Chapter 132

Vanessa's bravado couldn't mask her growing panic. Meanwhile, Evelyn's reaction to Harrison's name was far more genuine—a fleeting moment of surprise before recognition dawned.

Beatrice's mysterious phone call suddenly made perfect sense.

Evelyn's lips curved knowingly as she drained her glass.

Every head turned as confident footsteps echoed through the silent ballroom. The mysterious figure remained shadowed until stage lights revealed him in breathtaking clarity.

His aubergine suit accentuated his towering frame. Chiseled features, piercing eyes, and an aura of absolute command left the crowd breathless.

"My God, he's magnificent!"

"Exactly my type!"

"Successful and gorgeous—is he single?"

Harrison ignored the adoration, his gaze sweeping the room until it locked onto Evelyn. Their silent acknowledgment passed between them like a private conversation.

"Vanessa! He's looking right at you!" a friend squealed.

Vanessa's head snapped up, but Harrison had already turned away. "Please, let's not make a scene," she muttered, desperate for an escape route.

On stage, Harrison's introduction was brief but electrifying. "Welcome to Horizon Technologies. I'm Harrison Whitmore."

The applause was thunderous. The mystery CEO's identity was finally revealed.

Dozens of executives swarmed him afterward, but Harrison politely dismissed them all. His path through the crowd was deliberate—straight toward where Evelyn stood.

"Vanessa, he's coming this way!" Her friends nearly vibrated with excitement.

Vanessa's panic spiked. What could she possibly say to him?

Then Harrison walked right past her.

"Hello, Evelyn," he said, his voice warm with familiarity. "Long time no see."

The crowd erupted in whispers.

"They know each other?"

"Look at their outfits—they're perfectly coordinated!"

Harrison chuckled at Evelyn's expression. "You didn't guess when Aunt Beatrice called?"

Evelyn smiled. "I had my suspicions. Though the reality is still... surprising."

"Pleasantly, I hope." His hand rose, gently tousling her hair in a gesture of obvious affection.

The intimate moment sent shockwaves through the ballroom. Every eye tracked them, every conversation centered on the implications of their connection. The social hierarchy had just been upended—and Vanessa's lies were crumbling before everyone's eyes.