I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis
Chapter 159 - 160 Good News

Chapter 159: Chapter 160 Good News

Yvaine rang just after eight.

I was halfway through doing my eyeliner.

‘Mira, you want me to come pick you up?’

‘No need.’ I held the phone between my shoulder and ear and reached for my mascara. ‘It’s not even nine. The wedding starts at noon. I’ll drive over myself.’

She giggled on the other end. ‘I’m already on my way. Couldn’t sleep a damn minute last night, I was so keyed up. Rachel’s wedding!’

‘Alright, alright, I’m coming. I’ll find you when I get there.’

‘Yes, please. Don’t leave me with my mother’s side of the family.’

Yvaine had been bouncing about her cousin’s wedding for a week.

Said she was more excited than if it were her own.

I believed her.

I got to the venue just before eleven, still plenty of time before the ceremony.

Yvaine grabbed my arm the second she saw me and dragged me through the side corridor towards the bridal suite.

‘Come on, let’s see if Rachel needs anything.’

She didn’t.

Rachel’s people had already covered everything—makeup artists, stylists, planners, hotel staff, a fussy old woman who might’ve been a florist or just someone’s aunt with opinions.

We stood there smiling like spare coat racks for about ten minutes before Rachel’s maid of honour gently suggested we head back downstairs.

The banquet hall was almost full when we returned.

Polished floors, crystal glasses, gold trim on everything.

I didn’t even want to guess what the floral arrangements cost.

Yvaine leaned in, scanning the room. ‘Is Ashton not coming?’

‘He is. Just running late.’ I checked my phone. ‘Had a meeting this morning. Said he’ll be here right after.’

Rachel’s father had some minor deals with LGH last year.

Add to that my friendship with Rachel, and of course Ashton was going to show face.

Yvaine and I were wandering near the bar, trying not to ogle the cocktails.

I turned my head and spotted Octavia Grey walking in through the front entrance, heels sharp, dress silver, hair slicked into a low knot.

Phones went up instantly.

Half the room swivelled towards her.

I stepped away from Yvaine. ‘Miss Grey, I didn’t know you were coming.’

She lit up when she saw me. ‘How many times do I have to tell you, call me Octavia. Rachel and I went to school together. I’m giving a speech later, actually.’

A crowd had formed.

Everyone who wasn’t already filming her looked like they were about to crawl across the carpet for a selfie.

I tilted my head towards the back. ‘You’d better get moving. You’re causing traffic.’

She grinned. ‘Right. I’ll go catch up with Rachel first. See you later.’

She turned to go, then pivoted back and lowered her voice. ‘Wait. Got some good news for you.’

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards a corner behind the flower wall where no one was hovering with a camera.

‘I heard about what happened with the Aureate Awards.’

I winced. ‘Yeah. How do you know that?’

And how could me getting disqualified count as good news?

She gave a short laugh through her nose. ‘The sponsors are European. One of their sub-brands wants me as a spokesperson. I was on a call with them yesterday. It came up.’

‘Oh.’

Just hearing it brought back the whole mess.

I hadn’t cried over it, but the second the phone call came, I’d wanted to put my fist through my workbench.

Octavia noticed. She paused, smiled like she’d been holding onto a secret too long, then said, ‘I got your spot reinstated.’

I stared. ‘You’re serious?’

‘Of course I am. They want me on their ads. They’ll do whatever I tell them.’

Gratitude kicked in first, then doubt crawled in after it.

‘I don’t know how to thank you. But... what if people find out and say I pulled strings? Say I cheated my way in?’

Octavia huffed. ‘That spot was yours to begin with. I just got it back for you. If you’d asked Ashton to sort it, he wouldn’t even have to speak. One call from his assistant and it’d be done.’

She nudged me with an elbow. ‘I don’t get why you didn’t ask him. Wasting that kind of connection is kind of dumb. Don’t blame me for being blunt. Honestly, I landed my first big acting role with his help, but can you say I cheated? That I didn’t have the talent deserving of the opportunity?’

She wasn’t wrong.

It was blunt, but it was true.

I smiled. ‘Thank you, truly.’

‘Don’t mention it. Oh, also, they want me as a judge. I said yes. Sounds fun. Don’t freeze up when I’m scoring your work.’

‘I won’t. I’ve handled worse.’

‘Good. I’m off to find Rachel. You’ll probably hear from the organisers before the day’s over.’

‘Got it.’

Once she disappeared into the crowd, I turned back to find Yvaine.

I’d just filled her in when someone near the canapé table let out a whisper.

‘Who are they? Damn, he’s gorgeous.’

We both glanced at the entrance.

Cassian Langford had just walked in with some woman clinging to his arm.

He was in a charcoal suit, perfectly cut, collar stiff, hair slicked back.

She was tall, flawless skin, wearing a slate-grey dress with sheer sleeves.

Her arm looped around his, and her chest pressed right against his side.

I didn’t hold back. ‘I wish Emmett had beat him up worse.’

I looked at Yvaine.

She was staring at the doorway like she’d forgotten to blink.

This was her cousin’s wedding. Her family’s event.

And he’d shown up like that, like he wanted her to see. Like he wanted her to choke on it.

The people around us were still talking.

‘That’s the Langford kid, right? And that’s Alexis Rivera with him?’

‘The Rivera heiress?’

‘Yeah, looks like it. They look good together.’

‘Not just looks. The families match too. Probably planning an engagement.’

‘He’s never brought anyone out in public before. If she’s here now, it’s serious.’

Their voices blended into one long string of smug praise.

Yvaine’s hand brushed mine.

‘Let’s go,’ she said quietly.

Cassian spotted us before we could disappear.