I Became the Billionaire's Fake Lover to Get My Revenge
Chapter 41: Pray

Chapter 41: Pray

Anna’s breath hitched as her eyes finally landed on the person approaching them. Elegant features, perfect posture, and a regal aura that was unmistakable. The most famous socialite and philanthropist, the woman who had been Anna’s role model for many years.

Amelie Bennett.

"Ladies, Gabriel, it’s my greatest pleasure to introduce to you the woman who is the main reason we are all gathered here––Mrs. Amelie Bennett."

William nodded at Anna, his gaze sweeping over the group as he made introductions one by one. "This is Mrs. Giselle and her daughter, Ms. Sophie Bastien. This tall, curly chap is Gabriel Garrel, and this is," he paused, raising an eyebrow in mock confusion, "I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met."

"My name––" Susanne began, but William cut her off, smoothly continuing, "And, of course, you’ve already heard about my special lady, Miss Chloe Dumas."

"Yes, of course," Amelie replied, greeting Anna with a warm smile. "How have you been, Chloe?"

"I’ve been well, thank you. I feel so honored to be invited to such an amazing event!"

Amelie’s smile widened at Anna’s genuine blush. "It’s only natural that you were invited. You’ve helped me so much in the past even though I didn’t even know it was you all along! I’m counting on your keen eye tonight as well."

She winked, and Anna nodded, struggling to suppress a wide smile. She knew it was all an act––after all, Anna had never personally met Amelie Bennett before. This performance had clearly been orchestrated by William.

But she was also surprised that William didn’t stick to their initial plan––Amelie was supposed to be the judge of her accent. Or, perhaps she still would.

Nevertheless, the shared looks of envy and admiration crossing everyone’s faces made it all worth it.

"Mr. Stark, I hope you’re ready to have a drink with my husband, Liam, after the main event," Amelie said, turning to William with a smile. "My husband has been eager to see you; he treats you like his older brother."

"He’s one of my most trusted partners," William responded, returning the compliment. "I treat him like family as well. Though, he can be a bit of a troublemaker—but what younger brother isn’t?"

They both shared a lighthearted laugh, while Anna continued scanning the crowd, her eyes moving over the guests’ faces, reading their reactions.

Sophie leaned closer to Anna, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "Ms. Dumas, you’re one lucky woman! You’re so well-connected, I can’t help but feel a bit envious. Maybe when my mother was pushing me to study under Mrs. Garrel’s wing, I should have taken her offer!"

Sophie giggled, and her tone suggested no malice, but Anna was uninterested in her words. The only envy that mattered to her was Susanne’s.

Anna deliberately turned her gaze in Susanne’s direction, her cold eyes locking onto her as if silently daring her to make a move. Susanne, however, only forced a smile, struggling to mask the bitter frown of jealousy tugging at her lips.

That’s right. Who’s learning their place now?

"I hope you’ll excuse me," Amelie’s soft voice interrupted Anna’s thoughts, gentle and apologetic. "There are a few more people I need to personally greet before the main event begins. Please, enjoy a few more drinks, and I’ll see you later in the auction hall."

Amelie smiled at the small crowd once more before gracefully walking away to greet other guests. Mrs. Bastien, perhaps prompted by her daughter, asked Gabriel about his grandmother, while Susanne leaned closer to Sophie, whispering something into her ear.

Sophie nodded in response, and with that, Susanne discreetly pulled away from their group, making her way through the mingling crowd toward the hallway.

William, noticing her departure, gave Anna’s arm a gentle squeeze. Leaning close, he whispered, his lips hidden behind the rim of his wine glass, "Follow her. Make sure everything’s fine."

Anna gave a subtle nod, glancing around to ensure no one was watching her before quietly slipping away in pursuit of Susanne.

Where is she headed? Isn’t that the room where they’re keeping the paintings for the auction?

She took careful steps, deliberately quieting the sound of her heels on the polished floor. The hum of activity around her, with servers weaving through the crowd and engaging in low conversations, provided the perfect cover for her movements.

Eventually, Susanne stopped just in front of the door to the room where the auction pieces were stored. She paused, glanced around, then swiftly opened the door and disappeared inside. Anna, keeping a safe distance, pressed herself against the wall near the door, straining to catch any sound from within.

Once again, fortune was on her side. She could hear every word.

"What are you doing here?" Susanne’s voice hissed, laced with annoyance. "What if someone saw you come in? There are cameras everywhere!"

"I don’t feel good about this, Suzy," the man’s voice replied, and Anna instantly recognized it—Oscar. "I just came here to make sure everything was alright."

"Stop acting so strange, it’s really starting to get on my nerves!" Susanne snarled again, her voice sharp with frustration. "You covered it up, didn’t you? You told me it looked fine—so why are you still so nervous?"

"I don’t know... I just don’t feel right about it," Oscar admitted, his voice tinged with unease. "What if they notice the paint is still a little too fresh?"

"They already know you had to resubmit your work," Susanne snapped. "It’s completely normal for it to be fresh! Stop wasting my time with this pointless worrying!"

Oscar seemed to calm down at last, his tense shoulders relaxing. "It better work, Susanne," he muttered, his tone now more serious. "We really need this money... and the connections."

"Don’t I know it," Susanne smirked, her eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of ambition and calculation. "Now, let’s get out of here before anyone notices we’ve been in here."

With that, the two of them quietly slipped out of the room, moving swiftly and cautiously as they made their way back to the main hall.

Hidden in the shadows behind a column, Anna watched them leave, a wicked grin tugging at the corners of her lips. Yes, you’d better pray, Susanne. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Though I doubt it’ll do you any good now.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.