Chapter Two: Champagne Intrigues

The next morning, when Layla was awakened by Bruno's call, she realized that the side of the bed where the man had been sleeping was now cold. She had slept so deeply that she hadn't noticed him leaving. "He was quite eager to leave," Layla muttered to herself. Bruno was efficient enough to deserve his position. Just after Layla finalized her divorce from Ashton, Bruno wasted no time in finding a potential new match for her - a man going by the alias Simon. Simon seemed to check all the boxes: tall, a graduate from a prestigious university, in great shape with an eight-pack and V-line. And most importantly, he was young, good-looking, and not clingy - a perfect fit for her. The only thing that gave Layla pause was Simon's odd request to keep the lights off during sex. Fortunately, in the dim moonlight last night, Layla confirmed that Simon was as handsome as described in his profile. He was a man who could provide quality sperm without getting too attached, and that was precisely what she was looking for. As Layla reminisced, Simon's voice triggered a faint sense of recognition, but she brushed it off as insignificant. Her focus was only on her desire to conceive a child. With their intentions clear – she wanted a child, he wanted her money – she saw no reason to dwell on it. With a chuckle, Layla glanced at the clock and realized it was already eleven in the morning. Hastily, she rose to change into her clothes. A charity gala was scheduled for tonight at a luxurious hotel downtown, and she needed time to get ready. Layla stood before the mirror, only to find crimson marks on her chest and lingering traces on her neck. The telltale signs were unmistakable. Even a fool could tell what had happened the night before. Contemplating the potential attendees at tonight's gala, Layla grabbed a suitable silk scarf from her wardrobe to conceal the evidence before freshening up. Upon returning to the living room, she noticed breakfast laid out on the table. She assumed the maid had arranged it before she was surprised to find a note. "Last night must have worn you out, so don't forget to have breakfast - Simon." Layla grinned and couldn't resist it. Meanwhile, over at the Hayes mansion... "Hey, Mr. Hayes, do you need a plus one for the charity gala tonight?" Poppy Brown, a budding actress, made her move on Ashton, attempting to gain his attention with a glint in her eye. He just shrugged her away. "You're just someone who works for me. I pay you to be in the spotlight, so know your role. You're not qualified to come with me to the gala." Unfazed, Poppy moved closer to Ashton and rested her chest against his arm as she commented, "I heard your ex-wife might show up tonight. If she sees us together, she might get jealous." Ashton paused for a moment, reminiscing about Layla's calm demeanor during their divorce proceedings. She appeared eager to move on and even seemed delighted to leave him. She had also asked to temporarily keep their separation a secret to prevent any unease among the shareholders. He let out a cynical chuckle. He believed that despite their divorce, Layla's heart still belonged to him and that her cold attitude was just a facade. With that thought in mind, a faint smirk tugged at his lips as he motioned towards Poppy and instructed his assistant, "Go pick her up later today." He was curious to see how Layla had fared since leaving him. The charity event took place in a luxurious banquet hall on the hotel's top floor, with a bustling crowd of high-end limos lining the entrance. A mix of celebrities and socialites, usually only seen on screens or in magazines, mingled in the area. Many media reporters were all waiting anxiously, pointing their cameras towards the entrance to capture the grand arrival. As everyone entered the venue, a massive cluster of fresh flowers greeted them, their petals still adorned with morning dew. Leading the way was the movie star, Molly, her hand clasped firmly in Ashton's. Yet, Ashton's gaze darted around as if searching for someone specific. Though he didn't spot the person he was looking for, Ashton unexpectedly saw someone else. Amidst the crowd stood Tristan Frucht, heir to the esteemed Frucht Group, donning the dual roles of chairman and CEO. Tristan happened to be Ashton's childhood friend. Ashton's surprise was evident at seeing Tristan, who seldom graced such occasions with his presence. Mustering his enthusiasm, Ashton strode over to his friend and delivered a hearty pat on the back. "Tristan? What brings you here? I thought you hated social gatherings the best." Since returning from his overseas studies, Tristan had assumed the reins of the Frucht Group. He was always immersed himself in its affairs day in and day out. With both of them being busy for some time, Ashton had been wanting to catch up with Tristan but hadn't found the opportunity. Tristan, known for his aversion to socializing, made an unlikely appearance. Impatiently brushing off Ashton's hand, Tristan shot a disdainful glance at Poppy, his tone cooling considerably. "I never thought you'd bring someone like her to an event like this." Unconcerned, Ashton casually poured himself a drink, casually responding, "I just brought her along to have some fun. Relax." With a slight pursing of his lips, Tristan advised, "Maybe dial it down a notch." Playfully nudging Tristan, Ashton chuckled, "You know me too well, don't you? But what about you? You took over your family business at just 20. Now, your businesses span globally, but why are you still flying solo? Could it be because the person you're fond of is me?" Tristan's expression remained neutral as he retorted, "In your dreams." Sensing the tension, Ashton teased, "With that attitude, I bet no woman would be interested in dating you." Tristan's calm gaze swept the room as if searching for someone amidst the gala's glittering entrance. Impatiently, Ashton turned to his assistant and asked, "Why hasn't she arrived yet?"