Echoes of Vengeance: The Sweet Wife’s Perfect Revenge

Chapter 179: Faces in the Crowd


At Marston & Co.

Aveline arrived at the venue early in the morning. The event was from nine; she needed more than an hour for her installation.

Before she headed to security, a knitted scarf was placed on her shoulder. Alaric went around her and wrapped the scarf around her neck, tugging it close to her ear to cover it.

Aveline didn't resist as it was truly cold. Even their warm breath was visible in the air.

She had no idea Alaric was such a light sleeper. Though she turned off her alarm in three seconds, he woke up as if his body was on a clock. He insisted on accompanying her. He didn't voice his worries about the previous day's events.

Pulling two masks from her pocket, she stood on her toes and put one on his face and wore one. "Let's go." They walked in with her bag in his hand.

"Aveline Laurent, the floral artist," she told the security.

Once he finished writing her name, he turned to Alaric and said, "Her assistant."

"Damn, I didn't even know I had a hotshot assistant." Aveline mused as they walked in.

Alaric: "..."

"Need me full-time?" With an arm around her, he looked around and guided her inside while she followed him.

"Tempting…" Her voice trailed, "but I can't afford to be staring at you all day instead of working." She said with all seriousness.

Alaric laughed, glancing at her. Without her heels, she barely reached above his shoulder. He held back from teasing her about her short height when they reached the entrance of the hall.

There were quite a few men in the hall, turning to them like vultures. But the sight of Alaric dispersed their attention. Meanwhile, Aveline searched the space for her art.

The event manager rushed towards them. "Ms. Laurent!?"

"Yes!" Her response was curt.

"This way…" The manager pointed inside as they moved. He introduced himself and apologized, "I'm sorry, we weren't able to inform you beforehand. The space for your art has been shifted to that wall. Due to the event setup, there is a chance of it being knocked down. That's why we made the last-minute change. I hope it's not an issue."

Aveline looked at the wall and the wide space. With the seating arrangement in the whole hall, her floral art wouldn't even be visible from the side, not to mention against the wall color.

She didn't care about their money; if her work was being cornered and ignored, she would rather not do it.

The refusal to work with them was on the tip of her tongue when she paused. But she knew she couldn't be a prideful Laurent there, just Aveline, who does what she loves most.

She looked around, then began walking towards the hall entrance. Alaric quietly followed her, and the manager rushed behind them. "Ms. Laurent, if you don't like the…"

He paused when Aveline lifted her hand, studying the entrance of the hall. "Move the stand to the right. Move the table further left. I will do it against this wall."

The manager opened his mouth a few times, but he had no reason to refuse her. He awkwardly said, "Alright." He glanced at the security camera and went inside to call the men to move the table.

"Sunshine…" Alaric looked around. The hallway was huge and open. It was cold to work there for long hours. Before he got the chance to voice it, Aveline spoke.

"I need coffee…" To keep herself warm because she wouldn't be able to wear a scarf and an overcoat while working. "No… tea." She changed her mind to avoid coffee.

"I'll get one for you." And he walked away.

Aveline first tried to feel the wind so that her art could withstand it. Then she began measuring while the workers cleared space for her. She began working as soon as the flowers and her assistants came.

….

In the security room,

The man watching the screen snickered. He grabbed his phone and dialed a string of numbers. He spoke once the call was answered.

"She didn't kick up a fuss, Boss. She walked out, chose her ground at the entrance, and started working on it."

Theodore hadn't expected much, but at least a tantrum that would make her contact him. Instead, she gave him calmness, yet again.

[Ask those men not to overdo it.]

"Yes, Boss." And the call ended.

….

In the hallway,

Alaric left just long enough to order his men to bring elderberry tea. Then he stayed around Aveline, watching her give life to the dull wall, while scaring away men with just his gaze.

Simply complimenting her art became more difficult under his eyes. To make it harder, Alaric put his headphones over her ears, giving the men no chance to strike up a conversation.

After an hour and a half, Aveline stood up, resisting the urge to stretch her sore muscles in public. She stepped back, looking at the art to see if it needed any changes.

Alaric draped the overcoat on her shoulders as he watched the art with her.

The golden boat was suspended to hover in midair. It was overflowing with various blossoms like roses, chrysanthemums, orchids, and carnations in warm shades of orange, coral, peach, and cream that spilled downward like a living waterfall with long, trailing grasses and thin willow-like stems interlaced with smaller blossoms.

The waterfall was flowing into the bed of earthy moss, clusters of flowers, and rugged stones at the base, as though the entire piece was anchored.

Aveline removed the headphones when Tara ran inside, asking, "Am I late?"

Tara took many videos and photos before turning to the couple. She merely flashed a smile at Alaric and turned to Aveline and asked, "Ms. Laurent, what's your theme for this art?" As she put her camera back in the bag.

Aveline stated a metaphor: "A vessel adrift, carrying abundance, spilling its heart into the world." It was her take on the export-import business of Marston & Co.

"Cool," Tara responded and walked away. "I'll see you on Monday." Her voice drifted away, filling the hallway with silence once more.

After a few moments, "Marvelous," came the thrilled voice from behind, breaking the stillness in the air.

Aveline recognized the voice. She turned around to see Theodore Marston next to an elegant, middle-aged lady.

"Oh my…" The soft voice of the lady spilled out as she admired the floral art. "This is beyond my imagination."

Theodore had a satisfied smile looking at the lady. It looked as though he was happy to fulfill his wife's dream.

"Ms. Laurent…" He stood before her and said, "I rushed here as soon as I heard about the blunder the event manager made. I'm so sorry about it."

Aveline merely nodded, whereas Alaric turned, his brows furrowed. If the man knew of the blunder, why didn't he address it over the phone and relocate her back to the hall?

But he liked the current location of her artwork more than it being in the center of the hall, so he chose to remain quiet.

Theodore almost… almost gasped when he met Alaric's eyes. Those green eyes were his identity. How could he not recognize him?

Aveline didn't offer any words. She grabbed her bag and pulled out a folder. Flipping it open, she filled in some details and signed it. Then she extended the file to Theodore. "The last-minute change in location and the extended décor space will cost extra."

Alaric: "..."

He wasn't aware there were such things in floral artistry. And not to mention, she wasn't just any other artist. She was expensive. With one look at the number of zeroes, he knew she was making them regret treating her, her art, and her time lightly.

Theodore was aware of the remuneration. But he struggled to breathe at the sight of the extra payment. But, he didn't want to mess with her. "That's a huge number." He awkwardly laughed, looking at the list of reasons for charging extra. "I understand, it's our fault."

After a quick read, he signed the paper and passed it to her, saying, "I will have my accountant wire the amount by the end of the day."

"Thank you." She simply said, nodding at one of the helpers who cleaned the scene so well that there was no trace of Aveline there, except for her art.

"You were supposed to follow the script," Theodore said through his teeth to his fake wife.

"What!? She was so cold. And she charges millions for this!?" she exclaimed, pointing at the art. That was the main reason she wasn't able to follow the script to introduce herself to Aveline.

However, when Alaric and Aveline reached the entrance, there was a swarm of reporters shoving their microphones in their faces. "Ms. Laurent, why did Oscar Astor damage your company?"

"Were you the reason Lucien Astor resigned from the presidency?"

"Did you ask your lover to pressure Lucien Astor through his father?"

"Will Chairman Lancaster stand by your lover or his brother?"

"How did you manage to dethrone Mr. Astor from the presidency?"

The questions were innumerable.

Aveline looked calm on the surface, suppressing her gasp. How did the media learn about their presence there?

No, the reporters were throwing questions at her, failing to identify Alaric.

Alaric was quick to shield Aveline. He pushed the blocking reporters aside and got her in the car. He got in and drove away.

When he noticed Aveline beside him, her gaze was on the window, looking behind. "Sunshine…"

Aveline looked at him, her face flushed with shock and confusion as she said, "I saw Damien."

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