Chapter 5

Gary came back that night, and there was a charity gala in their social circle that required Quinley's attendance. That evening, before the Rolls-Royce headed to the venue, it first made a stop at a styling salon. Gary personally got out to escort her. Luna was dressed in a private couture dress worth millions, holding a rare diamond-studded exotic leather bag, but she just stood there motionless. The man awkwardly opened the backseat door. "Quinley, you—" Before he could finish, Quinley silently got out of the car and went straight to sit in the passenger seat next to the driver. The charity gala was held at a manor estate. In the banquet hall on the first floor, shadows and light danced under an enameled chandelier. The moment Luna appeared arm-in-arm with Gary, she became the center of attention. A group of socialites instinctively gathered around her. "Luna, Mr. White treats you so well! You're the first in the world to wear that dress!" "Right? I heard he was abroad recently, and to snatch this dress from a tycoon, Mr. White made a bet to race him. He even injured his arm." So, he got that injury from getting the couture dress for Luna. As the conversation went on, Luna's eyes grew red with emotion. "Don't bring it up. I felt so awful because he bled so much. I only mentioned once that I liked it, and he just…" "Haha, that's real love. He'd risk his life for you." The flattery flowed from all directions. Someone even sneered while glancing at Quinley. "Some people wear a pile of trash from five seasons ago and think they're at the top of the world when they're not even fit to lick the shoes of an heiress!" Quinley looked at the dress she was wearing—Gary had arranged for her to wear this. Trying her best to endure it, Quinley clenched her fists. Once the gala began, there was a charity auction in the middle of the evening. Though the items weren't to Luna's taste, Gary kept bidding generously to help maintain her reputation. Except for one emerald ring. He was a step too late, as it had already been snatched up by another bidder the moment it hit the stage. Of all the things, Luna just happened to like the ring. She tugged on Gary's sleeve, pouting. "Gary, I really like that ring. If I don't get it, I won't be able to eat tonight." With just that sentence from Luna, Gary personally approached the winning bidder after the auction. "Mr. Jackson, name your price. Whether it's ten or a hundred times more than the original price, I have no objection." Charles Jackson just chuckled. "Mr. White, you know how I do things. I don't care about money. It's just that I haven't had much inspiration lately, and I happen to need a model. How about this…" Quinley, on her way back from the restroom, accidentally overheard the conversation at a corner. "I find your wife quite pleasing to the eye. If she agrees to pose for me as a model just once, I'll let you have the ring at the original price." Gary's expression darkened. "I'll think about it." At that moment, Quinley felt as if she had fallen into an icy pit because what did he mean by that? Charles was infamous in their circle for being a playboy, with a known fetish—he loved photography but only a certain kind. Quinley's body trembled slightly as she turned and walked away quickly. But not long after, in a corner of the banquet hall, someone grabbed her. "Quinley, I need to talk to you about something." Gary paused, handing her a glass of fruit wine he had mixed himself. He was trying to please her. "You can see that Luna's doing much better lately. Once she recovers a bit more, she'll be able to move out. It's just… She really liked that ring. "The buyer said if you're willing to pose for him as a photography model just once, he'll let it go. So, I was wondering if—" "Absolutely not!" Quinley choked back her trembling voice and shoved him hard. "What do you take me for, Gary?" A wave of bitterness surged through her. Quinley tried to suppress the turbulent emotions and downed the glass of fruit wine as if she were trying to vent her feelings. But just as she stepped out of the banquet hall, her head suddenly spun, and she collapsed backward. There was something wrong with that drink. As her consciousness blurred, she vaguely felt Gary catch her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Quinley. This will be the last time," he whispered into her ear, his voice filled with pain.