But moments later, his gaze found the entrance once more.
Juliet still hadn't arrived.
A faint frown appeared between his brows. Surely she had already heard that he was attending tonight with Alexa. Knowing Juliet, she would never be able to stay away.
She would come.
She always came.
Vincent could already picture it perfectly—Juliet storming into the auction, furious after seeing him with another woman, demanding answers and making a scene out of jealousy.
The thought made him let out a cold, amused laugh.
"She's probably going to show up and start another argument the moment she sees us together."
A smug smile tugged at the corner of Vincent's lips as he lazily swirled the champagne in his glass. Standing beside him, Alexa leaned into his side, one hand wrapped possessively around his arm while Griffin and Nolan exchanged subtle glances.
"But I'm not indulging her this time," Vincent continued, his voice calm but laced with arrogance. He adjusted the cuff of his suit with his free hand, looking every bit the confident businessman. "She's gotten too comfortable challenging me and doing whatever she wants."
He raised the glass to his lips and took a measured sip before lowering it again.
"If she wants to be my wife, then she needs to learn how to respect me."
Chapter 31 Meeting The Parents
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a sudden ripple swept through the ballroom.
Conversations gradually died down.
One by one, people turned toward the entrance.
Even the soft music playing in the background seemed to fade beneath the growing whispers.
Vincent frowned slightly. Following everyone's line of sight, he casually turned toward the entrance.
The moment he saw who had just walked in, every trace of arrogance disappeared from his face.
Juliet had arrived.
And she wasn't alone.
She entered the auction hall on Cassian Han's arm.
No—not on his arm.
Cassian's arm was wrapped securely around her waist, holding her close against his side.
Vincent's face instantly fell.
Juliet looked breathtaking.
She wore a shimmering crimson gown that looked as though it had been spun from liquid rubies. The elegant off-the-shoulder design exposed her delicate collarbones and creamy shoulders, while the fitted bodice hugged her slender figure perfectly before flowing gracefully down her body. Thousands of tiny crystals had been embroidered into the fabric, causing the gown to sparkle beneath the chandelier lights every time she moved.
A daring slit ran up one side of the dress, occasionally revealing a glimpse of her long legs as she walked.
Her long blonde hair had been left loose, falling down her back in soft, voluminous waves that framed her delicate face beautifully. Under the golden lights of the ballroom, her hair almost seemed to glow.
She looked ethereal.
