A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 122

A week had passed before Yvan laid eyes on Matilda again. It was at a swanky cocktail party. where the city’s who’s who mingled, glasses clinking and laughter echoing off the marble walls.

There she was, arm in arm with a man, draped in a scarlet dress that clung to her like a second skin. Her hair fell in carefree waves, and her lips were a bold, sensuous red. They made an entrance that captured every gaze in the room.

The man by her side was the world–renowned creative director of Noble Blue Brand, Criss. At thirty, with his fine features and a reputation for being a maverick, he was the envy of every bachelor there. Women whispered among themselves, speculating on how Matilda had managed to snag such a catch.

Criss flashed her a smile. “They’re all looking at you.”

“They?” Feigning ignorance, Matilda asked, “Are you referring to someone in particular, Mr. Criss?”

“Smart as ever.” Criss‘ voice dropped to a whisper. “Your ex–husband is watching you.”

As Matilda lifted her gaze, she found Yvan amid the crowd. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment across the sea of partygoers before each calmly looked away.

thought to herself how much she had come to resemble Yvan. Once upon a time, seeing him would have sent her

thank you for your repeated betrayals. They’ve forged my

about her slender silhouette. It seemed to many that they had seen such a face

had dazzled, her red dress swirled, and a

she emerged from her trials, donning that fiery

complimented her, “Matilda, you

didn’t dare disturb you, fearing I’d ruin the image you had of me.” Matilda batted her eyelashes playfully. “Good things come

Criss squinted at Yvan, who was moving through the crowd with an air of cold, aristocratic grace. His chiseled features stood out, and even from a distance, one could

quite the man,” Criss assessed. His validation wasn’t given lightly, so his four–word

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Chapter 122

joked, “Too bad he’s not into

“Sleeping with a