Chapter 1571 Ben had prepared an evening gown for Jamie.
It was a strapless champagne-colored dress that fit her perfectly. However, having not worn such formal attire in a long time, Jamie felt a bit awkward, checking herself repeatedly in the mirror. "You look stunning, Miss Lewis. It fits perfectly," the helper said with a smile.
Jamie returned the smile but didn't say much.
"She's right. It suits you perfectly." Ben's voice suddenly cut through the room.
Jamie turned to find him already dressed in a sleek suit, complementing her gown perfectly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHer discomfort grew, and the helper, sensing the tension, quietly excused herself.
Ben stepped forward and revealed a necklace. "A gown like this needs the right jewelry. I picked out a necklace just for you. Try it on." Jamie instinctively tried to refuse. "That's not necessary..." But Ben's calm demeanor left no room for negotiation. Before she could resist further, he clasped the necklace around her neck.
The moment it settled, his sharp eyes lit with a hint of admiration, and a faint smile curled his lips. "As I thought, it's perfect for you." Jamie felt like she might get lost in his gaze.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her head, avoiding his eyes. Yet, no matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop herself from recalling the gentle smile on his face. "It's tto go." Ben took her hand and led her to the car.
The drive to the venue was smooth, with traffic cleared in advance, making the journey effortless.
When they arrived, the reactions of those outside the venue were mixed.
Many were shocked to see Ben with a female companion.
As they entered, one acquaintance approached to greet him, taking the opportunity to tease, "This young lady is stunning. Mr. Lucas, why haven't you brought her out before?" "Because I'm still courting her," Ben replied, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
The crowd fell silent, caught off guard by the candid remark.
Even Jamie was stunned. She turned her head sharply to stare at Ben, unable to hide her astonishment. Ben was beside her, dressed impeccably in his tailored suit, showed no sign of hesitation or embarrassment. Ben had not mentioned this to her, not even a hint.
Her surprise quickly turned to a mix of confusion and nervousness as she noticed the curious and speculative gazes from those around them.
The pressure was suffocating, and for a moment, Jamie felt an overwhelming urge to leave.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut Ben's firm grip on her arm left her no choice but to stay.
It was as if he had anticipated her reaction, refusing to give her an escape route.
This was Ben, someone who always found a way to get what he wanted.
Once they had moved out of the crowd's watchful eyes, Jamie opened her mouth to question him but Ben spoke first. "I should've given you a heads-up, and I apologize for that. But what vel the truth. It's how I feel." "Why?" Jamie asked, clearly confused.
"There are so many better people out there. And... Winnie..." At the mention of Winnie's name, a familiar ache twisted in Jamie's chest.
Ben fell silent too. After a long is pause, he closed his eyes briefly, his voice lowering to a somber tone. "Let's not bring her up tonight. L wanted this evening to be about helping you relax, not bringing back the pain." Jamie hesitated, the words lingering on her lips, but ultimately, under Ben's steady gaze, she let them go and said nothing.
The auction featured rare collections and gemstones, but Jamie wasn't particularly interested. For her, nothing mattered more than her loved ones. Money and power were secondary.
That was until the final item. It was a ring once owned by a queen that was displayed.