at the two figures had already disappeared by the time Analbea managed to focus her eyes.
d in front of her face. “Younkay?”
“pt’s nothing.” Anatliea tuturd away with a faint kindle
She must’ve limaginet]! asteura was a big city, after all. What
hances of running into tiregory and Natalie here?
The wallet bed Analbea and Exangeline toward the private room served for the celebration dinner.
Evangeline spent the whole walk gushing aliout the exhibition. “lously, its show is on another level. They even pot Ms. Langley’s work up Only a deep pocketed unpantzer like the Sincla tirup could pull that off.”
“Sinclait Cap’s behind this?” Anatra’s steps falteres
“Yep, and the curator’s one of their in–house collaborators. I’ve heard she’d studied abroad. She’s got an impressive track record, with tons of viral exhibitions under her belt. No wonder they locked her in for the long haul. ”
Ivangeline glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then aged closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. “And word is, Mr. Sinclair and the curator are pretty close. Ms. Langley wasn’t even going to lend her work until he stepped in and smoothed things over”
Anthea barely heard the rest. Her head was spinning.
With Sinclair Group behind the exhibition and Natalle serving as the curator, it meant both of them were inside at this very moment. Suddenly, the thought of stepping through that door was the last thing she wanted.
But Evangeline, mistaking her hesitation for nerves, said, “Relax, a’s just a celebration dinner. And hey, I’ve got your back.”
Before Anathea could get a word out, Evangeline booked her arm through hers and pushed the door open. The chatter inside faded as all eyes turned to them.
Anathea gave the room a once–over. Around 20 people were gathered around a long, rectangular walnut table. Unsurprisingly, Gregory sat at the head, with Natalie beside him on his lett.
50, she hadn’t imagined seeing them outside. What were the odds?
Gregory spotted her, and his expression tightened. She could almost hear what he was thinking–that she’d shown up just to put herself in his line of sight. But that wasn’t it.
Avoiding his gaze, she quietly followed Evangeline as she inoved through the room, exchanging quick greetings with the more recognizable guests,
Evangeline was about to steer her toward Gregory when Anathea slipped away, sliding into an unobtrusive seat in the corner.
Leit with little choice, Evangeline approached Gregory alone, offering a few polite words and carefully chosen compliments for him and Natalie:
Smiling, Natalie answered smoothly. “We owe the exhibition’s success in no small part to you and your floral design team, Ms. Holstrom.”
Evangeline beamed at the compliment and slipped into the seat beside Natalie, already testing the waters for another
collaboration
Meanwhile, Anathea was more than happy to be “overlooked” in ber quiet corner. She made small talk here and there, and when she spotted the vacant seat beside her, she assumed it was unclaimed and was about to set her purse on IL
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting!”
The door to the private room swung open again as Theo stepped inside with a woman in a cream–colored shift dress.
Charter 93
+25 BONUS
ut woul
Nearly everyone me to greet her “Ms. Langley! We’ve heard so mech about
Aspen gave a polite nod, her gaze briefly landing on Anathea in the corner before flicking away.
“Ms. Langley, we saved you a seat!” Natalie said smoothly, gesturing to the empty chair on Gregory’s right the honored spot reserved for the exhibition’s VIP.
With composed ease, Aspen made her way toward Gregory and the pliers.
A few guests chuckled. “Only someone like Mr. Sinclair could pallif getting an artist like Ms. Langley to show up.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 94
