Chapter 84 A DRINK WITH RAVYN VALE
As I approached him, Mrs. Lennox immediately turned to leave, but I intentionally staggered toward her direction and ran into her, deliberately spilling the water on her dress.
“Oh my God!” I gasped as the water splashed across the fabric of her gown.
I immediately reached for the nearest table, grabbing a napkin and quickly handing it to her.
“I’m so sorry,” I said as her gaze met mine.
For a brief second, I saw fury flash in her eyes—like she was about to explode in anger. But just as quickly, she masked it with a smile as she took the napkin from me.
“It’s okay,” she said, giving me one of those smiles that never quite reached her eyes. She began dabbing at her dress, and then I felt her gaze drop to my heels before she slowly looked back up at me.
“Seems you’re having trouble walking in those,” she said, her voice soft and polite.
Returning her rather fake smile, I replied,
“Was it that noticeable? I’m not really a high-heels type of girl.”
She smiled.
“I totally understand you,” she said kindly. “But do you want me to give you a tip? Release the tension in your legs, let your muscles relax, and try not to be too cautious when wearing them.”
Anyone looking at her would probably call her the perfect wife.
She was lovely.
Polite.
Graceful.
But I could see right through her.
Beneath that composed exterior was anger—raw and sharp—and it showed clearly in her eyes.
“Thank you so much for the tip,” I said with a well-practiced smile. “And once again, I’m really sorry if I nearly ruined your dress.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she replied smoothly. “It’s just water. It will dry off in no time. I should get going now—I have more guests to welcome before my son arrives.”
She sounded so convincing.
The way pride filled her voice when she mentioned her son could easily make anyone sigh and say, what a wonderful mother she must be.
I watched as she disappeared into the crowd, continuing to greet and welcome more guests.
She could easily pass as an actress.
She was just that good at pretending.
And now I finally understood why nobody ever believed Jaxon when he suggested that this woman might not truly be his mother.
“Hey.”
I froze the moment I heard Ravyn Vale’s voice behind me.
Quickly composing myself, I turned to face him with a forced smile.
“Hi,” I greeted.
Those familiar grey eyes rested on me, filled with nothing but pure lust.
“You… you must be alone,” he said, flashing me a smile that irritated me to my core.
“I am?” I asked dramatically, glancing around before letting my gaze settle back on him again.
“As a matter of fact… I am alone.”
A smile immediately spread wider across his face.
“Who could stand such beauty up? Would you like to join my table and maybe have a drink with me? I could keep you company,” he offered.
A smile immediately spread across my face.
“As a matter of fact, I would love that. I’m beginning to feel tipsy, and joining your table for a drink wouldn’t be so bad,” I responded with the same energy.
I then turned to look for the waiter I had called earlier and immediately spotted him standing not too far from the table.
“It seems our drink is already here, so shall we?” he said, flashing me another smile.
Only God knew it took everything in me not to reach for a bottle and smash it across his already disgusting face.
He led the way, and I followed.
When we reached the table, he helped pull out a seat for me. I flashed him a polite smile before grabbing the bottle of whiskey and pouring it into the two glasses filled with ice cubes, all the while feeling Ravyn Vale’s gaze resting heavily on me.
I handed him his drink before lifting mine to my lips, our eyes meeting over the rim of the glass.
“May I know your name, my lady?” he asked, his gaze feeling like it was burning holes through my skin.
I looked at him, unsure whether I should give him my real name or lie about it.
“Just call me Carter,” I replied with a small smile playing on my lips as I lightly swirled the drink in my hand.
He gulped down his glass in one go, and I immediately grabbed the bottle, refilling his drink.
Just then, everyone’s attention was drawn to Mrs. Lennox as she began addressing the room, delivering the opening greetings from her husband to the board members.
“What do you think?” Ravyn Vale asked, suddenly pointing toward Jaxon, who had just been called up to the stage.
“About what? Him?” I asked, watching as a smile slowly crept onto his lips, his gaze fixed on Jaxon.
“Yeah. I can’t believe he’s that kid I used to know,” I heard him mutter before finishing the rest of his drink and pouring himself another shot.
“You knew him as a kid?” I asked, my gaze lingering on him as I observed him closely.
“He used to be a crybaby who was scared of everything,” he said, his eyes meeting mine as a smug smile played on his lips before he added,
“And he still is. Such a shame.”
Then I saw something shift in his gaze as it returned to Jaxon.
When I looked toward Jaxon’s direction, my heart skipped the moment I noticed his eyes on me. His gaze slowly moved to Ravyn Vale, who responded with a smirk.
“I’m sorry, Miss Carter, but I’ll have to leave you for now. I really need to make a phone call, but I would really love to see you again,” he said as he turned to face me, flashing another one of his smug smiles.
But my attention was no longer on him.
My gaze was fixed on Jaxon, who had finally stepped down from the stage and was now heading straight in my direction.
Slipping a hand into my pocket, I pulled out a small card with a phone number written on it and handed it to him.
“Here, call me,” I said with a small smile. “I really want to discuss something with you, and trust me… you’re going to love it.”
He took the card from me, his smirk deepening.
“I’ll be sure to do that,” he replied before quickly disappearing into the crowd before Jaxon could reach us.
Pouring the rest of the liquor down my throat, I turned to face Jaxon’s angry gaze.
Right.
I expected that.
“Well, look who’s here. If it isn’t my date who left me all alone,” I said, ignoring the sharp glare he was directing at me.
“You were supposed to stay with Troy. What are you doing here talking to him?” he began.
But the tone he used…
It was the wrong one.
“I don’t think you want to use that tone on me,” I replied sharply. “First, I’m not your property, so don’t talk to me like that. Second, since Ravyn Vale has become so untouchable, I might as well try living in his world.”
I let out a bitter breath before adding,
“I mean, I didn’t quit my job for nothing.”
With that, I turned and walked away in anger.