Chapter 7

Van paused for a moment. He hadn't expected to be recognized, nor had he planned to be.

Winnie thought she hadn't made herself clear enough, so she elaborated, "Thank you for the umbrella and the shawl."

She felt that she and this man shared some kind of connection, however small, since he had seen her at her most disheveled.

Compared to the well-dressed, polished, fake upper-class crowd in the room, she preferred to talk to him more.

"Just a small favor, no need to mention it," Van said nonchalantly.

His nonchalance, combined with his air of sophistication, made it feel like there was an unspoken distance, cold and aloof.

Winnie understood that he believed she wasn't worthy of any deeper connection.

Even romantic encounters needed a definition. Without it, their interaction was just a simple exchange—he gave her an umbrella in the rain. With a definition, it could be called an encounter. But she wasn't entitled to that kind of definition.

Winnie, never one to self-inflict pain, smiled casually and brightly, accepting the situation with ease. "So, I guess I don't need to return the shawl to you."

Van extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray beside the corridor, which was filled with white pebbles. After exhaling the last puff of smoke, he half-closed his eyes and smiled. "Do you know how to get to the ballroom?"

Winnie paused for a moment, then nodded.

Van studied her carefully. "I'm embarrassed to admit, I've been lost for quite a while. Would you mind showing me the way?"

What a coincidence. She had just been worrying about making a graceful entrance, and now he was asking her to guide him. She hesitated for a moment before replying, "Don't you have a companion?"

"If you're willing to guide me, I suppose I'll have one," Van said with a hint of a smile.

Winnie bit her lip. Even though she was typically poised and confident, she felt a flicker of nervousness. She had taken advantage of the situation, so she stubbornly added, "I'm just guiding you."

Van flashed a smile, one hand slipping into his pocket while the other gestured politely, "After you."

Inside the ballroom, all eyes were scanning the room. Had the young heir of Marlowe Group arrived yet? It was rumored that he had, but which one was he? Everyone was afraid of missing the opportunity to meet an important person. Some people stood holding champagne glasses, smiling but silent, calmly waiting.

The moment the door opened, the sea breeze, carrying the damp moisture of the autumn rain, swept through the partially open window, tousling the hair of the two standing by the door.

Everyone's gaze shifted, and their expressions subtly changed in unison.

Mia let out a soft "Oh," not noticing that Wyatt nearly spilled his champagne.

Winnie didn't understand the subtle shift in the atmosphere around her. She assumed it was because her star power was too strong, and her tardiness had made people think she was playing hard to get. She straightened her back, walking with poise and grace, casually waving her fingers as she greeted several familiar faces with ease and confidence.

Van's gaze held a hint of interest. Winnie's theatrics seemed like those of a proud swan, but unlike others who feign sincerity in their hypocrisy, she openly played her part, unashamed to show that she was pretending, that she was putting on an act.

Van suddenly understood—this was her arrogance. Amid all the fame and glamour, she had to please people but couldn't be bothered to do it convincingly.

He wanted to laugh, but amidst the clinking of glasses and conversation, a formal farewell reached his ears, "We're even, Mr. So-and-so. Catch you later."

Van paused for a moment, but before he could respond, he saw that Winnie was already smiling brightly and heading toward the food table without looking back.

She signaled a waiter holding a tray with drinks, gracefully taking a glass of wine. Just as she was about to bring the glass to her lips, a woman's voice, intentionally forceful, spoke up next to her, "Really envy you. Not only can you win over Wyatt, but you also managed to hook the handsome guy. Impressive."

Winnie knew how people gossiped about her relationship with Wyatt, but she wasn't in a hurry to clarify. Instead, she gave a noncommittal smile. The woman was Evelyn, one of the few seasoned actresses in the room, and certainly one of the most high-profile.

Evelyn continued to press, asking, "Who is the man you came in with?"

As she asked, her gaze flickered over to the man now standing next to Edison, and like everyone else in the room, the same question arose in her mind.

"I don't know him," Winnie replied.

Evelyn squinted slightly. "Don't know him? Then how did you two come in together?"

Winnie couldn't explain, so she simply shrugged.

Evelyn scoffed. She was mocking Winnie for not being part of the industry, for not knowing better. With all the people in this room, who wouldn't be here for that man?

"Do you know Van?" Evelyn asked.

"Once at a banquet, someone pointed him out to me," Winnie casually replied. "He was standing far away, and when he entered, he had all eyes on him. I didn't get a good look. Why?" She straightened up and asked, somewhat surprised, "Is he coming today?"

"Oh my god, are you just here to make up the numbers?" Evelyn mocked her.

Winnie paused for a moment and then scanned the room again.