Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 81: The Convention II

"I think we should move in now..." Areso whispered close to Gianna’s ear, after taking a glance at her wristwatch. "The main event is about to start."

Gianna’s face didn’t show any nervous twitch, as she politely concluded her current conversation with a fellow jewelry designer from one of foreign companies that were here.

"Let’s meet inside... I’m sure you will be wowed..." She said to the woman who seemed to be in her mid-thirties.

"I am banking on that..."

Before more people could move into her space, she strolled toward the hall, her friends flanking her immediately, all smiles.

Oh, this is gonna be easy peasy... she mused, mildly smug, as she pushed the glass doors open.

When the doors sealed shut behind them with a hushed finality, glass swallowing sound the way money swallowed consequence, Gianna stepped fully into the hall, or rather into a temperature.

It was the first thing that registered. Cool air, calibrated, brushing her bare arms like an assessing hand. The kind of climate engineered to make people conscious of themselves, to remind them they were inside something exclusive, something expensive.

But she didn’t slow down, or stop to admire. That would be too... embarrassing?

Athena moved at her left, expression composed into elegant indifference. Chelsea hovered just behind, eyes bright, absorbing everything at once.

Areso held Gianna’s right flank, her stride unapologetic, heels clicking softly against polished marble, dressed like she belonged to danger and knew it.

In agreement, she was wearing one of the new pieces to be revealed tonight. Just a bangle, which Daphe had made available in record time—had it delivered in the early hours of the morning.

A bold bangle that had sparked more interest in the celebrity fashion designer when the ’meeting and greeting’ had ensued at their arrival.

Already, while outside, she had been grilled about the piece which wasn’t on Gianna’s site, or the Beckett’s site...

Meanwhile, just like outside, Gianna felt it before she fully saw it—the shift. Conversations thinned as she strolled with her friends. Laughter softening mid-note. Eyes snagging on her like loose threads pulled from fabric. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Stares.

Not gawking. Not admiration, not quite. This was appraisal.

And the murmurs came with it, slipping between bodies.

"...that’s her."

"...from Beckett’s."

"...I heard—"

"...she looks different in person."

"...younger than I expected."

Gianna didn’t bother completing the thoughts for them, or making it seem she was aware of them. Experience had taught her that people were duller once you gave them too much attention.

Her gaze moved instead, checking out the hall in one sweep, while trying to locate her colleagues from the Becketts.

The hall stretched wide and luminous, glass and brushed gold catching light from a ceiling designed to mimic heaven without the humility. Booths lined the space in strategic rows, each one competing for dominance in its own language.

Velvet trays. Controlled spotlights. Diamonds throwing sharp, arrogant sparks. Emeralds sitting heavy and self-satisfied. Pearls glowing with the quiet confidence of secrets.

Industry titans clustered in tailored suits and sculpted gowns. Buyers with smiles honed by years of leverage. Designers scanning faces with thinly veiled hunger. Assistants hovering, alert, disposable.

Gianna felt no nerves. Instead, there was a calm pressure behind her ribs. Not peace. Readiness.

Chelsea leaned closer, lips twitching. "If looks alone signed contracts," she murmured, "you’d already be closing deals."

Gianna let out a breath through her nose. "Behave."

"I am behaving," Chelsea said lightly. "I’m just observing that you’ve been inside for under a minute and half the room has already clocked you... and the pieces aren’t out yet."

"They’re not clocking her," Areso cut in, eyes sharp with amusement. "They’re measuring."

Athena hummed, barely audible. "Measurement implies comparison. Comparison implies threat."

Gianna’s fingers curled once, then relaxed around her clutch. She let herself take up space exactly as she was.

They moved deeper into the hall, steps unhurried. Smiles were offered now—polite, practiced, curious. Gianna returned them with a mild curve of her lips, the kind that revealed nothing.

Fragments followed them.

"...that cut Areso is wearing, is hers, isn’t it?"

"...Beckett’s is betting hard."

"...black onyx.... did you see—"

Chelsea’s quiet laugh brushed Gianna’s ear. "It seems you’re already winning."

"Don’t," Gianna warned softly.

"I’m not jinxing," Chelsea said. "I’m manifesting."

They reached a convergence point where foot traffic thickened. Gianna slowed, her gaze sharpened, scanning. Where was Vance? Daphne?

She exhaled in relief when she finally spotted him across the hall. Vance stood near the Beckett’s booth with Daphne, who was mid-conversation with a European buyer Gianna recognized instantly.

He looked up, caught Gianna’s gaze, and smiled.

"There’s your partner in crime," Athena murmured.

Gianna nodded. "I see him."

They closed the distance, weaving through clusters of conversation. As they approached, the booth resolved itself more clearly—and pride stirred within Gianna as she checked it out.

The Beckett’s didn’t shout. The display was sleek, restrained. Dark glass. Clean lines. Lighting angled to honor the pieces rather than overpower them.

Her designs, samples of ones already on the website, sat there like they belonged. Bold without excess. Intricate without apology. Each one carried intention.

And behind the almost-little booth was the row of chairs. Her eyes first met Mason’s smiling ones....

"Miss Gianna... you look great...." Vance spoke, after clearing his throat, stopping Gianna’s perusal.

"Thanks Vance. You cleaned up nice too..." And she meant it. First time seeing her partner in a three-piece suit, and she had to admit he wasn’t a babyish boy.

She listened as he greeted her friends, smiled when she noted the pink tip of his ears. Really?

"There are seats..." He led them around the booth toward the rows of chairs, where more greetings ensued, even with Arthur who shook Gianna’s hands with a knowing look.

"Everything ready?" He asked, glancing between her and Vance. Her friends had already taken their seats in the last row.

"Yes." Her confident smile made the older man chuckle and shake his head, right before he returned his attention to his son who hadn’t stopped checking Gianna out.

"Really? Is he going to just keep looking?" Areso, immediately Gianna joined them at the back.

"Let my director be. He is not obligated to do anything."

Chelsea rolled her eyes. "Wait, let Noah arrive. You will see the difference..."

Gianna sighed, shaking her head. As much as she was pleased that her friends were here... they can be a handful.

And when Athena jabbed her gently with her elbow, gesturing with a tilt of her head toward the west wing of the hall, she felt her heart rate quicken.

Noah. Breathtaking as usual, in a black themed three-piece suit.

Worse, he was approaching their booth.