CHAPTER FOUR

That evening, Haley dressed in the crimson gown, the rich color accentuating her every curve. Her makeup was flawless, her hair styled into soft waves that framed her face. A beauty mark just below her eye added a touch of allure. She was striking, like a vision from a painting.

As she walked into the auction hall, she felt all eyes turn toward her, including those of Alex Lane, a man known for his sharp wit and even sharper tongue. He took in her appearance with keen interest.

“Who is that?” Alex asked, intrigued.

Vardy Foster, his friend and notorious playboy, grinned beside him. “That’s Haley Summers, Ethan Charles’ wife. But rumor has it Ethan ’s here with another woman. We might just see some fireworks tonight.”

Alex didn’t reply, his attention fixed on Haley as she moved gracefully through the crowd.

Inside the venue, Morgan Stale clung nervously to Ethan ’s arm, her white dress a stark contrast to the vibrant colors around her. “I’m not sure I should be here,” she murmu