Chapter 34
The next day, Victoria received a call from Henry. He told her someone would pick her up.
When she went downstairs, she saw Grace standing by the car. Dressed in a formal suit, Grace looked sharp and professional. "Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Harrison asked me to take you for styling," Grace informed her.
"Okay," Victoria replied, nodding as she got into the car.
She was calm now, but when they arrived at their destination, Victoria was stunned. The boutique was filled with an array of feminine, elegant dresses and jewelry. Her expression nearly slipped out of control.
She thought, "Is he out of his mind? Sarah is already back in his life, and yet he still wants me to dress like Sarah. Doesn't he worry Sarah may find out and feel uncomfortable?"
The stylist rolled over a rack of clothes and said, "Mrs. Harrison, which one do you prefer?"
Victoria shook her head. "I don't like any of them."
The stylist froze for a moment. "But... Mr. Harrison said these were your favorites..."
Victoria rolled her eyes. Those were his favorites, not hers.
As she wandered around the store, a light blue dress caught her eye. Its shimmery fabric seemed to ripple like water, and the halter design revealed a graceful neckline and shoulders.
"That one," Victoria said, pointing at the dress.
The stylist nodded. "Got it. Please change into it, and we'll start the styling."
The charity gala was scheduled for seven that evening.
When Victoria finished her styling and walked out of the shop, a car door opened from across the street. Even from a distance, she could feel someone was staring at her.
She approached the car and slid into the seat. Henry was inside, his gaze locked on her the moment she entered.
Victoria's complexion was complemented by the blue gown, making her resemble an ice princess.
Her hair was elegantly styled, adorned with a diamond clip.
She wore pearl earrings that gleamed against her swan-like neck.
Her delicate shoulders and defined collarbones made her beauty seem almost ethereal, softening the striking features of her face.
She looked like a mermaid, silently enchanting everyone around her. Straightening her back, Victoria asked, "Well? Are you satisfied with my new look?"
Henry didn't say a word. He simply averted his gaze, though his Adam's apple moved slightly. The car started smoothly.
When they arrived at the venue, Victoria casually took Henry's arm as they exited the car. Her smile was perfectly measured, exuding grace.
As the heiress of the Hardwick family and Henry's wife, she was no stranger to such occasions. She had long since mastered the art of composure.
Inside the banquet hall, people quickly approached them to make small talk.
When their eyes fell on Victoria, they couldn't hide their astonishment.
All around her, people couldn't help but offer her heartfelt compliments.
Henry's expression, however, grew darker and colder.
Standing beside him, Victoria could even feel that coldness.
She didn't know why he was upset.
Holding her champagne, she turned to him and whispered, "Is there someone here you don't like?"
She thought he might have seen someone he disliked, which explained his sour face.
She herself, however, had to smile through gritted teeth despite she was detesting him.
She suddenly felt that she could be a good actress.
Henry's deep eyes briefly swept over her. Her gaze was bright and clear, tinged with a faint smile. He suddenly felt that she had changed so much, and this version of her made him feel unfamiliar yet oddly recognizable.
Before he could respond, a figure suddenly appeared, grabbing Victoria's arm.
Victoria jumped, startled. She turned to find herself face-to-face with a man whose features were striking yet unnervingly pale. His eyes bore into her with an intensity that made her uneasy, and the mole at the corner of his eye added an almost otherworldly allure.
He gripped Victoria's arm tightly, and the pressure made her wince in pain.
"Excuse me, sir. Who are you? Could you let go of me?" Victoria tried to pull her arm free.
But the man's hold only tightened. Victoria gasped in pain.
"Jayce!"
Henry's cold voice rang out, cutting through the tense moment. "Let her go."
"Jayce? Jayce Caldwell?" Victoria thought in disbelief, her eyes widening. She hadn't realized the man before she was Edward's grandson, Jayce.
The room had been dim that day, and she hadn't gotten a good look at him.
"I remember you," Jayce said, ignoring Henry entirely. His eyes remained fixed on Victoria.
"Could you please release me first?" Victoria's voice wavered as she felt the blood draining from her arm.
Jayce didn't seem to hear her. "I've seen you before," he repeated.
It was only then that Victoria realized the gravity of the situation. The day she went upstairs, she had tried to enter the room, but he had dropped something, knocking her mask off. She realized that he might have seen her face at that time.
After all, she had been married to Henry for five years, and she had never seen Jayce!
She thought, "This is bad. If he keeps talking, Henry may discover my secret identity."
Her heart raced as she hastily nodded. "Oh, sir, maybe you saw me at our wedding? I'm so sorry. I've lost my memory and don't remember much. May I ask who you are?"
Jayce pressed his lips together, his gaze stubbornly locked on her. "I've seen you," he insisted.
Victoria froze. She thought, "What does he want from me?"
Henry stepped in, prying Jayce's hand off Victoria's arm. He frowned and asked, "Did you come alone?"
Jayce shook off Henry's hand and continued staring at Victoria.
Henry stepped between them, his tone icy. "Jayce, she's my wife, Victoria."
At these words, Jayce's expression flickered with a change in emotion, his eyes momentarily revealing a crack of vulnerability. His already pale face seemed even more fragile as if he had been struck by a deep sense of loss.
Victoria's heart pounded. She feared Jayce might say something that would expose her. But looking at his broken, sorrowful expression, she suddenly felt a twinge of pity for him.
Jayce parted his lips, and after a long pause, he hoarsely said, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Victoria."
Victoria quickly nodded. "Nice to meet you."
Henry frowned. "Didn't Delia come with you?"
Jayce had severe depression and uncontrollable mood swings. Delia Becker, his bodyguard, had been by his side for years.
Jayce said nothing, his gaze occasionally drifting back to Victoria.
Feeling uneasy under his scrutiny, Victoria excused herself. "I'll go to the restroom."
She didn't want to be exposed. She knew she needed to come up with a plan.
Soon, Delia arrived, her face full of worry. "I'm sorry, Mr. Caldwell. I should have stayed with you the whole time."
Jayce looked down, silent, his demeanor distant and guarded.
Henry's eyes softened briefly with helplessness. "Do you like being at events like this?"
"No," Jayce rasped.
"Then go home," Henry said.
Jayce replied, "I came to find someone."