A Glamorous Return

Miriam guided the cheerful twins away toward their colorful classroom, her sensible heels clicking against the polished floor.

Valerie dropped to one knee on the pavement. She leaned in close to her son and kept her voice hushed. "Listen to me, Nolan. Dexter will pick you up directly after school today. He is Uncle Kendrick's trusted driver, and he will take you straight to Grandma's house. I have a lot going on tonight, but I will come get you from there the second I am done."

"Got it!" Nolan and Maia chimed in perfect unison, waving as they disappeared down the bright hallway.

Valerie stood up and brushed the dust from her knees. Before she could even take a breath to appreciate the peaceful morning, fingers clamped down on her arm like a steel vice. Octavia yanked her sideways toward the parked car.

"Why are we in such a rush?" Valerie asked. She stumbled slightly, struggling to keep her balance in her designer heels as she was practically dragged across the concrete.

Octavia did not loosen her grip. "Of course we have to hurry! We are heading straight to the beauty salon for an intensive facial care session. Get in!"

Octavia shoved Valerie into the passenger seat and slammed the heavy door shut.

Valerie pulled out her phone and checked the bright screen. "It is only nine in the morning. The charity gala does not start until eight tonight. Do we really need to start getting ready this early?"

Octavia slid into the driver's seat and started the engine with a loud roar. She turned to glare at her best friend, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination. "Yes, we need to be urgent! We have a grueling schedule ahead of us. We need deep tissue facials, professional hair styling, makeup application, and gown fitting. My personal makeup artist is meeting us there. It takes hours to achieve perfection, Val. I am honestly worried we do not have enough time as it is!"

Valerie massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Do you really need to take a charity party this seriously?"

Octavia reached over and poked Valerie hard in the shoulder. "Val, this is your very first time appearing in upper-class society after hiding away for so many years. You are attending on behalf of the massive NEX Group. Even if you want to fly under the radar, you have to think about your company's image. You are a celebrated costume designer now! You cannot show up looking casual. Plus, there might be an eligible, handsome bachelor lurking around. We have to get you fully prepared just in case!"

Valerie shook her head and let out a soft laugh. She knew Octavia meant well. The infectious excitement radiating from her friend was impossible to ignore.

Valerie held up her hands in defeat. "Fine. I will listen to you today. You can dress me up like a giant panda for all I care, and I will not complain."

Octavia beamed, hitting the gas pedal and speeding off toward the salon. The next several hours blurred into an endless marathon of pampering. Valerie surrendered herself to the bustling team of stylists. She endured the steaming hot towels, the sharp tugs of curling irons, and the meticulous layering of expensive cosmetics. By the time they slipped into their custom gowns, the sun had already set over the city skyline.

That evening, a biting night breeze swept across the sprawling grounds of the Kensington residence. Camilla stood alone by the towering iron gates. She wore a revealing black designer dress that clung tightly to her curvy figure, her matching limited-edition handbag clutched tight against her stomach. The sheer fabric offered zero protection against the brutal chill. She shivered uncontrollably as the wind cut right through her.

She glared down at the glowing screen of her phone, her teeth chattering loudly. It was already seven o'clock. The gala started in exactly one hour.

Dominic is inexcusably late. If he does not show up soon, we are going to make a fool of ourselves walking in after the host, Camilla thought, her chest tight with rising fury. She hated feeling ignored. It highlighted her actual low status in his eyes, a bitter truth she desperately tried to suppress.

A pair of blinding headlights finally pierced the dark driveway. The sleek vehicle glided toward the gates and slowed to a halt. Camilla felt a rush of sheer ecstasy warm her frozen face. She rushed forward before the engine even cut off.

"Dominic, you are finally back!" Camilla shouted, a brilliant smile stretching across her face.

The driver's side door clicked open. A man stepped out into the dim streetlight, but it was not Dominic.

Camilla stopped dead in her tracks. Her bright smile collapsed into twisted anger. She stared at the assistant standing before her.

"Why are you here? Where is Dominic?" she snapped, her voice shrill with indignation.

Arthur adjusted his glasses. He looked at her and spoke in a crisp, impersonal business tone. "Mr. Kensington is already on his way to the party venue. He explicitly asked me to pick you up, and he will meet you at the Lancaster residence's gate."

Camilla felt a deep humiliation burn in her throat. Dominic maintained a clear emotional distance from her. He had chosen to send a lowly assistant rather than endure a short car ride with her. With no place to safely vent her anger, she focused her cold glare on the man standing by the open door.

"Then let us leave now! What are you waiting for?" Camilla screamed.

She stormed past him, stomping her high heels against the pavement. She threw herself into the back seat of the car and grabbed the heavy door. She slammed it shut with a massive, echoing crack.

Arthur stood frozen on the driveway. He trembled from the sudden noise. He had no idea what he had done to offend her. He was only following his boss's strict instructions. Swallowing his dread, Arthur hurried into the driver's seat and steered the car toward the gala.

Meanwhile, inside the comfortable warmth of a black Passat, Octavia and Valerie sat in the spacious back seat. Octavia admired her flawless makeup in a compact mirror while Valerie carefully smoothed the rich fabric of her elegant gown.

Octavia suddenly gasped and slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. A look of utter horror crossed her pristine face.

"What is wrong with you?" Kendrick asked from the driver's seat. He glanced at the rearview mirror, his eyes crinkling with a slight, amused smile as he took in her panicked expression.

Octavia dropped the mirror onto her lap. "We focused so much on our dresses and makeup that we forgot a crucial detail. We did not secure any male companions for tonight! It is a widely publicized event. We are going to look ridiculous walking in there by ourselves!"

Kendrick kept his eyes on the road, though his smile deepened. "Am I not a man in your eyes?"

Octavia frowned and waved a dismissive hand toward the front seat. "You are just one person, and there are two of us! How is that supposed to work? Besides, who wants you to be a male companion anyway? You look so cold and boring!"

Kendrick sighed in genuine frustration. He gripped the leather steering wheel a little tighter. He was the eldest son of the Vance family and the unapproachable president of the Vance Group. Women constantly threw themselves at him, begging to be his date to high-society events. Yet, in front of Octavia, his popularity was practically zero.

"Plenty of women would kill to go with me. Why do you always have to make me sound like a terrible choice?" Kendrick muttered, his tone laced with heavy annoyance.

Valerie covered her mouth, smiling warmly at their familiar bickering. She cherished their lifelong, sibling-like dynamic. Kendrick usually carried a calm, indifferent aura around everyone else. But the second he was in the same room as Octavia, his cool exterior vanished. They picked on each other relentlessly, never missing an opportunity to argue.

Valerie leaned forward and rested her hand on the back of the passenger seat. "Kendrick is a great catch, but I really do not need a date tonight. I am just going to network and join in the fun. Octavia, you are a famous star now. It would not look good for you to walk the red carpet alone. Kendrick should just accompany you instead."

Octavia and Kendrick whipped their heads around at the exact same time.

"Who wants him to accompany?" Octavia shouted.

"Who wants to accompany her?" Kendrick shouted.

Their voices rang out in perfect, embarrassed unison.

A tense, awkward silence filled the car. Octavia crossed her arms and stared out the passenger window, a light flush creeping up her neck. Kendrick focused intensely on the traffic ahead, his ears turning a distinct shade of red.

After a long beat of quiet tension, Kendrick cleared his throat loudly. He broke the silence, his voice returning to its usual steady rhythm. "Do not worry about it. Companions are not strictly necessary for this particular event. Lots of people will be flying solo. It really does not matter."

A collective, massive sigh of relief washed over the back seat. Valerie and Octavia exchanged a quick, knowing look, both glad the uncomfortable topic had been dropped.

Half an hour later, the Passat glided smoothly down an exclusive private road. The vehicle approached the towering wrought-iron gates of a sprawling, magnificent manor. Thousands of twinkling fairy lights were strung through the massive oak trees lining the path, illuminating the night sky with a magical glow.

The heavy gates swung open from the inside. A uniform-clad valet stepped forward, bowing respectfully as he guided Kendrick's vehicle onto the meticulously paved driveway. Luxury cars were already lined up, dropping off glamorous guests in front of the grand entrance.

Valerie pressed her hands into her lap and stared out the window. She was shocked by the sheer, breathtaking scale of the Lancaster estate. Lush, manicured gardens stretched out as far as the eye could see, framing a breathtaking stone mansion that looked like a modern-day palace. The opulence was staggering, setting a grand stage for the night's upcoming drama.

Kendrick steered the Passat into a designated parking spot near the grand entrance and cut the engine. He turned around in his seat, noticing Valerie's awe-struck expression.

A slight smile touched Kendrick's lips. "The charity party tonight is held by the Lancaster family. How is it? It looks good, right?"