THE LOST HEIRESS RETURNS AFTER DIVORCE
Chapter 105: Production After-Party

Chapter 105: Production After-Party

Heather nearly laughed. Penny’s calm and focused face made it even funnier. Her hand didn’t even flinch as she applied the last coat of gloss.

Sheng gave her a look. "Do not cause a scene tonight."

"No promises," Penny said sweetly.

Heather didn’t speak. She wasn’t really listening anymore. Their voices faded into a hum, like background music to her thoughts.

This was supposed to be her time off. A few weeks of breathing room, no scripts, no lights, no manufactured smiles.

And yet here she was again, being painted up like a doll, polished for a room she didn’t want to walk into.

She pressed her hands together and focused on her breathing. She didn’t know what Lauren was really up to—but she’d seen enough of this industry to know a peace offering was rarely just that.

The limo slowed.

Sheng looked out the tinted glass. "They moved the venue," he said, mostly to himself. "And she didn’t even tell me. It’s not at the company anymore."

Penny tensed. "That wasn’t in the message."

"No. But this is where the pin dropped. I’ll check it out." Sheng opened the door and stepped out, signaling to two bouncers posted nearby. "Stay in the car," he told them, and the door shut again.

Penny tucked away her makeup kit and gave Heather a look. "Want me to throw a drink in her face if she gets close?"

Heather didn’t answer. Her eyes were distant, and focused on nothing. The moment felt heavy. It felt almost as being compared to something shifting just beneath the surface—something she couldn’t quite see.

A few minutes later, Sheng returned. He pulled open the door, and said, "It’s fine. Come on out."

Heather stepped out of the limo, heels meet the pavement briefly with the familiar click of attention.

The cameras hadn’t spotted her yet, but she felt eyes shift anyway. The kind of presence that was harder to hide than light.

She straightened her back and adjusted the sleek fall of her dress.

The venue was stunning—oversized chandeliers, gold accents, marble floors that stretched like a runway. But it felt cold and performed. A beautiful place for dangerous people to pretend.

As she walked in, Penny trailing behind, she spotted a few familiar faces.

"Oh my G*d, Heather! You actually came!" Miguel shrieked with joy, rushing to greet her. He looked fabulous as always—outlandish and loud, with glitter on his lashes and a coat so oversized it brushed the floor.

Heather had barely stepped inside before he was all over her at the door. It looked almost like he had been waiting all night just for her.

"Hi, Miguel." She air-kissed him, brushing her cheek near his. She smiled—polite but measured. "This is Penny." Penny just stood beside her.

Her face wasn’t exactly welcoming; she didn’t know how to pretend to like someone who didn’t like Heather. And Miguel is one of the biggest pretenders.

She recalled him saying things about Heather online and supporting Lauren when she was flirting with Caius in open.

"Hi," Miguel gave a broken fake smile, unable to meet Penny’s killer gaze.

She didn’t respond, she kept making him feel uncomfortable with her eyes and silence.

"So, how are you?" Heather asked, trying to ease the tension.

"Oh, I’m barely alive." Miguel said dragging his long nails to his forehead.

Penny hadn’t stopped staring at how long it was, and Heather knew she was going to talk about it, she interrupted her quickly.

"Are you still designing for my halfsister?" Heather didn’t know why she asked something she wasn’t even interested in.

"No," Miguel said with sad eyes.

"I guess all that fandom and ass kissing wasnt worth it." Penny cocked her head to the side with a bright mocking smile.

"I chose the wrong side!" Miguel shrieked. "Anyway, Heather. I didn’t think you ever did these things! You’re always so... elusive."

"I go where I’m invited," she replied, her smile cool and calculated.

She watched his words die in his mouth and that only made her smirk just a little more.

"I have to introduce you to some people. You’ll love them."

He led her through the main hall, as they went in, Heather saw her former child star who once made headlines for a scandal involving his co-star’s wife.

He was smiling now, dazzling and clean-cut, hugging a producer who once bribed journalists with exclusive photos of his own wedding.

Heather smiled as she passed them. She waved a little.

"Isn’t that Yaya?" Penny gushed.

Heather turned her focus to where Penny pointed. And she saw the singer. Now she was performing live, but there was a rumor that revealed she’s unnecessarily rude.

"I’m going to say ’hi’ later."

Heather only stared at Penny. She wasn’t sure the singer would want association.

Now she was standing on stage throwing kisses for the camera, but she even threw her assistant backstage into a swimming pool for fun.

And her voice used to make them cry in high school.

"Heather, this is Jin." Miguel said holding her hand like a trophy.

"Hi, Heather." Jin said sweetly.

"Have you seen her new ring?" Miguel beamed.

While Jin held up her finger for Heather to see her shining million dollar ring.

Was she now married to the director?

Everyone knew she had apparently dated a director old enough to be her grandfather, but insisted they met "through shared artistic vision."

"I made it myself."

Oh. Heather breathed in. "Well, it looks beautiful."

Everyone was shimmering and pretending.

Heather smiled at them all. But in her mind, she narrated the truth, each little secret played in her head and she compared it to a highlight reel from a show no one knew they were starring in.

She hated that she knew so much. And more that it kept her alive here.

Still she kept smiling and walking, she passed a group of influencers in identical dresses.

One of them tried to fake a gasp of delight at seeing her.

Heather returned the smile and turned her gaze back to the room. That’s when she saw her.

Lauren.

And she didn’t need a camera to catch the moment—she saw it clearly. The way Lauren’s smile twitched when one of her friends leaned in to whisper something.

And her eyes narrowed just a fraction when she saw Heather. There was a visible groaned from Lauren, but she quickly masked it behind a glowing grin as she turned toward her.

Heather tilted her head, just slightly.

Lauren was walking toward her now, arms beginning to open. The smile on her face was flawless.

Heather’s fingers curled around her purse at her side, but she didn’t smile back.