Chapter 155 Too Late

Chapter 155 Too Late

"I'm telling the truth." Henry chuckled softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Sophia's shoulder. "Alright, we should get going."

That evening's business gala was the city's premier social event. The venue was luxuriously appointed with dazzling crystal chandeliers, an elite gathering of influential figures mingling with champagne glasses in hand.

When Henry appeared at the ballroom entrance with Sophia on his arm, they instantly commanded the attention of the entire room.

The man cut an imposing figure in his black tuxedo—tall, distinguished, with an aura of aristocratic reserve. The woman was breathtakingly radiant, her bearing elegant and poised.

Standing together, they looked like a perfect couple; it was impossible to look away.

"Is that Mr. Windsor with Ms. Brown! Are they really together?"

"They look incredible together! Absolutely perfect!"

"Sophia is stunning tonight! That presence—she's more dazzling than any A-list celebrity!"

"I heard yesterday at the department store, Clara tried to frame her for shoplifting, but Mr. Windsor shut her down on the spot. The Windsor Group's entire legal team is apparently involved now. Clara's really in for it this time."

"Clara brought it on herself. She doesn't know her place—trying to mess with the Windsor family? Pure delusion."

Various whispered conversations and curious glances were directed their way, but Sophia appeared completely unbothered.

She gracefully held Henry's arm, wearing an appropriate smile as she composed herself while greeting approaching guests.

Whether fielding questions from business moguls or navigating probing remarks from society matrons, she handled everything with aplomb.

Never subservient yet never impolite, she displayed more poise than most so-called socialites.

In an inconspicuous corner of the ballroom, Oliver and Clara had arrived early.

Clara had been bailed out by Oliver at considerable expense.

Oliver's dissatisfaction with Clara had only intensified, though he refrained from showing it publicly for the sake of his reputation.

Clara had dressed meticulously in a white strapless gown adorned with white feathers on the skirt, attempting to maintain her usual image of delicate innocence.

But when she saw Sophia's smoke-gray dress, her expression immediately soured. Both wore strapless designs, yet Sophia's gown appeared sophisticated and elegant while hers looked like cheap costume jewelry.

In Sophia's presence, Clara appeared dull and unremarkable, even shabby.

From the moment Sophia appeared, Oliver found it nearly impossible to tear his gaze away from her.

He watched her radiant smile beside Henry, observed her gracefully handling conversations from all sides. That luminous confidence was something he'd never seen in her before.

The Sophia of the past had always been somewhat cautious around him, never daring to speak too loudly.

But now she was like a blooming rose—so dazzling that she couldn't be ignored.

His heart felt squeezed by something, accompanied by an indescribable pang of regret.

Clara keenly detected the fascination and bewilderment in Oliver's gaze, and crisis and jealousy surged through her.

She gripped her wine glass so tightly her nails nearly pierced her palm, causing drops of red wine to slosh out and stain her dress with dark spots.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. This wasn't the time to lose her temper; she had to maintain her image in front of Oliver and not give Sophia any advantage.

After several incidents that had displeased Oliver, Clara was genuinely on edge.

Henry was soon surrounded by several important business partners engaged in hushed conversations about collaboration projects.

Sophia whispered to him, "You go ahead and talk business. I'll check out the dessert station. I'm craving some cake."

Henry nodded, his eyes showing a hint of concern, "Don't wander too far."

"I won't." Sophia smiled and headed toward the dessert area.

The dessert station was exquisitely arranged, with various flavors of cakes and pastries displayed in glass cases—a feast for the eyes.

Sophia's gaze searched through the display case, finally settling on a Black Forest cake. It was her favorite flavor—sweet but not cloying, with a subtle chocolate aroma.

Just as she was about to ask a server to cut her a slice, an elegant cake garnished with cherries appeared before her.

The hand holding the cake had defined knuckles and wore a familiar watch on the wrist—a birthday gift she'd once given to Oliver.

Sophia turned her head and, as expected, found Oliver standing beside her, holding the cherry cake.

He wore a charcoal gray suit with his hair impeccably styled, though the bloodshot in his eyes betrayed his sleepless night.

"You used to love this flavor."

Oliver's voice was somewhat low, his complex gaze fixed on her, his tone carrying a barely detectable note of appeasement. "I saw this at the dessert station and got you a piece."

Sophia looked at the cake and suddenly found it rather laughable.

She didn't take it, merely raised her cool eyes to glance at Oliver dismissively, her tone dripping with undisguised sarcasm, "Oliver, you don't even know I'm allergic to fruit preserves. How would you know what flavors I used to like?"

She paused, her gaze falling on the cherry sauce atop the cake. "Are you trying to make me eat this so I'll have an allergic reaction and end up in the hospital for a few days?"

Oliver's hand holding the cake froze instantly, his expression becoming rigid.

Allergic to fruit preserves? He'd never known this. Whenever Sophia ate cherry-related desserts in the past, she would always pick out the fruit sauce first. He'd simply assumed she didn't like it, never considering it was an allergy.

Recalling it now, her instances of secretly taking medication after allergic reactions, hiding on the balcony to sneeze—these memories suddenly became crystal clear, filling him with a wave of regret and guilt.

"I... I didn't know..."

He opened his mouth, his voice becoming stammered, holding the cake awkwardly—unable to offer it or set it down. "I just saw the cherries and thought you'd like them."

"Thought?"

Sophia let out a light laugh full of mockery. "Oliver, we were married for three years, and you can't even remember my basic allergies. Now you're telling me you 'thought I'd like it'? Are you having regrets now that you've lost what you had, trying to make amends with a piece of cake and put on a show of genuine remorse?"

Her gaze pointedly glanced toward a nearby pillar where a flash of white fabric had appeared. Clara had been following Oliver but hadn't approached them directly.

"Don't forget, your true love is watching from over there. Aren't you afraid she'll cry and make a scene about me bullying her when she sees you offering me cake and trying to win me over?"

Oliver followed her gaze and indeed saw Clara hiding behind the pillar, half her face visible, her eyes venomously fixed on them. The gentle smile she'd worn earlier had completely vanished.