"Mum, let's leave this rotten girl. We have a party to attend," Shante sneered, and with a final scowl, she and her mother left the room.
Xsmyv sighed, relieved but saddened as she gently wiped her uncle's hands and feet, hoping for any sign of life from him. Her phone chimed, and she saw a message from Jesse: a makeup artist was already en route to the villa. She leaned close to her uncle and whispered, "I'll visit again soon, Uncle." With a final glance, she left the room, still wishing he'd show some sign of recovery.
In the garage, Jasper waited patiently, opening the car door as she approached.
At Lakeview Villa, Xsmyv spotted the makeup artist setting up. "I'm sorry for being late," she apologized, taking a seat.
The artist smiled, starting her work. She dolled Xsmyv up with careful strokes, bringing out her natural beauty. "Madam, do you use any particular skincare products?"
"No, not really," Xsmyv replied with a shy smile.
"Really? Your skin is so smooth and radiant!" The artist looked amazed.
Xsmyv blushed, pleased with the compliment. After finishing her makeup, she slipped into the yellow gown, and the artist helped style her long hair into a sleek ponytail.
As Xsmyv was putting on the finishing touches, Jesse entered the room in a navy-blue suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and tall frame. His gaze settled on Xsmyv, and he couldn't look away. The yellow dress highlighted her figure—her delicate collarbone, tiny waist, and shapely curves. When she turned, her graceful posture and confident elegance left him momentarily speechless.
Xsmyv looked up and noticed him watching her, his expression warm and admiring. She felt a rush of shyness but couldn't help but admire him too—he looked incredibly handsome, his presence commanding in the sharp suit.
Jesse walked up to her, his gaze warm as he said, "You look beautiful, wife."
Xsmyv blushed, a shy smile appearing on her face.
"Wait a minute, something is missing," he remarked, turning to head upstairs. While she'd been at the mall, Jesse had arranged for a delivery of luxurious outfits, shoes, bags, and accessories to fill her wardrobe. He walked into the jewelry closet and chose a breathtaking sapphire diamond necklace he'd selected earlier, a piece he felt would add the perfect touch.
Returning to her, he held up the necklace. "Please, turn around."
The dazzling necklace caught Xsmyv's eye, and she drew a small breath at its brilliance, feeling almost unworthy of something so exquisite. "Are you sure I can wear this?" she asked, uncertain.
"Of course you can," he replied gently. "My wife can wear anything."
Xsmyv turned, and he placed the necklace around her neck, his fingertips lightly brushing her skin as he secured the clasp. The delicate contact sent a shiver through her, making her feel both excited and vulnerable. When she turned back to face him, their eyes met, and her cheeks flushed a soft red.
Jesse noticed her shy reaction and smiled, an eyebrow slightly raised in amusement. His hands moved to rest on her waist, pulling her a bit closer.
"Shall we?" he asked, his voice smooth.
"Yes," she replied softly, her heartbeat quickening.
Jesse led her to the doorway, where Lazarus, the chauffeur, held the car door open for them. As they settled inside, the butler and head maid saw off the makeup artist, presenting her with a gift in thanks for her work.
They rode to the evening event together.
The AD Group Annual Party was truly the event of the season, a prestigious gathering where only the highest echelons of society mingled, shared business insights, and established alliances. The elite guests, who had received exclusive invitations, saw this as an opportunity not just for socializing but for potential business mergers and even strategic marriages. This year, Jesse Adams, the elusive and highly sought-after bachelor from the illustrious Adams family, was the unspoken focal point for many ambitious families hoping to secure a powerful alliance.
Among the crowd, Madam Adams walked confidently, arm-in-arm with Cynthia, a young woman she'd taken an interest in, hoping to hint at a potential match with Jesse. Cynthia, with Madam Adams by her side, relished the attention and made it clear to other women that she considered herself the family's favored choice for Jesse's bride. The elder women at the party observed the two together, and rumors began to spread, with many assuming Cynthia was the Adams family's chosen bride-to-be.
Meanwhile, Shante and her mother, Claire, wandered around, awed by the glamour and exclusivity of the event. The decorations and influential guests, including senators and high-profile families like the Brahams, Reese, and Adams, made them realize the magnitude of the gathering. Shante was especially thrilled; her boyfriend, Aaron, was conveniently away on a business trip, leaving her free to pursue other ambitions.
"Mum, isn't that the Senate President's family? And look, the top families—the Brahams, the Reeses, and the Adams—are all here," Shante whispered, wide-eyed.
Claire and her daughter mingled with the friends Claire had charmed at the spa. Although the party had already begun, the main host had yet to arrive, adding a sense of anticipation.
"Mum, I'm so glad Aaron is away on a trip. I wouldn't have wanted him to see me here tonight. But if I can catch Jesse Adams' attention, no one would ever look down on me again."
"Yes, darling. These are the people we need to connect with," Claire replied, eyes glinting with ambition as they mingled with acquaintances from the spa who were equally eager to rub shoulders with the influential guests.
Suddenly, a commotion at the entrance diverted everyone's attention. The guests murmured excitedly as Jesse's name echoed through the hall, drawing immediate interest. Camera flashes exploded as reporters tried to capture the mysterious Jesse Adams, a man whose public appearances were rare and carefully controlled. Jesse and Xsmyv arrived with an aura of elegance and exclusivity, with guards quickly stepping in to shield them from the intrusive reporters. Lazarus spoke sternly with the security, who then confiscated cameras and ensured all photos of Jesse and his wife were deleted. The Adams family's reputation alone was enough to terrify the reporters, who realized that defying this command could result in severe repercussions, even the hostile takeover of their companies.
As the guards took control of the media situation, Jesse held Xsmyv's hand, and they entered the grand hall together, their poised entrance drawing every eye in the room. Cynthia, watching from across the hall, felt her excitement spike. She planned to use this evening to demonstrate to all the guests that she was the ideal match for Jesse, the soon-to-be mistress of the Adams family.