The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 55: At the gala I

"Lyvana, there she is!" Mark said, stepping forward to greet her. He kissed her on the lips.

His eyes moved over the purple dress, and he looked mesmerized.

"Lyvana, you look... incredible. Doesn’t she, Clarisse?"

​Clarisse stood behind him, her face turning a pale, angry white. She clutched her purse so hard her knuckles turned white.

She had planned to humiliate Lyvana tonight, but Lyvana had already ruined the first part of her plan just by showing up in this gown.

​"Stunning." She forced herself to say.

Her voice sounded like it was being squeezed out of her throat. She knew exactly what that label cost, and the envy was written all over her face.

​Mark laughed nervously. "Well, you certainly caught everyone’s eye. Come on, the toast is starting."

As they walked, Mark leaned into her ear. "I thought you were returning that gown, Lyvana. We discussed this."

​Lyvana didn’t look at him.

​"I decided to buy it for myself, Mark," she said simply.

​"Fine," he muttered, adjusting his cuff. "I just hope you brought the bracelet Clarisse picked out. We need to make an impression on the Vanguards. You can place your gift right there."

​Lyvana offered him a sweet, hollow smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Don’t worry, Mark. I have the gift with me."

They reached the long table where the other guests had placed their expensive gifts. Boxes wrapped in gold and silk sat in neat rows, waiting for the host to open them.

​She took a blue box from her clutch and placed it right in the center of the table beside Mark and Clarisse’s gift boxes.

Just then, the music stopped. The head of Vanguard Global stepped onto the stage, and took the microphone from the announcer. He reached out his hand, and his wife, Cleo — a radiant woman in a gold dress, joined him.

​"Thank you all for being here to celebrate the most important person in my life," the host said, his voice warm with love. He looked at his wife. "My dear, every year you bring more beauty and grace into this world, and I just want to say, I love you and happy birthday."

A round of applause filled the room.

"These gifts from our friends are just a small token of how much you are loved. Why don’t you show everyone the treasures they’ve brought for you tonight?"

​Cleo walked over to the gift table. Every guest watched closely, knowing that at such events, the gifts were as much about power as they were about the celebration.

Cleo reached for the first box, and opened it. It was a pair of pearl earrings from her sister.

​"Let’s see what else we have here," she said with a warm smile.

​She reached for a large, velvet-lined case. When she lifted the lid, a collective gasp went through the room. Inside was a solid gold sculpture of a crane, its wings encrusted with tiny rubies. It was a famous piece from a renowned artist, symbolizing long life and prosperity.

​"This is from the Chen family," the announcer announced.

​The crowd erupted into a loud, respectful applause. The head of the Chen family stood and bowed slightly, basking in the admiration of the room. It was a gift that screamed wealth and tradition.

​Next, she picked up a sleek, carbon-fiber box. She opened it to reveal a limited-edition watch made entirely of white gold, with a face carved from a single, deep green emerald.

"This is a one-of-a-kind piece, often called, The Heart of the Forest, in collector circles," the announcer said. "This masterpiece is from Lord and Lady Sterling,"gesturing toward a sophisticated couple in the front.

​Again, the room broke into a thunderous applause. The Sterlings smiled at each other, clearly pleased with the impression they had made.

After a few boxes, Cleo reached for the small silver box belonging to Clarisse and opened it. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Inside sat the cheap, light, fake bracelet. Even under the dim gala lights, the "diamonds" looked dull and the metal looked like plastic. freewёbnoνel.com

A few guests standing nearby whispered, their eyebrows rising in confusion.

Cleo’s smile faltered for a second, but she was too polite to say anything.

​"Oh... thank you," she said politely.

Clarisse turned pale. She heard the announcer’s voice.

"The, um... b-bracelet is from Clarisse Davenport." The announcer was unsure how to announce it.

​Mark’s face turned a shade of pale gray. He looked at Clarisse, then at the bracelet. He didn’t understand why it looked so... poor.

They heard voices behind them.

"Is she on the guest list."

"Must be a servant looking to make an impression."

"No, she is supposed to be from high society."

"Why such a cheap gift then."

Clarisse wanted to disappear. What the hell happened to her gift. That gift was what she wrapped up for Lyvana.

Lyvana only gave a satisfactory smile.

But then, the hostess noticed the sleek, midnight-blue box Lyvana had placed right next to it.

​"And what is this one?" Cleo asked, her eyes lighting up. She picked up Lyvana’s box.

​The hostess clicked the box open. Suddenly, the entire ballroom seemed to go silent.

The massive, D-flawless diamonds caught the chandelier light, throwing brilliant rainbows across the hostess’s face. It was a masterpiece — heavy, sparkling, and clearly worth a fortune.

​"Oh my. Heavens," the hostess gasped, her hand going to her throat. "This... this is... it’s breathtaking!"

​Clarisse’s face went from white to a deep, angry purple as she stared at Lyvana’s gift. She looked like she wanted to scream, but her voice was gone.

​"And this is The Empress’s Tear," the announcer declared, his voice now full of booming authority. "A legendary piece from the private Royal Archive. I believe it bears the original golden sigil of the Queen."

​The room erupted. This wasn’t just jewelry; it was a historical artifact. The guests who had just been mocking Clarisse’s cheap bracelet now pushed forward, trying to get a glimpse of the royal sigil.

​"The Empress’s Tear is from Ms. Lyvana Montclair," the announcer added.