"Hahaha, Iris, you finally divorced that useless Colin! This is wonderful—what great news to come back to!"
A woman in professional attire and black stockings laughed with undisguised delight.
Her name was Queenie Bell, Iris's cousin and deputy manager at Snowfall Pharma. After Iris's rise to prominence, Aunt Kate had arranged for Queenie to join the company as Iris's assistant.
"Queenie, actually..." Iris wanted to confide in her cousin.
But she thought better of it. Anything she said would reach Aunt Kate's ears by tomorrow.
Queenie patted Iris's shoulder. "Listen to me, I'm telling you this for your own good. I've been urging you to divorce him for ages. That deadweight was only dragging you down. Without him holding you back, you'll soar even higher."
A smile finally spread across Iris's face. This was exactly what she wanted to hear.
All she wanted now was to prove to Colin that Iris Fox would only become more and more successful.
"By the way, Queenie, how did your trip to Lakeside City go?" Iris asked.
"Hah, couldn't have gone better."
Queenie's grin was smug. "The moment they heard Snowfall Pharma's name, those small pharmaceutical companies came swarming. Even Renchuan Pharma, who used to turn their noses up at us, completely changed their tune."
"What's that saying again? 'The me you once ignored is now the me you can't afford.' That's us, that's Snowfall Pharma. But the real prize is the partnership with the Floyd family. We've made their shortlist, and we should hear back tonight. If we could partner with a giant like Longtide Group..." She clicked her tongue. "All of Seacliff would be ours for the taking!"
"What are you two chatting about?"
Henry strolled over, producing three invitation cards with a smile. "I managed to get invitations to the Imperial Night Feast. One for each of us."
"The Imperial Night Feast?"
Queenie's jaw dropped. "I've heard about that—it's being hosted by the Floyd family's heiress herself. She's invited celebrities and elites from every sector. It's a massive event; even ordinary millionaires can't get in."
"Henry, you're incredible! You actually got three invitations!"
"Heh."
Henry smiled with casual ease. "Getting these was nothing. I mainly wanted to help Iris."
"I heard Snowfall Pharma made the Floyds' partnership shortlist. I'll find an opportunity to get Iris some face time with their executives. That should boost your chances of being selected."
"Listen to this man! I'm about to cry from how sweet that is."
Stars practically sparkled in Queenie's eyes.
"Iris, Henry's been so good to you—always thinking of your interests, and so capable too. Isn't he ten thousand times better than that worthless Colin? If it were me, I'd marry him without a second thought."
Warmth bloomed in Iris's chest. She smiled radiantly. "Henry, thank you."
That smile was breathtakingly beautiful. Henry's gaze fixed on her, unable to look away, barely restraining himself from pulling her into his arms right then and there.
"Iris, our company was already strong, but once we play our trump card—the Pediatric Lung-Clear Oral Solution—no one else will even come close. Add Henry's connections to that, and we're guaranteed to be chosen." Queenie was brimming with confidence.
"I'm confident too!"
Iris's smile grew brighter. Everything was moving in the right direction. All the bad things—and bad people—had to be left behind. People like Colin.
"I heard Miss Floyd herself will be attending tonight. Maybe we'll even get to meet her."
"I'd love to see Miss Floyd in person."
Iris was genuinely excited. Marjorie Floyd was a queen of commerce, a legend—and Iris's idol.
They drove to Tang Rhyme Pavilion, where the feast was being held.
Iris stepped out of the car in a flowing white gown, her tall, slender figure and graceful neck giving her the air of an elegant swan.
"Wow, what a beauty! Absolutely stunning!"
"That's Iris Fox, the one everyone's been talking about—CEO of Snowfall Pharma. Not only is she gorgeous, she's a rising star in the business world. Her net worth is already eight or nine hundred million!"
"Word is that Starlight Pharma, under Longtide Group, is looking to partner with Snowfall Pharma. A powerhouse alliance. Iris is on fire—she's been dominating the business magazines!"
The admiring gazes and whispers of praise made Queenie preen, lifting her chin proudly.
But Iris paid no attention to the flattery. Her eyes had caught a figure standing by the roadside.
It was Colin, standing beside a luxury car.
The sight unsettled her. After a moment's hesitation, she walked over.
His nose was straight and sharp as a blade, his profile seemingly carved by an axe—all hard, angular lines.
Iris felt a strange unfamiliarity. He used to be gentle, warm as jade. But now his face had grown cold and severe.
"Colin, what are you doing here?" she asked.
Colin turned. Seeing her, his expression remained utterly unmoved.
"Ah, President Fox. Why I'm here isn't really your concern."
Iris brushed off his attitude and gestured toward the grand building ahead. "I'm here for the Floyd family's Imperial Night Feast. Snowfall Pharma is doing better than ever. If all goes well, I'll secure a contract with the Floyds tonight."
"Congratulations." Colin smiled.
His response caught Iris off guard. She wanted to see bitterness, discomfort—maybe even him begging her to reconcile. That would have given her the satisfaction she craved. But Colin seemed entirely unbothered.
"Well, well, who do we have here? Iris's useless husband—oh wait, useless ex-husband."
Queenie's mocking voice cut in as she and Henry approached.
"I told you ages ago to divorce Iris, but you had no self-awareness. Now you've been tossed out like garbage, scurrying around like a stray dog. Bet you wish you'd listened sooner."
Colin laughed. "Which eye of yours sees me scurrying?"
"Hmph! Stubborn as a mule. As if a loser like you could ever set foot in a place as exclusive as Tang Rhyme Pavilion." Queenie sneered.
"And what brings you here?" Colin asked mildly.
"We're here for the Floyd family's Imperial Night Feast, obviously."
Queenie brandished the invitation in her hand. "Open those beady eyes and take a good look. This is a Floyd family invitation—only people with real status in Seacliff get these!"
"For trash like you, just seeing one should be an honor!"
"Iris, show him your invitation. Let this nobody see what real prestige looks like!"
Iris produced her invitation and waved it in front of Colin. "Colin, you can't get in without one of these. But if you want, I suppose I could bring you inside."
"That won't be necessary."
Just then, the luxury car's door opened, and Marjorie stepped out.
Her commanding presence—regal as a queen—and her breathtaking beauty made everyone present freeze.
Even Iris was stunned.
"Invitations?" Marjorie glanced at the others, then reached into the car. "We have some too."
She emerged with a thick stack of invitation cards—easily over a hundred—and deposited them in Colin's arms. "Here. They're all yours."
"One will do."
Colin pulled out a single invitation. The rest he tossed casually into a nearby trash bin.
