Chapter 22 More Than A Million

Ignoring her question, Chaim walked off, not looking back.

Not knowing what to do, Alexia shrunk back as she followed him.

Seeing Chaim leading Alexia in, Nathaniel put down his phone and teased. “Oh, the hero comes back with his damsel in tow.”

Chaim didn’t even glance at him as he walked to the sofa.

Nathaniel didn’t care he was being ignored, instead smiling and waving at Alexia. “Sister, we meet again.”

Alexia nodded slightly, “Hello.”

“What’s wrong with you, sister?” Nathaniel asked knowingly as he discovered her mess.

“I…” Alexia hesitated with a little embarrassment.

It was too humiliating for her to tell Nathaniel what happened.

“Enough.” Chaim pointed at the door and turned to Nathaniel. “Leave us.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll leave. I won’t disturb the loving couple.” Nathaniel shrugged as he got up and stepped out of the lounge.

As he left, Nathaniel saw Assistant Chiao was guarding the door. He rolled his eyes and put an arm around Assistant Chiao’s shoulder. “Wood, if I remember correctly, people will be dancing later, right?”

“Yes. Why are you asking?” Assistant Chiao raised an eyebrow, foreboding inexplicably arising in his heart.

“Nothing, just a fun game I suddenly thought of.” Nathaniel looked at the door of the lounge and gave a calculated smile.

In the lounge, Chaim knocked on the coffee table, “Come here.”

“Me?” Alexia asked, pointing at herself.

“Is there anyone else here?”

“Uh…” Alexia smiled awkwardly and she walked over to him.

“Change into these.” Chaim nodded toward the large pile of gift boxes on the coffee table.

“What are these?” Alexia asked cocking her head curiously.

She noticed the boxes when she followed Chaim in, but hadn’t dared to ask.

Chaim rested his chin on his hand and responded in a lazy tone, “Just open it and see.”

Having his permission, Alexia picked up the biggest one and opened it, finding a gorgeous gown inside.

The dress was blue in color, a silver trim sewn around the hem and neck sparkling under the light in the lounge.

“It’s so beautiful!”

Holding the lid of gift box, Alexia covered her mouth with her other hand. Her eyes were full of awe, completely unable to move from the gown.

“Like it?” Chaim asked, looking at her.

Alexia nodded silently, “I love it!”

There were few women who didn’t like beautiful dresses and Alexia wasn’t one of them.

“Go ahead and change.” Chaim suggested.

“Can I?” Alexia’s eyes lit up but she pressed down her excitement, asking with some uncertainty.

“Do you think I’m lying to you?”

“No, no.” Alexia shook her head, “I just feel like I’m in a dream. Chaim, what prompted you to give me this?”

Chaim’s eyes flickered for a moment. With no other words except urging her to change into the dress, Chaim left Alexia alone in the lounge.

Watching him leave, Alexia was a little disappointed, but instantly brightened at the pile of gift boxes.

She carefully put the dress back and opened other boxes in anticipation, finding high heels and various bits of jewelry. She knew they must be very expensive by the way the light caught the stones. So expensive that she was almost reluctant to wear them.

After changing into the gown and coming out of the lounge, Alexia looked at her husband standing in the corridor as she wrung her hands nervously. “I’m ready.”

Chaim turned around, and his eyes widened in surprise as his breath caught in his throat.

As Chaim stared, Alexia became even more nervous. Her heart beat faster and heat rose to her cheeks. She didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.

“Does…” she asked expectantly as she gathered her courage to lift the skirt and spun, “Does it look good?”

Chaim regained his senses and his Adam’s apple moved as he shifted his gaze elsewhere stiffly, “It’s okay.”

How was it possible for Alexia to leave him spellbound? However, when Alexia dressed up, she was no longer the simple woman he thought of her as.

“If you don’t like it, I can change back,” Alexia muttered with dissatisfaction.

Chaim pretended not to hear her and looked at the wristwatch. “It’s time for the welcome speech. I’ll head back first. You can arrive later by yourself.”

With that, Chaim strode off without another word.

Watching him walk off, Alexia cupped her hands around her mouth. “Chaim, thank you!”

Chaim paused for a moment before resuming his previous pace.

Holding the swan pendant on her chest, Alexia smiled gently. Whatever his purpose was, at least for now, she was happy.

Buzz!

Alexia’s phone in her handbag suddenly vibrated.

Alexia took it out and answered, “Lynn.”

“Aily, where are you?” Lynn anxiously asked.

Alexia looked up at the number next to the lounge. “I’m in the lounge on the ninth floor.”

“Why did you go there? No wonder I haven’t been able to find you. I was so worried about you,” Lynn sighed in relief.

Alexia touched her nose awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

“Alright, I don’t mind. Just hurry back, Mr. Lancaster’s speech is about to start, don’t be late.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Hanging up the phone, Alexia ran down the hall in high heels.

Back in the banquet hall, Alexia’s new dress drew many, many stares.

The stares, either in awe or envy or jealousy, made Alexia uncomfortable, but she also swelled in pride.

After all, it came from her Mr. Right, her husband!

“Holy shit, what’s with this outfit?” Lynn asked, mouth agape, when she finally found Alexia.

Alexia lifted the skirt and spun in front of Lynn, asking her the same question she asked Chaim. “Does it look good?”

“Very good!” Lynn nodded repeatedly. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you look so pretty.”

Alexia was so delighted by the compliment that her entire face beamed.

Lynn grabbed her shoulders and shook hard. “Tell me, what’s going on? I hadn’t seen you for a while and now you’re wearing a new dress.”

“It’s from my husband.” Alexia was so dizzy from the shaking, her voice trembling as she spoke.

Finally, Lynn released Alexia. “Your husband is also here?”

“No, he had it sent to me.” Alexia said, glancing around nervously.

Not having any reason to mistrust Alexia, Lynn believed her, folding her arms around and asking, “Aily, I didn’t know your husband was so rich. That entire outfit must have cost more nearly two hundred thousand.”

“Two hundred thousand?” Alexia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“If I’m estimating correctly, the gown, shoes, and jewelry are the latest fashion, definitely worth a six-

digit price. As for the necklace, I can’t tell its brand, but it looks custom made, probably more expensive.”

After hearing all this, Alexia’s vision darkened and her throat became dry, her clothes suddenly feeling less like garments and more like money.

She guessed the clothes would be very expensive, but she hadn’t expected them to cost that much.

So, did she owe Chaim more money again?