Chapter 232

Victoria instinctively lowered her head and moved closer to the corner after locking eyes with William's cold, intense gaze.

Three years had passed, and she never imagined their reunion would be so sudden and unexpected.

William seemed not to recognize her, or maybe he just didn't care. After stepping in, he turned his back to everyone, pressed the elevator button, and casually slipped his hands into his pockets.

As the elevator ascended, Victoria's heart felt like it was floating in mid-air, only to crash down heavily, over and over, making it hard for her to breathe.

The small space became awkwardly tense.

Marcella stood diagonally behind William, her eyes unblinking.

'No wonder Harborview City is so renowned. Even a random guy here is so outstanding,' she thought.

This time, she had to make a good impression during the exchange event, hoping to attract more excellent men and find a wealthy boyfriend to outshine that bitch Diana!

Marcella, always proud and ambitious, rarely met a man who piqued her interest so much. She was itching to get his contact information but was also mindful of her dignity and status.

Catching a glimpse of Victoria out of the corner of her eye, Marcella decided to make small talk to assert her presence in front of William.

She pursed her lips slightly and turned to Victoria, saying, "The designers attending this exchange event are all industry elites. Since it's your first time here, be smart and don't embarrass our company. Also, did you bring a gown? If not, I have one, but I'm afraid you won't have the grace to pull it off. Just look at your outfit, it's really..."

She smiled without saying more, her disdain evident.

Victoria bit her lip, her face turning pale.

In just a few words, Marcella had elevated herself by belittling Victoria, exposing her situation completely.

Of course, Victoria knew that these words meant nothing to those who didn't care about her.

So if she let it bother her, it would only be her own problem.

The elevator arrived, and the doors slowly opened.

Marcella raised her chin and softly said to William, "Excuse me, sir, could you please move aside?"

Even though she could easily slip past him, she insisted on making William move, her intentions clear to Victoria.

But this time, her plan was likely to fail. William wasn't someone who could be easily swayed.

William slowly glanced sideways, then stepped aside.

Whether intentionally or not, he ended up standing right in front of Victoria.

Victoria pressed her lips together, trying to breathe steadily as she dragged her two heavy suitcases past him.

William's deep eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly indifferent to everything around him. His gaze slowly moved, landing on Victoria's struggling figure.

The elevator doors slowly closed.

Victoria finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.

She had thought about meeting William again, but not like this, purely by chance.

She had imagined their reunion would be a simple, light-hearted smile.

Who could have guessed it would be like this, as if they were strangers?

But wasn't this exactly what she had hoped for?

"What a pity," Marcella sighed regretfully beside her. "He's so handsome and distinguished. It would be great to get to know him."

Noticing Victoria looking at her, Marcella didn't feel embarrassed. She turned and ordered, "Take my luggage to my room."

Victoria silently pushed the two suitcases, her expression calm on the surface, but her mind in turmoil.

She had underestimated William's impact on her. Despite three years of mental preparation, seeing him again easily shattered the facade she had painstakingly built.

Her room was right next to Marcella's. After returning, Victoria threw herself onto the bed, staring blankly out the window.

That evening, there was a banquet.

The venue was the hotel's first-floor banquet hall.

Marcella took this occasion very seriously, dressing up meticulously. Her elegant evening gown accentuated her graceful figure, and she walked with poise, immediately attracting attention as she entered the hall.

The designers invited to this exchange event were all industry elites. Female designers were already few, and young, beautiful ones were even rarer.

Thus, Marcella instantly became the center of attention.

From the moment she appeared, compliments and greetings were endless.

Her smile was radiant, every curve practiced to perfection, clearly aiming to present her best side.

In contrast, Victoria was much more casual, wearing a simple professional outfit, her long hair loosely tied back, and a pair of black-framed glasses adding a touch of elegance.

She had been busy all day, barely having time to eat. Now, her stomach growled with hunger, and she headed straight for the buffet.

She filled a plate with food, looked around, and then carried her tray to a corner by the window, quietly sitting down to eat.

The view from the window was excellent, with the city's bustling night scene in full view.

A gentle breeze brought the warm, pleasant air of early summer, making her feel refreshed.

Tonight's banquet was just a routine event, relatively relaxed with no formalities. Terrence had been called away by a business partner as soon as he arrived at the hotel.

Marcella seemed busy mingling with acquaintances, leaving Victoria with a rare moment of peace.

Nearby, someone was chatting, "Do you know Marcella?"

Hearing the name, Victoria instinctively slowed her eating.

"She's quite notorious in our industry! I heard she's an illegitimate child who, along with her mother, drove the wife to suicide to secure a place in the Simpson family."

"Exactly, with that background, she still struts around arrogantly. It's infuriating."

"Even though she seems glamorous now, who knows how many people despise her behind her back. Every time I see her acting superior, it makes me angry."

Victoria continued eating quietly, trying to make her movements as silent as possible.

She had heard bits and pieces of these rumors before but never delved into them.

To her, even if the rumors were true, it was someone else's past and privacy, not something to judge.

Soon, a sharp scream broke the noise in the hall.

It sounded like Marcella.

Victoria immediately put down her utensils and quickly walked towards the source of the sound.

Marcella stood in the center of the hall, looking disheveled. Her meticulously styled hair was a mess, her gown stained with wine, and her makeup smeared, making her look utterly embarrassed.

The waitstaff hurriedly handed her towels, trying to help clean her up.

Marcella stood there like a statue, her eyes filled with panic and helplessness.

Laughter erupted around her, with people covering their mouths to stifle their giggles.

Some even took out their phones, aiming their cameras at her, ready to capture this "spectacular" moment.