anything until a month ago when I regained my sight. This whole thing isn’t really as Ivy made it seem."

    Ruby kept her gaze low, fingers curling around her purse. Her heart was hammering against her ribs.

    Mr. Rogers tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "I see. But why then would she go to the extent of telling such a lie?"

    A muscle ticked in Stefan’s jaw as he tried to keep his temper in check. "I’m sure it’s to get back at me for divorcing her," he said, voice steady but clipped. "Ivy never took rejection well."

    Ruby stole a nce at him, and though his face wasposed, she saw it—the subtle strain around his eyes, the way he held his breath between sentences. He was nervous. And so was she.

    Mr. Rogers nodded slowly, his fingers ceasing their drumming. "Hmm... I see. How about we ask her directly?"

    The air shifted instantly and both Ruby and Stefan stiffened, confusion shing across their faces. Ruby’s stomach dropped.

    "Ask who?" Stefan asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

    "Ivy," Mr. Rogers said calmly. "Let’s ask Ivy about all you’ve said here today."

    Ruby’s heart skipped a beat—then mmed into her chest like a drum. She felt the blood drain from her face.

    "Ivy’s here?" she blurted, her voice a whisper as the question escaped her lips before she could stop it. Her entire body tensed, her hands turning mmy in herp.

    Mr. Rogers nodded, his expression calm, almost indifferent. "Well, I needed to know who’s telling the truth, so I specially invited her here."

    The moment hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst.

    Ruby’s chest tightened. She hadn’t seen Ivy since after that day at the hospital. And now... now she was just outside the door? Her breath came quicker, her pulse racing in her ears.

    Stefan instinctively reached to her, his hand finding hers. His fingers curled around hers reassuringly, squeezing gently, grounding her.

    The older man turned toward the door and pressed the inte button. "You can bring her in now," he said to his secretary.

    The seconds that followed were unbearable.

    Ruby’s eyes darted toward the door, her throat dry. Her thoughts whirled—Would Ivy twist things again? Would she lie more? Would she dare face her? She didn’t even realize her nails were digging into Stefan’s hand until he winced.

    The door creaked open slowly. And then, she walked in. Ivy, with a smirk on her face.