As soon as the car door opened, Catherine stepped forward but it wasn't Raymond who got out of the car. It was his assistant John instead, carrying a gift for Catherine since Raymond had an unexpected appointment and wouldn't be able to make it home for dinner tonight.
When Catherine called earlier, asking him to come home for dinner, she didn't mention that Selena would also be there because she knew he'd refuse outright if Raymond had known that. After all, he left the country back then right after he knew about marrying her.
He was avoiding meeting Selena.
Catherine waved goodbye with a hint of disappointment on her face as John got back into the car.
"I know he's quite occupied... Never mind. just tell him to take care of himself."
Back in the living room, Catherine felt a little uneasy and waved her hand at Selena. "You can leave now. I'll call you again when he's available."
"Okay." Selena nodded as she never thought about staying for dinner.
She didn't see John's face, yet she was sure it wasn't Raymond, judging from his back. It didn't matter if they met today. The divorce agreement was already prepared anyway.
She got back into her car, heading to her own place. During a red-light break, Selena glanced at her work group chat. Despite being off work for hours, the group was incredibly active.
"I heard that Raymond is preparing to get married after he comes back. He bought a residence in Manhattan as soon as it went on sale. He has probably started furnishing already?"
"Matthew was Raymond's schoolmate at senior high. Will he get us the opportunity?"
"If we could design Raymond's wedding house, our value would increase by more than 100 times! His personal wealth abroad is enough to rank him among the top few on Forbes' list. As an international top capital operator from the Montague family, I would kill for a small chat with him!"
Except for a few people in their circle, no one knew that Raymond had already been married.
Even the media never gossiped about it.
Selena wasn't interested in designing his wedding house. Just when she was about to step on the gas pedal, she received a text message from her boss Matthew Clark.
Matthew: [Come to the 54 Club. A client is interested in your designs for those villas before. He wants to talk with you personally.]
Selena never meant to enter the industry of interior design. Originally, she studied painting. During her freshman year of college, she had a chance to design a villa set for one of her classmates which ended up being purchased by an oligarch at ten times its original price. It made her famous overnight.
Afterwards, she accepted the offer from her boss Matthew, and worked part-time as an interior designer in his studio.
As for why it was only a part-time job, she had her reasons.
After reading the text, Selena turned the steering wheel around. The 54 Club was the most popular entertainment venue among New York's new money. It had become a sign of wealth and power.
Upon arriving at the 54 Club entrance, Matthew sent another text.
Matthew: [I can't go to pick you up. Mr. Ashford said to have a friend bring you inside. Just wait at the door.]
The 54 Club operated on a membership system. Selena didn't have one here and could only wait for someone to take her in.
Meanwhile, Raymond received a call from Carter Ashford. "Ray, I have a friend I want to introduce you. She's waiting outside. Can you bring her in later?"
Carter glanced at the design in his hand and thought Raymond would like it. Besides, Raymond happened to have bought a residence recently. Carter knew that his cousin Raymond didn't lack anything but a proper designer was hard to come by.
Carter said, "This gift I'm giving you will surely meet your expectations."
Raymond didn't even have the chance to reply. The music on Carter's side was simply too loud, so Raymond didn't really hear what he said.
'What a playboy!' Raymond couldn't help but think as he hung up the phone. 'But what did he mean by a gift? A prostitute?'
Once Raymond got out of his car and saw a woman standing nearby. He seemed to have confirmed his guess.
As they approached each other closely enough for Raymond to see her face, he realized that it was indeed the woman he had just met in bed earlier that morning.
Raymond's outstanding figure and noble aura were too much of a standout. Even in the 54 Club, where everyone was rich, he could still stand out in his custom-made black suit.
Originally, Raymond found it strange that she left in such a rush this morning. But now he seemed to figure out the reason. Probably Carter had already paid her beforehand.
He asked, "You're the one Carter mentioned?"
Selena was surprised that Raymond would initiate a conversation with her, and when she heard him mention Carter, she assumed that it must be Mr. Ashford who Matthew mentioned. So Mr. Ashford's friend was Raymond, and he wanted to introduce her to Raymond? 'Does Mr. Ashford want me to design Raymond's wedding house?' Selena thought.
For a moment, Selena found it funny. Before the divorce was finalized, she, his ex-wife-to-be, was invited to design a wedding house for her ex-husband-to-be and his future wife. How ironic!
Yet she was not ashamed of supporting her own life with her own skills, so she wouldn't turn down such an offer despite its awkwardness.
"I probably am, Mr. Montague," Selena replied politely.