Filed to story: Snatched a Billionaire to be My Husband Book (Cora & Byron)
The shopping assistant appeared embarrassed as she replied,
“Miss Lane, some of these limited editions were sourced from nearby stores, and it took us considerable effort to gather them. If you don’t wish to keep them, could you please consult with Mr. Pope first?”
Cora could sympathize with the shopping assistant and didn’t want to make things difficult for her.
Reluctantly, she signed for the shoes and sent Byron a photo of them.
[Mr. Hansen, are these part of my service fee for that night?]
To Cora’s surprise, Byron immediately started a video call after the message was sent.
Cora hesitated for a moment, but eventually decided to pick it up.
Byron’s face showed up clearly on the screen, a sight she never tired of. The lighting was dim, and he held a glass of wine, likely at a social gathering.
Byron’s expression seemed more relaxed than usual, maybe under the effect of the wine.
His cold and sharp features softened slightly, giving him a somewhat lazy allure.
Cora avoided her gaze as memories of their intimate moments flooded her mind.
“I don’t care what you think about the shoes, but I’ve already gifted them, they’re yours,”
Byron said, his tone carrying an underlying authority that compelled obedience.
Cora attempted to interject, but Byron swiftly added,
“I’m not yet free tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Cora felt perplexed as she raised her gaze, only to be met with a smile in Byron’s eyes.
She wanted to ask him why he had been seeking her out and gifting her those shoes.
Was it because he wanted to sleep with her again? Or was it because…
?
Indeed, Byron had been supportive and generous, arousing a faint expectancy within Cora’s otherwise desolate heart.
Yet, before she could voice her doubts, Byron ended the video call, leaving her yearning for answers.
The anticipation surrounding Byron’s intentions quickly dissipated upon their encounter at the engagement party the following day.
Cora rushed from the hospital, hastily applying lipstick and eyeliner as Sally pulled her along.
“I’m her plus one.”
At the banquet hall entrance, Sally showed the receptionist the gift bag she had prepared.
“Thank you. Please sign here and leave the gift here,”
the receptionist instructed.
With the formalities taken care of, Sally and Cora entered the venue.
“You bought them a gift?”
Cora whispered, totally surprised.
“Oh yeah, something special.”
“What?”
Sally grinned mischievously,
“A pair of customized voodoo dolls. I hope they have a miserable life and never harm you again.”
Cora was speechless, felt both grateful and shocked. But she did find solace in Sally’s unique way of handling this situation.
Suddenly, Sally tugged at her arm and whispered,
“Look, Mr. Pope! Go say hi.”
Cora’s heart skipped a beat. Not because of Carter himself, but because she knew Byron would be there with him.
Following Sally’s gaze, Cora’s eyes landed on Byron, standing next to Carter.
In the banquet hall, Byron stood out amongst the crowd in his usual suit and leather shoes, engaging in conversations with several important figures.
It wasn’t just his striking appearance that captured people’s attention, but also his extraordinary aura and demeanor.
Cora couldn’t help but focus her gaze on Byron, and it seemed that he noticed it too. Catching her off guard, he turned around and met her eyes.
Cora felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. Thoughts of the shoes he had given her yesterday left her unsure of how she should greet him.
Yet Byron showed no intention of greeting her whatsoever. He had already shifted his gaze away, continuing his conversations as if Cora were a stranger to him.
The indifference in his demeanor pierced Cora’s heart, leaving her feeling dejected.
‘Of course.’ Cora thought, ‘Even my ex avoids me, why would Byron have any interest in me?’
It was absurd that despite knowing this, she had allowed herself to entertain fantasies about him harboring feelings for her.
The realization left Cora feeling embarrassed. She looked away quickly.
“Cora, come on! Don’t be shy,”
Sally urged, unaware that Cora looked away because she was disappointed by Byron’s indifference, not shy.
Sally believed that if Carter could disregard his connection to Byron and help Cora in the store the other day, even at the risk of offending Byron’s families-to-be, then he must be very serious with his relationship with Cora.
Yet, Cora began to regret coming to this party. Her decision to come wasn’t solely influenced by Sally’s persuasions but also her own desire to see Byron.
Although Cora didn’t know what to say or do after seeing him, she had been thinking about it ever since she received the shoes yesterday.
Now, those thoughts had been shattered entirely, leaving Cora with a strong desire to walk away.
“Sally, I…”
she began, wanting to tell her that she would like to leave.
But just then, a male voice came from behind her, tinged with pity.
“Cora, why are you here?”
Cora turned around and saw a range of emotions in Eason’s eyes.
He looked more handsome than she had imagined in his black tuxedo, exuding nobility and sophistication.
Cora felt a bit dazed, unsure if it was Eason’s well-groomed appearance or Byron’s indifference that affected her.
Sally, not wanting Cora to be at a disadvantage, quickly interjected,
“We’re here to attend your engagement party, Mr. Patton. You invited her, remember?”
“Me?”
Eason looked confused. Of course he didn’t invite Cora, knowing how much Cora would be disgusted.
But he soon realized it must have been Mia’s doing. While aware of her motives, Eason had no choice but to brace himself and host the event.
Looking at Cora’s slightly reddened eyes, sadness overcame him.
Eason stepped forward, pulling Cora gently.
“Cora, let’s talk in private.”
“Go ahead! Talk away! I’ll wait here.”
Though Sally wouldn’t want Cora and Eason to get back together, she still wanted Cora to have a proper talk with Eason before moving on.
As Sally saw them off, she felt a cold gaze piercing her back, as if someone wanted to tear her apart.
She quickly turned around, searching for the source of such rudeness. But upon realizing who it was, she took half a step back.
It was Byron!
Sally nervously adjusted her bangs and murmured,
“I don’t recall offending him…”
“Hey, look at that…
I know Cora is a beauty, but she’s really hot in that dress.”
Hearing Harry’s remark, Byron shifted his cold gaze from Sally to Cora’s departing figure alongside
Eason.
His eyes first fell upon Cora’s feet, adorned in champagne-colored high heels. Her slender and dazzling ankles led to her beautiful legs.
But Byron’s attention quickly shifted when he noticed Eason tightly holding Cora’s hand.
Harry couldn’t help but comment again,
“Looks like my Cousin Mia’s engagement party is on the edge.
She wasn’t attractive to begin with, and now compared to Cora, ouch…
With that dress Cora’s wearing, we all know what Eason’s gonna do to her…”
Harry suddenly felt the atmosphere freeze around him. He turned to face Byron’s icy stare.
Only then did Harry recall that Byron and his nephew’s ex-girlfriend also had something going on.
“Well, your nephew’s ex is clearly here to win him back today. You should let her go! You can always find another hot chick.”
Without the glorification of the identities of a young lady from a good family and being Eason’s fianc?e,
Cora was nothing more than a hot plaything in Harry’s eyes, especially since he knew that Cora had been involved with both Eason and Byron.
But Harry’s carefree tone was short-lived. Byron sternly warned,
“Mind your words. I can teach you manners if your parents didn’t bother.”
Byron’s voice cut through the air like an icy snowstorm. Stunned, Harry exclaimed,
“Hey! How could you treat me like this for that woman? Jane will be here soon, mind you!”
Harry believed that Byron was merely playing with Cora, considering Jane the perfect match for him, and that Cora’s resemblance to Jane, both being medical professionals, might be the reason why