Chapter 168
Latham was taking Albert’s wedding way too seriously, turning it into his own personal project. “We’re picking out your outfit for the big day today,” he announced.
Dorothea gave him a look. “Isn’t that a bit much p>
He just blinked at her, acting like this was all perfectly normal. “Didn’t you say we have to bring a gift? You’re on a business trip the day after tomorrow. You’ll be back Friday. The wedding’s Saturday. I’ve got a dinner thing tomorrow, so today’s our only shot to get your dress sorted p>
Dorothea couldn’t figure him out. She wasn’t talking about the timing. She just didn’t see why two people going to a friend’s wedding needed a whole new wardrobe.
But Latham was all in. “You don’t get many chances to see Albert embarrass himself. Shouldn’t we show up looking amazing p>
She couldn’t help smirking. “Alright then p>
That afternoon, she let Latham drag her to a boutique, where she settled on a simple white satin dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline. Latham’s eyes lingered on her bare, porcelain neck.
“There’s an auction tonight. Want to check it out with me p>
Dorothea shook her head. “I’ve got an online meeting later. Need to get back to the office p>
“No problem. I’ll pick something out for you. Want the driver to take you p>
She waved him off. “I drove myself. No need to go through all that trouble. I’ll get there on my own p>
He didn’t push it.
After parking her car in the basement, Dorothea decided to grab a coffee outside the office. She wasn’t expecting the sky to just open up the second her drink was ready.
The rain was pouring, borderline violent, and the coffee shop was still a couple hundred meters from her building. If she ran for it, she’d be drenched.
She scrolled through her contacts, debating who she could call to bring her an umbrella. That’s when she heard a familiar, gentle voice.
“Dorothea, did you forget your umbrella?” Edmond was smiling, holding a sleek black umbrella in one pale hand.
He lifted it a little. “I brought one. If you don’t mind, want to walk back together p>
It wasn’t like she had a choice. Her meeting was about to start, and she’d cut it pretty close already. She kept her tone polite but distant. “Thank you. Sorry for the trouble p>
Edmond was the perfect gentleman, angling most of the umbrella her way. She noticed his shoulder was already getting soaked.
“You don’t need to lean it all toward me. It’s a big umbrella. Just move in a little p>
He nodded, his dark eyes glinting. “If we walk fast, we won’t get too wet p>
They made it to the building in five minutes, even with the rain coming down in sheets.
As soon as they stepped inside, Dorothea instinctively put some space between them. “Thanks, Edmond. I’ll head up first p>
He was busy closing the umbrella. “Of course. Go ahead p>
For her, it was just a minor detour in her day, not worth a second thought.
But Latham’s phone buzzed with a new message. It was a photo.
He checked it, barely interested, until his face suddenly went cold.
Through the rainy blur, he
recognized Dorothea’s silhouette et
instantly. The guy beside her, tall
and slim, was looking at her in a way
that was definitely not platonic.
Anyone seeing them like that, sharing an umbrella, would probably think they were a couple.
Latham stared at the anonymous number, his expression unreadable.
Who was pulling this little stunt now?
Later, at the auction, when the auctioneer presented a deep green emerald necklace, Latham barely hesitated before raising his paddle “Fifty million p>
The color green felt especially fitting right then.
Dorothea finished her meeting at ten and headed to the parking lot, not expecting to
find Latham leaning against her car, waiting.
She blinked in surprise. “You’re done already p>
She realized the auction must have ended around this time.
He watched her, eyes unreadable. “Yeah. I got you a necklace. See if you like it p>
She took the box and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace—stunning, really.
It didn’t
Jd match her new
dress, but Dorothea wasn’t a
be ungrateful. “It’s
beautiful.
you You really went off out content.net>
He smiled, a little dangerously. “Nothing’s too much for you. As long as you don’t
turn me green, I’d pull down the stars for you p>