The Ceo’s Contract Lover

Stunned by his words, Alyson’s mouth opened wide in shock, as she could not believe her ears.

What?

How could Nina be one of the chief designers at Elysium?

She looked at them in disbelief.

Due to Victor’s overpowering aura, she started to panic and murmured apologetically with her head lowered.

“Mr. Lavigne, I apologize if I have offended you. It’s just that Nina hasn’t been home for the past year, and there have been rumors circulating about her becoming someone’s kept woman. I thought those rumors were true when I saw her at this event. Considering her circumstances, it seemed impossible for her to be here otherwise.”

To salvage the situation, she looked at Mr. Johnson pleadingly.

Victor looked at her coldly. “You should be ashamed of yourself for spreading unfounded rumors about someone’s character. Nina’s talent and dedication have earned her a place on this stage. Since you don’t know anything, it’s better to keep your mouth shut.”

Mr. Johnson promptly approached Victor and Nina, attempting to mend the tense atmosphere. “Mr. Lavigne, Nina, please forgive Alyson for being young and ignorant. She meant no harm and was only watching over her sister.”

Hearing his words, Nina glanced at Mr. Johnson slightly.

At that moment, Mr. Johnson happened to look at her as well. Their eyes met and his heart palpitated.

Nina was dressed so enchanting tonight that it was enough to make people fantasize. And Mr. Johnson was no different.

Victor, too, regarded him with a discerning gaze. He took a deep breath and replied. “Mr. Johnson, she may be young, but she must know the consequences of her actions. I won’t tolerate anyone slandering me or any of my people. I hope there’s no more next time for what happened today.” He warned, the threat in his voice evident.

Mr. Johnson, seemingly relieved by their willingness to accept his apology, expressed his gratitude.

Before leaving, Nina’s voice rang out, cutting through the murmurs of the onlookers. “Alyson Santiago, let me make it clear to you. I severed all ties with your family because I didn’t want to be a puppet in your hand, someone you could manipulate and control for your selfish desires.”

“You and your family should be grateful to me for not calling the cops on you when you drugged me and sold me to a repugnant old man.”

She paused briefly, her gaze unwavering, as she locked eyes with Alyson. “Don’t think that everyone is desperate for fame and fortune like you. Today, as I stand tall, this is all due to my relentless hard work and refusal to succumb to shortcuts. Also, I don’t need a man to elevate my status.”

“I can do it myself.”

In just a few words, Nina shut down all the doubts and accusations Alyson threw at her, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Her clear and unwavering stance also put an end to any potential gossip that could have sprung from Alyson’s desperate attempts to ruin her reputation.

A smile tugged at the corner of Victor’s lips as he silently gave her a thumbs up.

“And next time, before you make a scene, look at what time and place it is.” She said cooly before leaving.

Alyson’s face flushed with shame and anger.

The awkwardness could not be concealed from her plastic face, especially when a few people shot her odd glances from the side.

Hatred burned in her eyes as she cast a venomous glare at Nina’s departing back.

The intensity of her loathing was so strong that she wished she could rush forward and tear Nina apart, piece by piece.

As she endured the humiliation, she vowed to get back at her!

“Are you all right?” Victor asked as they made their way through the crowd. He looked at Nina with concern.

Nina’s heart warmed at his concern and she returned him a faint smile. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the venue.

Victor’s handsome face immediately turned serious when his eyes landed at the entrance.

“Excuse me, Nina. I’ll have to receive the guest. I’ll get back to you later.” He apologized as he hurriedly made his way to the entrance.

Nina nodded her head understandingly.

Just as she was about to go back, her eyes fell upon the entrance.

Her heart skipped a beat as her gaze locked onto the familiar figure making his grand entrance.

Jayden Luxton, the enigmatic entrepreneur, had graced the after-party with his presence, causing a stir among the attendees. Dressed in a tailored suit that exuded power and confidence, he commanded attention with every step he took.

Cameras flashed incessantly, capturing every moment of his arrival.

Reporters hurriedly scrambled to get closer, shouting questions and jostling for the chance to capture his attention.

As Jayden moved through the crowd, his commanding presence drew people like magnets.

Jayden’s status as the youngest entrepreneur to top the Forbes list had elevated him to an unparalleled level of recognition.

Entrepreneurs and industry leaders navigated the crowd and exchanged pleasantries with him. They hoped to impress this powerful figure by showcasing their accomplishments.

At the same time, his charisma captivated the attention of the women present, vying for even the briefest interaction.

They positioned themselves in his proximity, hoping to catch his eye and yearning for a chance to establish a connection that could potentially transcend them to greater heights.

The buzz of excitement grew louder, and guests eagerly vied for his recognition.

However, what was more surprising was not his appearance at the after-party, but the person who accompanied him.

Standing beside him was a young woman who seemed to be around in her early twenties. With her striking mixed-race features, she exuded an aura of grace and confidence that turned heads wherever she went.

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd, centered on the enigmatic woman by Jayden’s side.

Some speculated that she was a rising star in the entertainment industry, while others wondered if she held a significant position in Jayden’s life.

Victor was taken aback by Jayden’s unexpected presence at the event. He knew all too well that Jayden rarely attended such gatherings. As a gesture of respect and recognition, he invited him, but what he never expected was that the man would actually attend the event.

He was truly flattered.

“Ceo Luxton, what a pleasant surprise to see you here tonight,” Victor greeted, his tone cordial. “It’s not every day that we get the honor of your presence at such events.”

Jayden shook his hand with a slight nod. “President Levigne.”

“I must say, your appearance has certainly created quite a buzz,” Victor remarked, still curious about Jayden’s sudden arrival. “Everyone seems intrigued by your presence.”

Although he was a few years older than him, they more or less shared the same social circle. Hence, this wasn’t the first time he was surprised by his charm.

“I’m used to turning heads, Victor,” Jayden chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.

Victor agreed. “That’s true. Well, if there’s anything I can do to assist you, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Jayden offered a curt nod.

Seeing that he had no plans to introduce the women beside him, Victor did not ask further.

Everyone who was acquainted with Jayden knew he hated when someone probed into his private matters.

After exchanging a few more words, he tactfully gave them space and excused himself to attend to the guests.

Just as Jayden was about to greet an investor, his gaze landed near the podium.

Startled, he saw Nina standing near the stage with her piercing eyes on him.

Nina felt her feet glued to the ground as she saw the man who was supposedly busy with important matters in front of her.

The shock of seeing him at the event, after his earlier dismissal, reverberated through her entire being.

She snickered to herself, yet her heart ached intensely.

Jayden’s heart sank as he locked eyes with Nina, his panic mirroring the turmoil within her.

He did not know how much she had seen; even more so, he was clueless about what thoughts were running through her head as she looked at him with those dead eyes.

The sight of her broken expression pierced through his defenses, reaching the depths of his soul.

It was as if a weight had settled on his chest, constricting his breath, and he felt the gravity of his actions in that very instant.

He knew she had misunderstood him.

If only he had known that the event Nina mentioned was this very runway, he would have gladly accompanied her.

But the miscommunication caused a painful misunderstanding, trapping him between the consequences of his actions.

His brows furrowed, lines etching themselves onto his forehead as a mix of regret, guilt, and desperation washed over him.

For the first time in his life, the cold mask he had worn so effortlessly shattered, revealing the vulnerability, which he quickly hid.

He was about to move in her direction when he saw her walking away.

Nina’s heart felt heavy as she struggled to breathe.

She had hoped for Jayden’s support and presence at the event, only to be met with disappointment. The rejection had wounded her deeply, and now, seeing him with another woman, it felt like a deep knife had twisted in her heart.

At that moment, she felt a sudden overwhelming sense of isolation. She was surrounded by people, yet a profound sense of loneliness settled over her.

She retreated to a quiet corner, seeking solace in the solitude.

She had built a wall around herself, determined to keep her emotions in check, but the weight of her disappointment and hurt became too much to bear.

It would be a lie if she said she wasn’t affected in the least.

She raised her head and looked at the ceiling in an attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

Yet, when she lowered her gaze, they continued to flow ceaselessly, tracing a path down her cheeks.

The pain of his lies and the sight of him with another woman cut deep, but she refused to let her emotions consume her.

Engulfed by the sudden rush of emotions, Nina felt the urgency to calm her down.

She excused herself from the crowded event, navigating through the maze of guests and cameras.

As she entered the washroom, the noise from the bustling event slowly faded away, replaced by hushed tranquility.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the counter, her hands gripping the edges for support.

She closed her eyes, allowing herself a few moments of respite from the overwhelming whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

Feeling a sense of calm washing over her, Nina straightened her posture and smoothed down her outfit. After a brief touch-up, she looked at herself in the mirror before leaving the washroom.

Just as she turned around the corner, someone tugged her hand and pulled her into a remote corner, pressing her against the wall.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“What are you doing here?”