Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 165: Seeing Things

The sleek black car slowed to a graceful stop in front of the grand event hall, where a red carpet was already unfurled and flashing lights from cameras danced across the exterior.

People in elegant gowns and tuxedos milled about, laughter and champagne flowing freely under the bright chandeliers spilling light from the glass doors.

Thanks to Mr Rogers, who’d taken extreme measures not to cause issues for Stefan, paparazzies weren’t trying to approach Stefan or Ruby to ask about anything.

Ruby stepped out first, holding Stefan’s hand for balance. Her emerald green gown shimmered with every step, hugging her figure delicately while flattering her growing, yet unnoticeable bump.

Rayna followed closely behind, stunning in her sun kissed beige dress with delicate beadwork around the neckline and a daring slit. Ethan, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit with a matching tie, looked as if he belonged on the cover of a magazine.

"I’ll admit," Rayna said, glancing around the magnificent scene, "this place looks like a movie set."

"It’s their thirtieth anniversary," Ethan said, smiling with approval. "From what I know, Mr Rogers doesn’t do anything halfway."

"No kidding," Rayna murmured, taking in the gold-trimmed marble columns, the glimmering crystal chandeliers, and the soft classical music floating through the air. "This is beyond gorgeous."

Ruby looked up at Stefan, her voice low. "I hope he is convinced today, otherwise the board wouldn’t be happy if we lose Mr Rogers."

"I’ll do what I can and hope for the best result but if things really don’t turn out well, then there’s nothing else I can do."

They stepped inside, welcomed with flutes of champagne and warm greetings from the hosts. The hall was massive, with intricate floral arrangements on every table, soft lighting that made the air feel magical, and waiters gliding across the room like trained dancers.

"I need to go find Mr. Rogers," Stefan whispered to Ruby as a waiter passed with appetizers. "I need to get this over with before the event starts."

Ruby nodded, her face suddenly serious. "Okay. Should I come with you now?"

"I’ll go check in first," Stefan replied. "Wait here, I’ll come get you."

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and walked off into the crowd, weaving through clusters of well-dressed guests until he spotted a familiar face.

Mr. Rogers’s secretary, dressed in a sleek dark blue suit, was speaking to someone near the buffet table. Stefan approached her.

"Excuse me—Ms. Clark?"

She turned and gave him a professional smile. "Mr. Winters. Mr. Rogers has been expecting you. He specifically asked to speak with you and your date as soon as you arrived."

now," Stefan said, inclining his

had her arm looped through Ethan’s and was happily observing the glitz and glamour around them. When

he’s

smiled. "Go

adjusting her purse. She gave Rayna a knowing glance and then

herself together, deep

hope this goes well. Mr. Rogers isn’t just any investor. He’s probably the most important one Stefan has. If he pulls out... it could mess up more than

the hall, eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. Her grip on Ethan’s arm had subtly tightened as

the way her posture had

toward one of the far hallways, just off the edge of the grand dining room. A woman in a silvery dress

asked, her voice barely

line of sight, but whoever

her brows still drawn together. "She looked just like Ruby... same face, same hair... but

blinked, confused but Rayna just kept staring at the hallway

gently. "Babe, are you sure? This place is packed. Maybe you

lip. "I don’t know. It looked exactly like her. And I know I sound crazy, but—what if she’s really

get into an event

answer immediately. Her gaze lingered a moment longer. Then she slowly exhaled. "I understand that. How about we check? Just in

hesitated but nodded. "Alright. Let’s go take a

hallway where she thought she’d seen the woman go. It was quieter here, with fewer people around—mostly staff and caterers moving

glancing

But there was nothing.

Ivy. No silver dress. No familiar

the space, trying to shake the disappointment. "I

that you think you did. But maybe it was someone who just

exhaled heavily, not quite convinced. "I know what

there’s no one here now. Maybe it was just a

gut told her something strange was going

pause. "Let’s go back before Ruby and Stefan return and start wondering where we

placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her back toward the event hall. "Come on. Let’s find some drinks and pretend we weren’t just

chuckle, but her thoughts lingered on what she’d seen. Or thought

soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound as Ruby and Stefan sat across from the older man, their expressions solemn, their backs straight, and their hands lightly clasped under the table, waiting to hear what

with an unreadable expression. His fingers drummed thoughtfully against the