Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The people who came to do my makeup and styling looked very familiar.

It was them last time too.

Everyone looked up at me and greeted me, "Mrs. Smith."

"Hello."

My smile was gentle and serene as I waved softly at everyone.

Just looking at me now, I seemed like a woman loved by her husband without a care in the world.

But everyone in the villa, from top to bottom, knew the truth.

James and I had an on-and-off relationship.

Never mind them—even I couldn't figure out what James really meant.

He clearly resented me deeply, bought me back to humiliate me like a little pet, yet sometimes he would stand up for me.

I really couldn't understand what James wanted.

Pulling my thoughts back, I sat quietly on the sofa, letting everyone start doing my makeup and styling.

Looking at the ornate crystal chandelier on the ceiling, I couldn't help wondering about something.

Who exactly was James taking me to meet that required special styling?

Last time was also because we were going to a very high-level charity gala, which was why he had people come to the house to do my makeup.

An hour and a half later, the styling was done.

I smiled and thanked everyone.

The makeup artist took out her phone at this moment, holding it hesitantly, "Mrs. Smith, can I take a photo of you?"

"What?"

I was surprised.

The makeup artist nervously waved her hands, explaining rapidly, "I don't mean anything by it! I just think you're so beautiful. Even though I've been a makeup artist for so many years, you're the most beautiful! I... I have this habit of taking photos of beautiful people."

Hearing this, I immediately understood.

Seeing how nervous she looked, I smiled helplessly and softened my tone, "Don't be nervous, I don't mind."

The makeup artist's eyes lit up, "Really? Thank you so much!"

She pointed her phone at me and carefully took several photos before leaving contentedly with the others.

After getting styled, it wasn't convenient to move around much, so I sat on the sofa looking at my phone.

At exactly five o'clock, James came down from upstairs.

He was backlit, his posture noble and aloof, like an unreachable deity.

My eyes widened a bit, looking at him with some confusion, and I stood up in a daze on my sky-high heels.

This incredibly handsome man before me was actually my legal husband.

Even knowing he only kept me like a little pet, my heart still beat faster uncontrollably because of him at this moment.

James's gaze fell on me, with a flash of amazement.

He thought I looked good today too, right?

My heart lifted with joy. Just as I was about to look closer, I only saw him turn his head away in disgust.

My heart sank instantly.

I didn't dare look at James's eyes anymore. I held up my dress and walked carefully toward the front door.

Since James had come out of the study, it meant the gala was about to start.

I couldn't wait for James to rush me.

These high heels made even walking nerve-wracking.

I instinctively held my breath, trying to make each step as steady as possible.

Behind me, James's somewhat urgent footsteps grew closer and closer.

I inevitably felt a bit anxious.

Was I walking too slowly and making James unhappy?

The next moment, I was picked up.

Everything spun around. I screamed in fright and instinctively wrapped my arms around James's neck.

"Are you trying to murder your husband so you can reunite with your lovers sooner?"

James's cool voice came.

I looked up and met James's cold gaze.

My heart jumped, and I quickly let go.

"I'm sorry, I'm not."

Seeing that James had no intention of putting me down, I opened my mouth and spoke hesitantly, "Actually, I can walk by myself. You can put me down."

I said this completely out of worry that being carried out by James would trouble him and cause him to trouble me.

Unexpectedly, James coldly swept his gaze across my face, "I gave you three hundred thousand dollars, and I can't even hold you?"

If his tone wasn't so cold right now, I'd suspect he was being a rogue.

Since James had said that, I had nothing more to say.

And besides...

Feeling James's familiar scent, my heart still beat disobediently.

I just didn't know why James's expression seemed even darker.

After getting in the car, this situation became more obvious.

The atmosphere in the entire car was particularly heavy and oppressive.

I instinctively moved toward the car door, away from James.

I seemed to hear James snort coldly.

I felt uneasy.

I didn't know what I'd done to offend him again.

The air beside me grew colder and colder, and the atmosphere in the car was so cold that even breathing felt tense.

I didn't dare look at James, so I could only try to minimize my presence as much as possible.

Every second in the car was unbearably torturous.

I didn't know how long had passed until I heard James's cold voice, "Get out."

After speaking, he didn't wait for me and got out directly from his side.

I didn't dare delay and quickly followed.

James was tall with long legs. For every step he took, I had to take almost two steps to keep up.

Plus I was wearing high heels, so every step required extra caution.

My heart was in my throat, and I didn't dare breathe heavily.

All my attention was focused on walking, and I didn't notice that James, who had been walking very fast, suddenly stopped when he heard the sound of high heels.

He frowned and turned around.

My heart tightened, "What's wrong?"

James extended his hand toward me, "If you're going to act, at least make it look convincing."

I immediately understood and took the initiative to hold his arm, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Being able to hold onto James was naturally better.

This way I could walk more steadily without worrying about falling.

A waiter had been waiting at the door early on. Seeing us arrive, they immediately smiled and led us into a top-level private room.

When I sat down, I felt relieved.

Just as I was taking small sips of lemon water, James's calm voice rang out, "You think three hundred thousand dollars is that easy to get?"

I looked at him in surprise, "What do you mean?"

"If you can't help me close this deal today, you'll have to pay me back double."

James said expressionlessly.

I almost spat out my mouthful of lemon water!

Why didn't he mention such an important thing earlier?

If I'd known there was this condition, I never would have agreed!

Damn capitalist!

I was so angry my teeth itched, wanting to rush up and scratch James's face.

I was furious, but at that moment the door to the private room opened.

A kind-looking elderly couple walked in.

The moment I saw who it was, my eyes lit up and I quickly got up to greet them, "Mr. Cook, Mrs. Cook!"

"Anna, I can't believe it's really you!"

Mireille excitedly took my hand, looking me up and down with concern, "We thought we saw wrong that day, but it really is you."

I smiled, my eyes crinkling, and spoke softly, "How could you two possibly be mistaken?"

I helped Mireille sit down.

Ralph, meanwhile, swept his gaze coldly over James before finally taking a seat beside him.

Mireille held my hand caringly, asking me all sorts of questions.

Suddenly she asked, "Anna, is Mr. Smith good to you? Are you happy after getting married?"