Mr. CEO's Ex-Wife: A Cunning Comeback-Chapter 25 - : You’d Better Watch Out

Chantelle narrowed her eyes. "I'll decide if I'm impressed after you tell me where the money came from."

"Oh, it was a gift from my dear Auntie Kate," Kane chuckled.

Chantelle rubbed her temple. How has my son become a genius con man at his age?

"Well, your dear Auntie Kate is about to realize she's been fooled very soon," she warned him. "You'd better watch out."

Kane laughed. "So, Mommy, are you impressed now?"

Chantelle sighed. "Yes, yes. Very impressed..."

Before she could finish, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Calvin.

She quickly said goodbye to Kane and picked up.

"Ms. Bently, it's almost time to leave for the charity dinner," Calvin informed her in his usual professional tone. "Your gown is ready and placed just outside your room."

"Thanks," Chantelle replied.

****

Kate Bently arrived at the VIP lounge of Easthan Hotel with her mother, Ruby.

She was early, brimming with excitement for the night ahead.

As Easthan's beloved philanthropic figure, she knew the public expected her presence. She wouldn't disappoint them.

Tonight, she would receive the Global Ambassador of Philanthropy award.

And after that, she would make an even bigger announcement. Her engagement to Daniel Wilson.

The thought alone sent a thrill through her.

"Mother, what do you think of my dress? Is it too plain?" Kate asked, twirling in front of Ruby.

She wore a pearl white ball gown decorated with delicate pink pearls. It was elegant yet had just the right touch of allure.

Ruby sat on the sofa, sipping her tea, lost in thought. She snapped out of it as Kate moved closer.

"Darling, you'd look beautiful even in rags," she said with a reassuring smile.

Kate sighed. "Oh, Mother, stop with the empty flattery! There's only half an hour left until dinner. I must be ready!"

Ruby set down her cup. "You look perfect just the way you are. Come sit with me for a moment," she said gently.

"No, I can't sit down! The dress will get crumpled!" Kate protested.

"Okay then, stay standing," Ruby said. "But I need to ask you something."

She discreetly signaled the assistants and makeup artists to leave.

They quickly packed up and exited, leaving only Ruby and Kate in the room.

"But Mom, my hair isn't done yet!" Kate huffed. "Why did you send them away?"

She turned to call the hairstylist back in, but before she could move, Ruby grabbed her arm.

"Kate," Ruby's voice was firm. "Didn't we agree to use only 400 million dollars? James told me yesterday that you took 600 million."

Her expression was filled with worry.

"What are you doing with all that money? That was supposed to be the startup capital for Shallow Bay!"

She gripped Kate's arm tighter. "You must return it before your father finds out!"

James was the Chief Financial Officer of Bently Corporation. If he was asking questions, it likely meant there was a cash flow problem.

The company had invested too much into Shallow Bay for it to fail now. A financial crisis of this scale would shake Bently Corporation to its core.

Ruby couldn't let that happen.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Mother," Kate said dismissively. "I took the money for the wedding! I'll be Mrs. Wilson soon, and what's a mere 600 million to the Wilsons?"

She wasn't concerned at all.

By the end of the night, she would be an engaged woman.

Once the announcement spread, her marriage to Daniel Wilson would be inevitable.

Ruby sighed. "Fine. But you need to act fast. If your father finds out, we're both in trouble."

She gave Kate a worried look. "I'm counting on you."

If there was one thing Ruby believed in, it was her daughter's ability to charm a man. Once Kate becomes a Wilson, everything will fall into place.

****

The hotel ballroom began filling up as the charity event started.

Kate was still rattled by the social media scandal, but she reminded herself—she was an influential figure in Easthan's philanthropic circle.

As she walked into the ballroom, heads turned. People admired her.

She smiled.

It was like a dream come true.

Kate felt a surge of self-importance as she signed the event registry with a sleek black fountain pen.

Her signature alone screams admiration and respect.

As she walked onto the red carpet, the ushers guided her to the front row—the VIP section.

She found her seat and was especially delighted to see Daniel's nameplate right next to hers.

Perfect.

Everyone in Easthan would see them together. Everyone would know he belonged to her.

Gracefully, she took her seat.

She had practiced her soft smile and perfect angles, and it paid off. The cameras couldn't get enough of her.

Yet, something nagged at her. The dinner was about to start, but Daniel was nowhere to be seen.

She should be used to this by now. But every time he kept her waiting, the disappointment still stung.

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Then, a murmur spread through the crowd.

"Mr. Wilson!"

"Mr. Wilson is here!"

"Oh, look! It's Mr. Wilson! Still as handsome as ever!"

Excitement buzzed through the ballroom.

Kate didn't need to turn around to know what was happening. The whispers, the sudden rush of movement—Daniel Wilson had arrived.

Her heart raced as she stood up. This was her moment. She needed to be by his side so everyone could see what a stunning couple they made.

She turned around, excited to greet him.

Then, her eyes stared at the man who commanded all the attention in the room.

Daniel stood tall and extremely handsome in his perfectly tailored tuxedo. He looked effortlessly regal like he belonged at the very top.

Kate hurried toward Daniel, making sure to showcase her most charming smile.

She straightened her posture, letting her gown flow elegantly as she moved.

She had to remind everyone that Daniel belonged to her.

But then, she noticed a woman standing beside him.

It's her!

The mysterious woman!

Kate's stomach twisted.

Daniel had refused to walk the red carpet with her even though she begged him countless times.

Yet now, that woman was by his side?

Her hands clenched at her sides.