The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 1050

"Perfect timing. Alex and I just arrived and haven't been inside yet. Why don't you show us around and introduce us to the representatives from Cole?" Her tone was so entitled, as if Danielle were a concierge on call rather than the lead director of a company that had just signed a major deal.

Danielle's fingers tightened around her files. Her face remained a blank mask, but her voice was firm with an unmistakable refusal. "I'm afraid that's not possible. I have other matters to attend to. I'm sure one of the event staff can assist you." She turned to leave, wanting nothing more than to be done with the two of them.

"Wait," Lorie said, stepping in front of her. Her voice was thick with mockery. "Is this any way to treat your guests, Chief Engineer Crawford? We came all this way to attend your signing ceremony, and you can't even be bothered to show us around? Or maybe..." She paused, her eyes darting between Danielle and Alexander with pointed insinuation. "Maybe you're just upset to see me with Alex. Are you jealous?"

Her words caused a few nearby guests to slow down, their curious gazes turning toward the unfolding scene. Danielle could feel their eyes on her, sharp and probing. She took a deep breath to quell her rising anger and met Lorie's gaze, her own eyes as cold as ice. "Chief Engineer Crawford, I am not your tour guide. Alexander and I have nothing to do with each other anymore, so whether or not I'm jealous is none of your business. If you want to meet the people from Cole, I suggest you introduce yourself. Don't try to use me."

Lorie's face flushed red, then paled at the retort. She tightened her grip on Alexander's arm, looking up at him with a wounded expression. "Alex, did you hear the way she spoke to me...?" Alexander frowned, his expression complicated as he looked at Danielle. He then turned to Lorie and said, "That's enough. Stop making a scene. We can find a staff member ourselves." His defense of Lorie, though subtle, felt like a thorn twisting in Danielle's heart. She let out a cold laugh, said nothing more, and walked around them, heading straight for the parking garage.

As Danielle walked away, Lorie leaned in and whispered in Alexander's ear, a triumphant smile on her face. "See? She's totally jealous of me. Why else would she be so hostile?" Alexander didn't reply. His eyes followed Danielle's retreating figure until she disappeared, a wave of inexplicable frustration washing over him.

When Danielle walked back into the convention center, shaking off the encounter with Alexander and Lorie, the ballroom was even more lively than before. The moment she stepped inside, several familiar faces surrounded her. There were Ninesky's key engineers, suppliers they'd worked with for years, and several entrepreneurs from the same industry, all holding glasses and smiling warmly.

"Ms. Crawford, congratulations!" a businessman in a blue suit said, raising his glass to her. "With the Cole partnership finalized, Ninesky is poised to make a huge splash in the overseas market! I'd like to propose a toast. Here's to hoping we have a chance to collaborate in the future!" Danielle smiled and took a glass of wine from a passing waiter, clinking it against the man's. "Thank you, Mr. Bob. I'm sure we will." She took a small sip, the rich, slightly tart flavor of the red wine sliding down her throat.

As soon as she lowered her glass, another person approached. "Ms. Crawford, I've always heard about your technical expertise. Seeing you hold your own with Davies today was truly impressive! To you—I hope I can learn from you in the future!" "You're too kind," Danielle replied. "We can all learn from each other."