Just then, the other car door opened, and a handsome, dashing man stepped out.

It was Mia Kane’s male companion, whom she had just spoken with ten minutes ago. His name was Tanya Shaw.

He stepped forward to take Mia Kane’s arm, lifting the hem of her dress for her as they walked up the stairs.

Mia Kane ignored the strange looks from everyone and walked right in. But before she could get far, a hand grabbed her wrist from behind and pulled her aside.

Tanya Shaw could only hurry to follow.

Mia Kane looked at Chase Lockwood, confused.

"Why did you pull me over here?"

"Who is he?"

Chase Lockwood’s gaze fell coldly on Tanya Shaw.

"The pretty boy I hired. My date for tonight."

"Hello, President Lockwood. I’ve heard so much about you!"

Tanya Shaw greeted him politely.

"A pretty boy? Your date? Do you have any idea what you’re doing? Bringing an escort to an event like this? Are you crazy?"

"Who else was I supposed to bring? I don’t have a suitable date. What, Young Master Lockwood? Do you want to walk in arm-in-arm with me?"

Mia Kane said mockingly.

Chase Lockwood wanted to say yes immediately, but the thought that he was a married man made him hold back.

In the beginning, Vivian Lynch had acted magnanimously, claiming she didn’t mind his interactions with Mia Kane. She’d even said they owed Mia too much, so it was only natural to make it up to her.

She always told him to communicate well and not to fight with Mia.

The more she acted this way, the more his heart ached for her. He felt Vivian was so understanding, a true confidante.

But now, he didn’t know what had gotten into her. It was as if she’d completely forgotten the words she herself had said.

Now, she flew into a rage at the mere mention of Mia Kane. They had already fought several times, to the point that it was affecting their relationship—the couple was even sleeping in separate rooms.

Things had only recently calmed down a bit because of this banquet.

"I brought Vivian today, so of course I can’t."

"What? So if you hadn’t brought Vivian Lynch, you could have?"

Mia Kane said, speechless.

"Mia Kane, you could have attended the banquet alone. Why did you have to find a man?"

Mia Kane had originally wanted to bring a date to show Adrian Preston she was doing just fine.

’But why did Chase Lockwood get triggered before I even had a chance to provoke Adrian Preston?’

"Does this have anything to do with you?"

"Of course it does! You are not allowed to bring him!"

"Chase Lockwood, get your facts straight. I’m divorced. What was between us was over half a year ago; I’ve already turned that page. Who I bring is my freedom. What does it have to do with you?"

Mia Kane found it laughable. She grabbed Tanya Shaw’s hand. "I’ll do whatever I want. I have the money and the time now. I can play around with men all day."

With that, she turned and left, ignoring Chase Lockwood.

Chase Lockwood was both furious and anxious, his heart filled with regret.

’The old Mia Kane was so wonderful. I never imagined the emotional scars I gave her would be so deep that she’d start degrading herself, throwing her life away like this.’

’If it weren’t for me, Mia Kane never would have married Adrian Preston, let alone hired an escort.’

’It’s all my fault...’

Watching Mia Kane’s retreating back, Chase Lockwood was overwhelmed with self-reproach.

Mia Kane felt the stare on her back and shuddered.

’Is Chase Lockwood having one of his episodes again?’

’That guy thinks way too highly of himself. He won’t listen to reason.’

Mia Kane led her companion inside. Adrian Preston was already making the rounds with Charlotte, toasting guests.

Everyone offered words of blessing, consciously avoiding any mention of Adrian Preston’s previous marriage.

Charlotte was dressed gorgeously in a long red gown, her hair in wavy curls. She wore expensive jewelry, exuding an air of nobility and grace.

She was, after all, the daughter of a prominent family. Even in a foreign country, she carried herself with poise and elegance.

Adrian Preston stood beside her, and the two complemented each other perfectly.

They were a great match—a handsome man and a beautiful woman from families of equal standing. Their marriage was a union of powerhouses.

Soon, Chase Lockwood arrived with Vivian Lynch on his arm.

Vivian Lynch deliberately came over to get a drink, then sidled up to Mia Kane.

"You must be feeling pretty bitter right about now, huh?"

Mia Kane took a sip of her drink. ’Will this couple ever give it a rest?’

"Mia Kane, you were once so glamorous. As Mrs. Preston, you even outshone me. What a glorious time. But now? Adrian Preston has someone new by his side. Without his protection, how long do you think you can keep smiling?"

"Losing to me is just a matter of time. If I were you, I’d get on my knees and beg for mercy right now. Maybe then I’d let you off the hook."

Mia Kane turned a deaf ear to these words.

"Mia Kane, I’d like to see just how long you can keep up this tough act," Vivian Lynch said, exasperated and furious.

Just then, Adrian Preston approached with Charlotte on his arm.

"Mia Kane, you really came! I made a bet with Adrian that you wouldn’t. Looks like I lost!"

"In that case, you have to honor the bet."

"What prize do you want?"

Charlotte looked at him, puzzled.

The next second, Adrian Preston leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

The rest of the guests cheered.

They were also stealing glances at Mia Kane, wanting to see if the ex-wife would break down.

But Mia Kane was perfectly calm, even smiling faintly.

’She and Adrian Preston were in the past. Adrian Preston and Charlotte were the present. They were engaged; wasn’t a kiss on the cheek normal?’

After the kiss, Adrian Preston wrapped his arm around Charlotte’s slender waist.

"I’m very glad you could come to my engagement party."

"Of course. I want you to be happy, too. This is my gift. I made these preserved flowers myself. I hope your love, like these flowers, never withers and remains forever brilliant and beautiful."

She took out the gift box she had prepared and handed it over.

"They’re beautiful. I love them, thank you!"

Charlotte, with her sweet and naive expression, took the gift, her eyes sparkling.

"And this is... your male companion?"

"Yes. Let me introduce you, this is Tanya Shaw."

"Isn’t that the top guy from Eior Bar?" someone interjected. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

There were even some of Tanya Shaw’s old clients in the crowd.

"You’ve already been promoted to the top spot?" Mia Kane leaned in and lowered her voice.

"Yep, just got promoted."

"So what does that mean for our fee? Do I need to pay extra?"

"Of course not. It’s the same as before."

"You’re a good man. I’ll call you next time I need your services."

"You’re pretty great yourself," Tanya Shaw said sweetly.

The two of them were discussing prices, but in the eyes of others, they were whispering intimately in each other’s ears, their behavior overly familiar.

Many people had come for the drama, but to their surprise, Mia Kane wasn’t providing any.

There was no life-or-death struggle, no major scene at the engagement party. She even brought an escort and wasn’t trying to hide it.

She didn’t seem to care at all what others thought.

Their idle gossip couldn’t hurt her.

"Adrian, we still need to go make a toast over there."

Others couldn’t feel the suppressed anger radiating from Adrian Preston, but she was the closest and felt it most keenly.

She quickly found an excuse and led him away.

"Adrian, my dress is dirty. Can you come upstairs with me while I change?"

Charlotte "accidentally" knocked over a glass of red wine, using the opportunity to take him upstairs.

They were gone for quite a while, and everyone started speculating about what they were doing.

"President Preston can’t even hold back in broad daylight. Seems he’s a man of passion."

"Miss Charlotte is a divine beauty. Who could possibly resist?"

"But if you ask me, the ex-wife, Miss Kane, isn’t bad either."

"Forget it. Her private life is a mess, who knows how many men she’s slept with. But then again, she’s quite a character. Both of Argent’s top dogs, Young Master Lockwood and Young Master Preston, have fallen for her. And when she was captured by kidnappers, she even won the favor of the leader..."

"SHH, keep your voice down! We can’t talk about that incident."

"And now Miss Kane openly brings an escort to a banquet. She really does as she pleases. A regular man could never handle a woman like that. I’d love to go talk to her, but I’m afraid Miss Kane wouldn’t give me the time of day."

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

At that moment, upstairs, Charlotte emerged in a fresh change of clothes and saw Adrian Preston’s ashen face.

"Aren’t you just a glutton for punishment? You wanted to provoke her, but in the end, you’re the one who’s provoked. You’re just a clown!"