Empire 40

Chapter 40 

The Fashion Week runway show was about to start, and the crowd began to thin out. 

Jacklyn followed Abel’s gaze, and her eyes landed on Liam, who was holding a champagne flute. He raised it high in their direction as a greeting. 

So, it was him. 

A faint brightness flickered in Jacklyn’s eyes as she smiled Back. 

“Ms. Stinson, a talent like yours is wasted playing full–time housewife for the Lloyds,” Abel said, arching an eyebrow. “When will you finally accept my invitation to join my second studio?” 

Jacklyn’s gaze dropped. Working at Abel’s studio was every designer’s dream. But she’d walked away from it when she married Eugene, all because she loved him. 

But now… 

She looked up. “I’ll consider it.” 

Abel’s expression brightened. “I can’t wait to have you on board.” 

Liam walked out with Jacklyn as the event was winding down. 

“Eugene didn’t show up?” he asked. 

Jacklyn almost scoffed–no way would he ever dare. Penelope had worn a fake necklace. If Eugene had bothered to show up, she would’ve started something with him. 

When Jacklyn didn’t respond, Liam said, “I’ll drive you back.” 

She refused, meeting his gaze. “I’d rather not give him any reason to doubt me.” 

Jacklyn was walking by the master bedroom when she got home and heard Eugene’s voice. He sounded furious, way angrier than she’d ever seen him. 

“Who told you to act this stupid?” he snapped. “I warned you to keep a low profile, but you didn’t listen! You embarrassed Jackie in public, and I still haven’t even asked you what the hell that was about!” 

It had to be Penelope on the other end of the line, calling to confront him. 

Jacklyn lingered, mildly amused, though she couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation. 

Whatever Penelope said only made Eugene raise his voice even more. “Are you out of your mind, Penelope? There’s no way I’d let Jackie wear a fake necklace at such an important event!” 

He ended the call and flung his phone onto the bed. 

Then, he turned and noticed Jacklyn standing in the doorway. “Jackie, when did you get back?” 

His expression flickered with guilt before he quickly moved to help her inside. 

“Just now. You sounded really mad. What was that about?” Jacklyn asked. 

When Eugene realized Jacklyn hadn’t heard anything, he finally relaxed and shook his head. ‘It’s nothing 

 

important, definitely not worth bothering you with. 

He dropped to one knee as he spoke, slipped off her high heels, and massaged her feet. 

“Actually, I have something interesting to tell you,” Jackly said. 

Hearing the lightness in her voice, Eugene asked, “What is it?” 

“I saw Penelope at today’s Fashion Week.” Jacklyn kept her eyes on his face. “She was wearing a necklace just like mine.” 

Eugene’s face stayed blank. “She probably saw yours at your birthday party and liked it enough to get a knockoff. That’s pretty shameless of her to flaunt it in public. She’s still so immature. But I bet it looks cheap on her compared to how it shines on you, honey.” 

Jacklyn didn’t react to his flattery. “She sounded so sure of herself when she said it. I might’ve believed her if I didn’t know mine was real.” 

The second the words left her mouth, Eugene pressed a little harder with his massage. 

He looked up, startled, then quickly smoothed over his reaction. Guilt crept into his voice as he said, “I’m sorry, honey. I wish I could’ve been with you at today’s Fashion Week.” 

His performance was flawless. Aside from that split–second flicker of panic when he lifted his head, Jacklyn didn’t detect anything strange. 

“It’s fine. I know you’re busy,” Jackly said. 

A deep weariness settled over her, draining any urge to argue. Soon enough, she’d be gone and take exactly what she was owed with her. 

Eugene told Jacklyn he wanted her to taste something he’d just learned to make, then vanished into the kitchen. 

Jacklyn turned to head to the guest room when she spotted a file lying on the dresser. 

Eugene hardly ever brought work home because he wanted to keep their time together uninterrupted. The fact that he took this back meant it was important. 

After opening it and skimming the pages, Jacklyn sneered before silently slipping into her room. 

Eugene arrived early at the bid award meeting the next morning and greeted everyone confidently. After all, Lloyd Group had spent six months on this project, and today was just a formality. 

“Congratulations, Mr. Lloyd! The resort development project is as good as yours.” 

“Mr. Lloyd, if you need materials or anything else, just let me know!” 

Eugene couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. 

Once the meeting began, the host prepared to announce the winning bidder for that year’s tourism development project. Teasing the audience a little, he finally said, “Let’s give a round of applause to Llo-” 

Eugene was already halfway out of his seat, and his smile was just starting to form when a wornan rushed up to the host on stage and whispered in the host’s ear. 

The host went white. He quickly corrected himself, “Let’s congratulate Robertson Group on winning the resort development project!” 

 

“What?” 

Eugene’s body locked up in disbelief.