My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 25

At 6 PM, after finishing work, I headed straight to the underground parking lot to wait for Alexander. It wasn’t long before he arrived.

James escorted us to a private styling studio.

Once the makeup and styling were done, I went to change and then stepped out, holding the edge of my dress.

Alexander had already finished his styling and was sitting on the sofa, waiting for me. When he heard my approach, he looked up, momentarily stunned.

I had my eyes slightly narrowed, lips painted with a shade matching my eyeshadow, giving off a seductive yet lively look.

My hair wasn’t styled elaborately—just casually down, with the ends curled slightly to frame my face.

I wore a light blue off-shoulder gown, exposing both shoulders and making my skin appear porcelain white.

I walked up to him and twirled around. “How’s this look?”

Snapping back to reality, Alexander nodded, his gaze falling to the high heels on my feet. “Your ankle is still healing. Will wearing high heels be uncomfortable for you?”

“It’s fine,” I shook my head.

“Better switch to flats.”

Thinking of the baby in my belly, I agreed, “Alright.”

Alexander gestured, and the staff brought over a pair of flat shoes to match my gown. I sat down on the sofa, bent down to take off my heels, and Alexander knelt in front of me. “Let me help you.”

His careful and serious expression made me freeze for a moment.

His hand gently cradled my ankle, carefully slipping off each high heel, then picking up the flats from the box and slipping them onto my feet one by one.

I watched him, feeling the warmth of his touch, and an involuntary wave of emotion surged in my heart.

After I changed shoes, Alexander stood up. “Let’s go.”

I hooked my arm through his. “It’s my first time at an event like this. If there are any rules, let me know.”

“Mm,” Alexander nodded. “These events are just a way to pass time. There will be a jewelry auction later. If you see anything you like, let me know.”

“Got it.”

When we arrived at the venue, we walked arm in arm down the red carpet and into the hall.

“CEO Hawthorne is here—what a rare sight!”

“CEO Hawthorne seems to be in great spirits.”

“CEO Hawthorne, about the real estate development project in the east of the city...”

A few well-dressed men approached us with their female companions. Alexander exchanged pleasantries with them.

One of the men pointed to me, a suggestive smile on his face. “CEO Hawthorne, and who might this be?”

“My sister, Vivienne.”

I smiled and greeted them, though an uncomfortable feeling gnawed at me inside.

“So this is Miss Vivienne, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Miss Vivienne should attend more of these events.”

After the greetings, Alexander leaned in close to my ear and said, “I have a few friends over there. I’m going to say hi. There are some snacks over there. If you get bored, feel free to sit and relax. I’ll come find you when the auction starts.”

“Okay.”

I headed over to the dessert table, picked up a sweet treat, and grabbed a glass of wine before finding a quiet corner to sit.

As I ate the dessert, I discreetly observed the people around the event. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Almost everyone attending the gala was part of Virellia City’s elite, some of whom came from substantial backgrounds.

This was my first time at such an event.

I knew I didn’t belong to this circle.

I wasn’t a direct member of The Hawthorne Dynasty, nor had I grown up within it. My status here was clearly lower. Everyone was polite to me on the surface, but I couldn’t be sure they truly respected me.

Among Alexander’s friends, except for Maximus, I always felt there was an unbridgeable distance between them and me.

They could joke freely with Isabella, but with me, there was always an invisible wall between us.

This was truly their world.

Not long after, a fashionable woman walked over and sat next to me. “Hey, why are you sitting all alone?”

I looked up at her and smiled slightly. “I injured my ankle a few days ago, so I can’t stand for long.”

She glanced at my ankle and didn’t say anything more, but instead nudged me with her elbow. “I’m Charlotte. What’s your name?”

"Vivienne."

Charlotte shifted slightly, lowering her voice. "I saw you came in with Alexander. How did you end up with him?"

I turned and looked at her, sizing up her outfit carefully.

She was dressed expensively, but the style was already outdated. The handbag she carried was an old model from a niche brand.

Seeing that I didn’t answer, Charlotte continued, "With your look, Alexander must have spent quite a bit on you, right? Men like him, the rich ones, they’re hard to deal with, aren’t they?"

"I wouldn’t know."

"Don’t be like that. Share some experience with me! You don’t know, my old man is so stingy. I begged him for a long time before he finally brought me to this party. Otherwise, I would’ve kicked him to the curb long ago."

"I don’t know. I didn’t catch him." I picked up my drink and dessert, standing up to sit elsewhere.

Charlotte watched my retreating figure and snorted coldly.

Already acting like a "bitch," and still pretending to be pure?

The door to the banquet hall opened continuously, with more people arriving. I absentmindedly glanced up, and suddenly saw a familiar figure—Isabella Blackwood.

She was here too.

"What are you looking at?" A male voice spoke beside me, and Julian sat down next to me.

I snapped back to reality and saw Julian. "You’re here too?"

"Talent Agent sent me here. I didn’t expect to see you. How’s your foot?"

"It’s almost healed."

"That’s good. Are you here alone?"

"I came with CEO Hawthorne."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "I just saw Isabella."

I thought she came with Alexander. Wait... isn’t that her?"

I followed Julian’s gaze and scanned the sparse crowd. There, I saw Isabella standing in front of Alexander, speaking to him in low tones. Alexander wore a gentle smile, looking every bit like a couple deeply in love.

A sharp pang twisted in my chest, and my face went pale.

I quickly turned away, forcing myself to shift the topic. "When does Empire of Shadows start filming? When do you join the cast? Maybe I can visit the set if I have time."

It was only then that I realized Isabella was the female lead in Empire of Shadows.

Julian didn’t seem to notice the unease in my voice. He smiled and replied, "Like I said, I’ll be joining the cast at the end of the month. I’ll let you know, and you have to come see me."

I absentmindedly nodded. "Mm."

We continued chatting for a bit longer.

Julian casually remarked, "The charity auction’s about to start. I think Isabella will sit with CEO Hawthorne, so why don’t you sit next to me?"

I shook my head. "I’d rather not. There might be reporters."

Julian nodded in agreement. "True."

After finishing my dessert, Julian asked, "What do you want to eat? I’ll go get it for you."

"Could you bring me a chocolate cake, please? Thanks."

Julian stood up and returned with two pieces of chocolate cake from the dessert table. "Here you go."

"Thank you."

"Vivienne."

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and saw Alexander standing in front of me, his gaze dark and intense, like the night itself.

"CEO Hawthorne." I responded quietly.

Julian and Alexander exchanged brief greetings.

Alexander’s eyes flicked over Julian, giving him a brief nod before turning back to me. In a low voice, he said, "The auction’s about to start. Come sit with me."

"Okay." I smiled, stood up, and turned to Julian. "Goodbye, we’ll talk again soon."

A shadow seemed to flicker across Alexander’s expression.

"Next time, then," Julian said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something I couldn’t quite place.