Chapter 2: The Gala Glow-Up

After breaking up with Derek, I spent a few days lying around at home.

No more racing from event to event, no more begging investors for scraps.

After so long with a mooching boyfriend, I’d almost forgotten how nice it felt to just relax!

Honestly, what was I even thinking, dating Derek Ford? Being a pampered heiress is so much better!

“Seriously? You get dumped and now you won’t even step outside? Are you really that heartbroken?”

Only one person sounded that annoying—my brother. I chucked a pillow at him.

“Get lost, don’t interrupt my game.”

On my phone, my ranked match was heating up, my fingers flying. Heartbroken? Please—I was completely relaxed!

I added lazily, “You can lose at love, but you gotta win this match!”

“Oh? Judging by your attitude, I guess you haven’t heard yet.”

Carter shoved his phone in my face. “Your ex just made it official.”

Huh??? Official?

That was fast. Talk about a hit to my pride.

Now I was interested. I put down my phone.

Carter grinned, waving the news in my face. “Derek Ford’s new girlfriend is Savannah Pierce, a rich girl. There’s a gala tonight, and they’re invited. I was going to bring you along to cheer you up…”

Before he could finish, I was already at my closet, rifling through dresses.

“Which one do you think will make me outshine everyone?”

I held up gowns in front of the mirror. Of course I was going to fix my mood!

“Guess that League match wasn’t so important after all.”

Carter looked at my abandoned phone and chuckled. “Red. It’s bold and commanding.”

“Alright, this one it is.”

If Carter says red, I’m going with red.

“Winning the League match can wait—tonight, I’m here to make him eat his words!”

At the gala, everyone was all fake smiles and small talk, swirling their cocktails.

It was all business posturing.

In the crowd, I immediately spotted Derek.

Since getting with a rich girl, he dressed a lot flashier—head to toe in designer brands.

But watching him scurry around, bowing and scraping, he looked about as comfortable as a cat at a dog show.

“How did I ever like someone like that?”

Carter and I exchanged a look.

We really are siblings—totally in sync.

“Mr. Whitman, long time no see. And this is…?”

A sharp voice cut in. A striking, curvy woman walked over.

Carter was the new star in business circles. With those looks, women lined up for him.

But she looked oddly familiar…

“Miss Pierce, I saw you arrive with a date. How come you’re alone now?”

Male companion?

The moment Carter said that, I recognized her—wasn’t this Derek’s new girlfriend, Savannah Pierce?

“Oh, him?”

Savannah glanced at Derek, visibly annoyed.

She hurried to explain, “Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Whitman. He’s just a small-time influencer I brought for show. Who knew he’d be so petty?”

Hearing her diss Derek, I gave her a silent thumbs-up.

But Savannah still seemed interested in my brother. She added, “But I’m really surprised you’re here tonight, Mr. Whitman.”

She tried her best to show off her beauty and charm, but Carter didn’t even glance at her. I had to smirk—nice try, girl.

“She wanted to get out for a bit, so I brought her.”

Carter pulled me close, his arm around my waist.

Savannah’s face soured.

Right then, Derek rushed over and saw us, his face instantly darkening.

“Autumn, who is he?”

Derek looked Carter up and down, all possessive and accusatory.

Before either of us could answer, someone else jumped in.

“Mr. Whitman, I didn’t expect to see you at this gala.” A fifty-something CEO nodded politely to Carter.

Soon, a crowd of business leaders gathered around, all eager to meet him.