A Vengeful Ex-Wife novel Chapter 232

Summer had arrived early in the evening, and she was talking with someone near the stage when a buzz went around the hall.

Maria's appearance caused an uproar at the entrance, and it carried over in waves until even Summer's attentions was caught.

She turned her head and could not help sighing at the sight of Maria. 'She is so beautiful! No wonder Mr. Xi could never seem to resist her.'

Her crimson dress wrapped tightly around her curves, and showcased her smooth, delicate shoulders. She had applied black eyeliner on her wide, piercing eyes, and a rusty red shade adorned her lips. Maria was the kind of beauty that was aggressive and unapologetic, the kind that was sure to take your breath away at first glance.

She now walked toward Summer with a smile, and the latter found her breaths running short. They were both girls, but Summer was still quite entranced by Maria.

"Good evening, Summer." The gentle voice finally shook Summer back to her senses, and she leaned close to Maria to whisper what was on her mind. "Good lord! You look absolutely gorgeous tonight. Everyone's eyes are on you."

Maria lifted her eyes surreptitiously and surveyed the hall in secret. Then she flashed a provocative smile. "Of course. If I don't dress up like this, how in the world would I be able to snag a rich husband?" "How dare you try to hook up with another man? Aren't you afraid that I will rat you out to Mr. Xi so he locks you at home every day?"

"Oh please, you won't do that," Maria replied jovially.

Summer had to shake her head. "You are right."

This was met with a carefree chuckle. "Have you eaten yet?"

"No, I don't have the time. I only came to sign in. I have another dinner party to go to in five minutes. Otherwise I won't get the time off to visit my relatives tomorrow."

"Oh my. Is this how James oppresses his employees? It's the Spring Festival, and here you are, attending dinner parties left and right." Maria inspected her nails and blew on an inexistent layer of dust.

"I could have taken a day off tomorrow, but Lorenzo has just been transferred elsewhere, remember? I can't just dump all the work to those junior assistants for the time being. I have no choice but to slave away on my own until things settle down." Of course Summer had become even busier after Lorenzo had left.

But she much preferred her current circumstances over having to see Lorenzo again.

"Remember to ask James to give you a pay rise."

"In that case, Ms. Song, please put on a good word for me when you get the chance."

The mirth never left Maria's eyes. "You're quite mistaken, Summer. I am not nearly as important to him as you are."

James always put work first. As far as he was concerned, an assistant would undoubtedly be more precious compared to a leech cadging off him.

The two women kept at their banter, until someone stepped up in front a few minutes later and informed the guests that they were to move to the thirteenth floor.

Everyone started for the elevators, but Maria stayed behind and continued to talk to her friend. She was in no hurry anyway.

But then a woman leaned over between them. "Good evening, Maria, Summer."

It was Sandra.

She was wearing a fluffy pink evening dress and sported a princess braid. She looked cute and rather endearing.

They exchanged pleasantries briefly before Summer glanced at her watch. Then she waved at them. "You two should go upstairs to have dinner. I'm leaving now."

When she was gone, Sandra took Maria's arm and they walked toward the elevators side by side.

There was nobody else in the elevator they had taken, and they chatted all the way to the thirteenth floor.

Maria had expected Western food to be served for dinner, but she was wrong. She saw a lot of Chinese dishes on the large, round table.

Name cards were assigned, and a server at the door assisted Maria to her place.

She was sitting separately from Sandra. Well, it was only a business matter, anyway, so it didn't really matter who she sat with. They would still be able to mingle downstairs after the meal.

Maria pushed through the door of her designated private room and found a round table decorated with pebbles and flowing water at the center. It looked to be able to accommodate more than thirty people.