Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 80: The Convention

Today was the jewelry convention. Gianna stood before the full-length mirror in her room, perfectly still, as if moving too quickly might disrupt the moment.

Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, brushing her reflection with a soft glow, and for a heartbeat she simply looked at herself—not critically, not doubtfully, but with a quiet kind of recognition.

She was dressed to the nines.

Her tailored ivory suit hugged her frame with deliberate precision, the blazer cinched subtly at the waist, the trousers falling clean and elegant over her hips before tapering down her legs.

Beneath it, a silk blouse in a muted champagne shade caught the light every time she breathed, smooth and understated, expensive without shouting.

Around her neck lay one of her own creations—a statement necklace, bold yet refined, interlocking gold curves cradling a deep emerald centerpiece. It rested just above her collarbone, commanding attention without begging for it.

Her earrings echoed the design—emerald drops framed in gold, delicate but unmistakable. Her wrists bore no clutter, just a slim gold watch and a single bracelet.

Her face was flawlessly beat. Soft contouring sharpened her cheekbones without harshness, her brows sculpted, her lashes full but natural. A muted rose gloss gave her lips a polished warmth. Her hair fell in loose, controlled waves down her back, glossy and alive, parted just slightly off-center.

She looked...ready.

Behind her, chaos hummed.

"Okay, no," Chelsea announced dramatically, folding her arms. "This is illegal. You can’t just wake up and look like that."

Areso let out a low whistle, appreciative. "Woman on fire," she declared. "Actual flames. I’m sweating just looking at you."

Athena leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, lips curved into a knowing smile. Her gaze lingered on Gianna’s reflection with unmistakable pride. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"You look like you own the building already," she said. "Which, honestly, might happen by the end of the day."

Gianna laughed, the sound light as she adjusted one earring, checking the clasp. "You people are ridiculous."

Chelsea scoffed. "Don’t lie. You love it."

"Maybe," Gianna admitted, meeting their eyes in the mirror. "A little."

She knew part of the hypes were made to ease down her nerves... but really, she was fine. If anything, she was damn excited!

Areso wiggled her brows. "So," she said casually, too casually. "Is Noah coming?"

Gianna groaned. "Here we go."

"Come on! After those boxes he delivered yesterday???? Tell me, there is a date!"

Gianna rolled her eyes. Sometimes, Areso can be one too many.

Chelsea perked up immediately. "Wait, that’s true. Is he coming?"

Athena tilted her head, studying Gianna’s expression clinically. "You should tell us. Because if he is, I want to be prepared to maybe welcome him into the family..."

"Hear! Hear!" Areso chimed, raising an invisible glass to the air.

Gianna shook her head, laughter bubbling out of her. "I don’t know. And really? Welcome him? Because of some boxes of ...."

"Girl, don’t complete that statement..." Chelsea teased, shaking her head comically. "At least he is more action-driven than Mason who only calls to check in..."

Gianna shook her head. She shouldn’t have talked about Mason. Now, her friends had a field day with comparisons.

"What do you think she is thinking about?"

"Oh, it’s always about him," Areso teased. "At least in this silence."

Gianna turned from the mirror, resting her hands on her hips. "I am thinking about gemstones, suppliers, bulk buyers, and whether Vance remembered to label the cases properly."

Chelsea blinked. "That was...very specific."

Then, they all burst into boisterous laughter.

"Okay...this is too much..." But Gianna was chuckling. "It’s time to leave... everything is set."

And it really was.

She wasn’t nervous. Not in the way they expected. No jittery hands. No pacing. No spiraling thoughts. She had planned this—every meeting she wanted to initiate, every collection she wanted to examine, every supplier she hoped to speak with.

She had a mental map of the floor plan, a short list of people to impress, and a longer list of people to watch.

Networking. Visibility. Expansion. She needed her collection bulk-bought. She needed doors opened.

And today, she would shine.

A small smile touched her lips at the thought, distant, thoughtful. Her friends immediately pounced on it.

"Oh my God," Chelsea gasped. "She’s smiling like that."

"She’s thinking of him," Areso declared triumphantly.

Gianna didn’t bother correcting them, not minding that her widening smile didn’t help her matter. Let them think what they wanted.

Downstairs, Old Mr. Thorne stood waiting, dressed in casual clothes, eyes sharp with approval the moment he saw her descend the stairs.

"Well," he said warmly. "Would you look at that."

Gianna beamed and walked over, hugging him tightly. "Wish me luck."

He chuckled, patting her back. "You have enough... where are the others?" His eyes smiled when he saw his granddaughter climbing down.

"You all are looking beautiful. And yes, none of you are driving today..."

Gianna paused. "I beg your pardon?"

"The limousine is ready," he continued smoothly. "Driver’s waiting. Rodney will be riding with you."

Gianna opened her mouth to protest, then closed it, smiling despite herself. "You really didn’t have to."

"I really did," he replied.

She made a show of sighing, dramatic and exaggerated, before hugging Florence who came out of the kitchen then. "Fine. I accept my fate."

The limousine ride was the hum of quiet luxury as the city passed by. Gianna watched the streets roll past, her reflection faint in the glass, heart swelling with anticipation.

And when there just a few miles away from the venue, Athena slipped her hand into Gianna’s without a word, squeezing gently.

"You’ve got this," she murmured.

Gianna squeezed back. "I know."

—-

The venue buzzed with life.

Light décor framed the entrance—sleek banners, polished glass, soft lighting that reflected off passing cars. People milled about in clusters, laughter ringing out, cameras flashing as designers and buyers stepped out of vehicles, greeting one another with air-kisses and firm handshakes.

But when the limousine pulled up, attention shifted. Gianna noticed it instantly—the way heads turned, the subtle pause in conversation.

She smiled. Old Mr. Thorne knew exactly what he was doing, telling them to ride in this luxurious car.

She stepped out, poised, her friends flanking her. The moment felt electric. Conversations hushed, then resumed louder, curious. Smiles appeared. Eyes lingered.

Bees to honey. That’s what it seemed like, as they trooped toward her. Especially with her newest tag as Noah Newman ’s girlfriend, especially with her very popular friends by her side.

She didn’t need to search for anyone. Not when they came to her.

She needn’t have racked her brain last night, coming up with plots. She thought, stretching out her hand to a potential investor. Influence was just enough.