Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
SOPHIE
If someone were to pass by Maison de Lys, they would probably think it was a private residence. Though people with money usually prefer to have their estates outside the city, not in the center.
It was huge, surrounded by fences and trees at the front that provided privacy, preventing outsiders from viewing the entrance.
I used to be a constant guest here, chattering with Anne and our other friends while fitting dresses.
Madame Noir, the owner, was already waiting for us in front of the entrance, surrounded by attendants ready to see to our needs.
“Fifi, you are as lovely as I remember!” She smiled, waving to me. “Or should I call you Mrs. Rowks?” She winked but didn’t move to embrace me.
“Please, Madame Noir, just call me Fifi. Nothing has changed.” I smiled back. “Am I early?”
“Not at all,” came a high-pitched response from her mouth. “The bride will be here soon. Let me show you the way.”
I took a step forward, gesturing for the two bodyguards to stay outside. I assumed one would have been enough, but if two were what gave Viktor peace of mind, then two it was.
The entry hall was the same as I last visited. The marble floor, mirrored panels, and scent of French perfume remained the same. A few members of the atelier staff were heading down from the second floor, where I knew the tailors were still working.
She gestured to the right, where the largest of the reception rooms was located, specifically designed for such occasions, with pale gold walls, gilded mirrors, and high windows that looked directly onto the inner garden.
I sat on one of the antique sofas that matched the room’s color palette, while a few assistants followed us. Before they could even ask what to bring, I turned to Madame Noir, mentioning I might need a few other dresses as well.
When Cath entered the room with Anne—who moved with the careful grace of someone six months pregnant—I couldn’t hide my smile.
“I am so happy you came!” they said nearly together.
“As I promised.” My lips curled up without me realizing.
It didn’t take long until other giggling voices came from across the doorway. And our chuckles didn’t stop even when guests trickled in one by one, their perfumes blending with the scent of the room.
There were air-kisses, the usual polite exclamations about the hot weather that shifted into discussions of upcoming summer vacations, and eventually gowns.
I stood there smiling calmly and nodding where needed, accepting some compliments and giving some myself. And for a moment, it seemed I was nineteen again—a bubbly girl with a pure smile, without any worry.
We cheered with champagne as Cath paraded in her gowns. The church and reception dresses had been settled weeks ago, but the evening one was still “under debate,” as she called it, as was the ensemble for her honeymoon departure.
While two seamstresses hovered nearby with hands full of pins and measuring tape, the rest of us were far more absorbed in gossip than silk or lace.
“I don’t want to sound nosy, but is it true that you and your husband are living in different wings?” one of the girls asked.
“Pardon?” the word left my mouth.
How on earth did information about our living arrangement get out? Red filled my vision. Yes, we were still sleeping in different wings. That didn’t mean we lived separate lives.
I looked at Catherine. Her face was blank, but I was sure it wasn’t her. Nor could it be my mother or Anne.
“Miranda!” Mark’s sister exclaimed. “Those are all baseless rumors Alissa is spreading.”
Alissa? She got what she wanted. Now was it that hard to let me go? And how had she even learned that information?
Ah! Through Edmond, and Edmond from Rafa.
My nostrils flared, and my palms burned with pain from the nails I dug into them as I looked at Anne. Did she know about this as well?
Her apologetic look told me precisely what I needed to know.
“No one believes those petty rumors. Everyone knows she’s still bitter because her husband is practically never at home,” another girl, Ava, said.
“And my husband mentioned it’s actually very hard to arrange dinners or private meetings with Mr. Rowks lately.
Everyone knows he values his time with his wife.
” She smiled at me, her eyes lingering a beat too long.
Miranda, on the other hand, seemed devastated. “I am so sorry for that remark. I didn’t mean any offense. I just thought it would be good to clear up baseless rumors.” Her hand slipped to her forehead. “This is all the champagne talking.”
I blinked. “Everything is fine.”
A nasty feeling twisted in my stomach. The rumors were spreading. But it was none of their business if we were sharing a wing, a room, or a bed—regardless of the accuracy.
Were they laughing behind my back? Saying how lucky I was that someone like Viktor had picked me? Or were they envious that it was me?
“Besides, wasn’t Viktor actually always in love with Sophie?” one of the other girls said, probably referring to the story that had been fed to the press.
Miranda’s face brightened. “You’re right! I remember how he wouldn’t be able to take his gaze off you! So romantic.”
Not that I believed a word. Damage control.
The flattery continued, and only when Catherine came out from the small changing room, parading her fifth choice of evening dress, did I manage to breathe freely.
Like the others, the gown was ivory silk, with delicate beading along the neckline, catching the light with every movement.
“I like this one better,” I said, touching my own collarbone.
Cath lit up, spinning around the podium, trying on accessories to complement the dress while we kept cheering.
It was when we reached her departure dress and were arguing about the length that one of the attendants leaned closer, whispering in my ear. “Edmond Renier has asked for a moment of your attention. What would you wish us to do?”
I closed my eyes, making myself breathe. The day was only starting to get better. Yet… This was such an Edmond thing to do.
I should have expected it. Though I thought he would be smarter than to try to meet me in such a place, knowing full well what kind of twisted rumors might spread.
The attendant turned toward Anne as she came closer, whispering, “What happened?”
“Mr. Renier asked to meet Mrs. Rowks. He mentioned something about Atlas Telecom,” the attendant repeated in the same calm voice. “He was very persistent.”
“Atlas?” Though Anne’s voice was barely audible, it caught Ava’s attention.
A second later, the word left her mouth much louder. “Atlas?”
And this time everyone, including my sister in her ivory gown, was looking at me.
I took a deep breath, and when I spoke my tone was the same as the one I used when talking with my CEO. “It’s one of Rowks Holdings’ divisions. I’ve been working on it since February.”
“Is that the one Rafa was competing with?” Anne’s voice came in surprise.
“Was he? We’ve only started to get on our feet.” A soft laugh escaped me. “There’s much to do to get on the same level as MoRen Systems.”
There was silence for a moment before the attendant coughed, bringing my attention back to the main question.
Should I see him or not?
It wasn’t like I had anything to say, nor did I believe his excuse about Atlas.
But where had he gotten the information?
Only a certain number of people knew about my participation.
And while it was not a secret, it wasn’t in any way official.
To the public, it was known as a Rowks special project led by Ms. Lind and the new CEO.
“It’s Edmond. He and Rafa are co-founders of MoRen Systems—Atlas’ competitor.
He said he had something to discuss. I guess he wants to solve some issues regarding our last promotions himself, since my brother can’t deny anything to me.
” I smiled. If there were going to be rumors, I’d better be the one in charge of them.
Knowing Edmond, he wouldn’t leave until he got what he wanted.
And even if Madame Noir and security escorted him out, it wasn’t beyond him to make a scene.
That, at my sister’s bridal fitting, when her smile was still bright, was the last thing I needed.
At least I wanted to confront him about the rumors he’d spread.
He probably knew what he was doing when he passed them to Alissa.
“Ah, Rafa mentioned something about it.” Anne tucked one of her curls behind her ear, exchanging glances with Cath. “So it could be important. What if I assist you?”
I looked at everyone, trying to guess what rumors would leave the room if I agreed or disagreed. Eventually, I turned to the attendant who had brought the news. “Ask my bodyguards to be nearby.”
In the hallway, I turned to Anne, trying to keep my pace comfortable for her. “What exactly did Rafael mention?”
“Oh, I was improvising. But he seemed distressed about Atlas passing MoRen in internet speed and quality.” She halted for a moment, taking a breath, before stepping again. “I didn’t know you were leading it. Is that what you meant when you said you were busy?”
“Well…” My shoes became suddenly fascinating.
“Therapy… Business. What else are you keeping from us?” She shook her head, but I could hear a hint of hurt in her voice.
Guilt twisted in my stomach, but I didn’t manage to answer as we neared the second wing, where another two fitting rooms were located. Similar to the VIP one, only smaller, with a blue color palette for one and red for the other.
“This way.” The attendant gestured to the first one.
“I’ll stay here,” Anne said, gesturing toward the settee under the wall.
I nodded, not minding if she eavesdropped. Besides, I would probably have no option but to tell her everything afterward, word for word.
My gaze found the bodyguards who appeared in the corridor. They acknowledged me before positioning themselves nearby as I entered the room.