The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 65: Avoiding Interaction with Him

Chapter 65: Avoiding Him

Seven o’clock in the evening.

The gala was about to begin.

Rachel Royce had changed into a purple ombré gown, her long hair swept into an elegant updo. Iris-shaped ornaments adorned both sides of her hair, complementing her exquisite, banquet-ready makeup. The whole look gave her an air of nobility and grace. As the lights shone upon her, she looked like a goddess who had descended to the mortal realm.

All eyes from the audience were fixed on her, and photographers’ cameras flashed endlessly in her direction.

After finishing her speech, she invited Howard Fowler to deliver the evening’s final closing remarks, for which she provided live, simultaneous English translation.

Twenty minutes later.

The speeches were over.

The venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Rachel Royce then invited Howard Fowler to descend from the stage with her.

Champagne and fine wine flowed under brilliant, sparkling lights.

The gala had officially begun.

Rachel Royce accompanied Howard Fowler, weaving through the crowd. Her grace, poise, and composed manner of speaking earned her constant praise from everyone.

"Miss Evelynn is truly a combination of beauty and talent!"

"..."

Compliments like these were endless.

Howard Fowler was extremely satisfied with Rachel Royce’s performance over the past few days. He made no secret of his intention to champion her in front of this crowd of industry titans.

This event was nothing short of a huge success for Rachel Royce. It earned her a name in the industry, which would be very beneficial for her future career development back home.

Noticing the ring on Rachel Royce’s finger, someone couldn’t help but ask about her personal life.

"I wonder which lucky man had the good fortune to marry a beauty like Miss Evelynn. What a blessing! Haha!"

Rachel Royce simply responded with a faint smile, saying nothing.

Inadvertently, her peripheral vision caught sight of a man sitting not far away. A pair of deep, dark eyes were fixed on her without blinking.

Rachel Royce’s heart inexplicably tightened. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

’What on earth does this man want?’

And next to Tristan Sterling, Simon Shaw was staring at her even more intently, the admiration in his eyes impossible to hide.

Just as he was getting up to walk toward Rachel Royce...

Just then.

Julian Jennings and Ian Quinn walked over, blocking Tristan Sterling’s sharp, scrutinizing gaze and Simon Shaw’s path.

Seeing the two of them, Rachel Royce’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Ian Quinn said with a smile, "Miss Evelynn, you are truly radiant today. I wonder if you would do me the honor of having a meal together?"

He deliberately raised his voice as he said this.

Hearing Ian Quinn’s words, Simon Shaw couldn’t help but tighten his grip on his wine glass.

Rachel Royce noticed the sly curl of his lips and said, "If President Quinn and President Jennings are treating, it would be rude to refuse."

Ian Quinn laughed. "It seems Miss Evelynn will only grace us with her presence if our dear President Jennings is the one treating. He’s clearly the one with the clout."

Julian Jennings said, "If you don’t have clout, you should look for the reasons within yourself."

Ian Quinn looked at him, slung an arm over Julian Jennings’s shoulder, and said with a teasing smile, "True. President Jennings is just a little more proper than me, and maybe a tiny bit more handsome."

"You’re quite self-aware."

"..."

Hearing the two banter, the crowd couldn’t help but laugh and chime in.

The gala ended at nine o’clock.

The three-day summit was officially closed.

Of course, after it was over,

Rachel Royce couldn’t rest. She still had to continue working on the related reports.

The guests left one after another.

Simon Shaw finally found a chance to approach Rachel Royce.

"Miss Evelynn."

Throughout the banquet, she had been aware of Simon Shaw’s intentions, so she had deliberately stayed away from him and Tristan Sterling. She had no desire to interact with Tristan, either.

Ian Quinn had also been intentionally helping her, keeping Simon Shaw from getting close.

At this moment,

Julian Jennings and Ian Quinn were at the entrance, saying goodbye to some acquaintances.

Rachel Royce had been on her feet in high heels all day. Her heels were chafed red, so she found a quiet, inconspicuous spot to sit and rest for a moment.

She watched Simon Shaw walk toward her.

’Simon Shaw really has been watching my every move.’

She composed herself and was about to stand up.

Simon Shaw quickly stepped forward to help her up.

The moment he was about to touch her, Rachel Royce raised her hand in a clear gesture of refusal.

Simon Shaw’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air. An embarrassed look crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself and said, "Miss Evelynn, you’ve hurt your foot. I’ll go find someone to get you a bandage."

Rachel Royce said, "There’s no need. Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Shaw, but I’ve already asked a staff member to get one for me."

"That’s good."

"By the way, I didn’t get a chance to add you last time. Is it convenient to get your contact information today, Miss Evelynn?" Simon Shaw’s tone was exceedingly polite.

Rachel Royce, who was holding her phone at that moment, refused, "I’m sorry, I don’t add personal contacts. If we have a professional reason to connect in the future, Mr. Shaw, it won’t be too late to add each other then."

How could Simon Shaw not sense her deliberate distance?

Yet she was so friendly toward Ian Quinn and the others.

This made him feel inexplicably annoyed.

He didn’t press the issue, just nodded and smiled. "Alright, then."

Then, as if making small talk, he added, "It seems you and President Jennings have a rather good relationship, Miss Evelynn."

Rachel Royce just gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

"What are we talking about here?"

Ian Quinn’s voice rang out.

Simon Shaw turned to see Ian Quinn and Julian Jennings walking toward them.

Ian Quinn looked at Simon Shaw. "The gala is over, and Master Shaw is still here chatting with Miss Evelynn. It seems Master Shaw is really eager to improve himself!"

The Shaw Family was a prestigious and influential family in Kingsland. Simon Shaw’s father had deep ties with Harrison Sterling, so Simon and Tristan Sterling had known each other since childhood. Mr. Shaw had told Simon to learn from Tristan. For all these years, by virtue of following Tristan, he had inherited a part of the family’s business, but his business skills were quite limited, and he had to rely on Tristan for everything.

So, to Simon Shaw, Tristan Sterling was closer than his own brother.

Ian Quinn’s words were a clear, veiled insult about his lack of ability.

Hearing Ian Quinn’s words, Simon Shaw’s face turned cold. He then sneered, "Of course I can’t compare to President Quinn, who only knows how to sweet-talk women."

Ian Quinn scoffed. "So Master Shaw does have some self-awareness after all. Since you know you can’t win a woman’s favor, why not focus more on actual business? Then you wouldn’t always need Tristan Sterling to clean up your messes, would you?"

"You..." Simon Shaw’s expression changed drastically. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into tight fists.

"Simon."

Simon Shaw looked toward the voice.

Tristan Sterling stood a short distance away. Dressed in a black business suit, he was tall and imposing, with a cold, powerful aura that was impossible to ignore.

Simon Shaw unclenched his fists, shot a cold glare at Ian Quinn, and turned to walk toward Tristan Sterling.

Ian Quinn called out, "President Sterling, you’d better keep your man in check. Don’t let him think a toad can feast on swan meat."

It was an incredibly arrogant provocation.

Simon Shaw had already suppressed his anger, but Ian Quinn’s remark was a blatant slap in the face.

"Ian Quinn!!"

Simon Shaw strode forward, grabbed Ian Quinn by the collar, and raised a fist to punch him.

"Simon Shaw!"

Tristan Sterling’s cold, deep voice rang out.

Simon Shaw’s clenched fist froze in mid-air. His face looked like it was about to explode with rage. He resentfully lowered his fist and let go of Ian Quinn.

Tristan Sterling took two steps forward, his eyes icy. He looked at Ian Quinn, then his gaze shifted to Rachel Royce, who was still sitting on the bench.

Sensing the man’s gaze, Rachel Royce’s heart couldn’t help but clench. But she didn’t look away; she met his stare directly.