CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: GODDESS DESCENDS, FACE-TO-FACE SHOWDOWN!

From the day Julian Fordham met Victoria Monroe, he knew how stunning she was. This was proven when Victoria was just eight years old, wearing a floral blouse altered from adult clothes. Her fair little face was as pretty as an angel.

Julian Fordham, like a collector, meticulously cared for that rare gem, not allowing anyone to glimpse even a fraction of it.

But today, Victoria Monroe made a high-profile appearance, wearing a silver gown.

Delicate tassels hung on the dress, each adorned with tiny diamonds.

The designer’s skill was simply extraordinary!

Not only retaining the tassels’ lightness and drape, but also maximizing the diamonds’ brilliance!

She seemed to have wrapped the entire galaxy around herself, dazzling from every angle.

The most exquisite part was the halter-neck design, where slender diamond chains wrapped across the chest, down from the neck.

Her skin was snow-white, clavicles elegant.

The back was the real highlight, showcasing her perfect back.

The two diamond chains hung down, beautifully blending purity and sanctity.

If anyone else wore this gown, it wouldn’t have the same effect as it did on her.

Majestic yet sensual, cold and noble.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a goddess’s descent.

After three years away from the spotlight, her last appearance was on the "marital change" trending topic, wearing sunglasses and a mask, which quickly faded.

This time, she made a direct appearance, stunningly dressed, and returned alongside Rhys Hawthorne.

The CP fans at the scene went wild!

Julian Fordham was also furious; he wasn’t blind, Rhys Hawthorne’s attire was deliberately coordinated with Victoria Monroe.

He swapped his usual understated luxury for a subtle silver pattern and a silver tie, all complementing Victoria Monroe’s gown.

Their arrival whipped up a storm wherever they went.

Don’t even mention the many high-profile guests today; compared to them, everyone was overshadowed.

Rachel Hayes thought she had taken Victoria Monroe’s dress, unaware it was just her gown prepared for the anniversary, focusing on comfort and formality.

Not extravagant nor eye-catching.

Rachel Hayes’s figure and height couldn’t match Victoria Monroe’s, making the elegant dress plain on her.

However, the dress Victoria Monroe wore had significant origins; it was prepared for a celebrity fashion week red carpet show, and even today’s top fashion and luxury resource holders failed to borrow it.

Today’s event was merely a high-end charity banquet, not overly exposed, yet Victoria Monroe appeared dressed like she’s going to war.

Rachel Hayes thought she had a connection with Julian Fordham, stepping on Victoria Monroe, while Victoria turned around, arm-in-arm with Rhys Hawthorne, becoming the center of attention.

Rachel Hayes was seething with anger.

She used a private entrance, not exposed to the media.

Thinking of Victoria Monroe’s potential comeback, with her recent press labeled "little movie queen," once the main star returns, what resources will she have?

Rachel Hayes instinctively grabbed Julian Fordham’s clothes. He snapped back to reality, his gaze frosty on her face, making Rachel Hayes sweat coldly.

She thought if not for the child she’s pregnant with, Julian Fordham would have killed her!

Inside, security kept the media outside.

No photography was allowed at the scene; the clamor dispersed, restoring calm.

Victoria Monroe met the gazes from many inside, some familiar faces, some unfamiliar.

Undoubtedly, ninety percent of the people recognized her.

When she was active in the entertainment industry, a beauty like her naturally drew others to offer olive branches.

The majority of female celebrities in the industry were playthings of capital, but she was the exception.

Retired, got married, had children.

As she appeared with this status, those who didn’t know she was Mrs. Fordham started scheming.

What movie queen?

In such occasions, female celebrities were merely decorative vases, mascots.

Fragrant clothes, music, wine, even the air waved with faint floral scent.

Men were in suits, displaying expensive watches with every gesture.

Their female companions were either noble, or stunning.

It was like a world above the clouds, sharply contrasting the outside noise.

This was the domain of capital, like the way they looked at her, so frivolous, straightforward.

As if weighing pros and cons, how much was a night with her worth?

The honor she worked hard for was merely a gilded chip in front of these magnates, insignificant.

This feeling made her uncomfortable.

Because now, her husband belonged to those people too.

Beside him stood a female celebrity.

Perhaps countless times in past occasions, other women stood by his side too.

She wandered in the net he wove, every foolish woman believing her husband was the exception.

Standing at the peak of power, who would stick to just her?

It was she who was too naive, only seeing the distance between her and Julian Fordham today.

From start to finish, only they had their impoverished days, holding each other warm equally.

At this moment, he blended with those magnates, creating an insurmountable gap with her.

Victoria Monroe was like a sheep lost in this unmatched venue, uncomfortable with the gazes scrutinizing her.

Julian Fordham also noticed her unease, actually, he just needed to reach out, introduce her as his wife to everyone.

Under Mrs. Fordham’s name, it could easily dissolve the current awkwardness.

But signing with Willis was imminent, and his affair with Rachel Hayes was such a big mess; appearing now would be him slapping his own face.

Julian Fordham was conflicted; this move would render all his efforts in vain.

Willis would label him a hypocrite.

Scorned by peers.

All the glory accumulated so far vanished at this moment.

But... Victoria Monroe needed him!

He was about to step forward when Rhys Hawthorne already extended his hand to Victoria Monroe.

"Let me introduce you to some friends."

Victoria Monroe looked at him, Rhys Hawthorne’s eyes gentle, Adam’s apple moving slightly: "Hold my arm."

He smoothly dissolved the awkwardness of Victoria Monroe not being on today’s invitation list.

Carter York was a well-known director in Portoros, but his temper was peculiar; some said his confidence stemmed from his wealthy family.

Making him the director of this script was the best choice; he wouldn’t favor Julian Fordham.

Yet those beside him were not people from the entertainment industry, but unfamiliar faces, their chatter mixed with authentic Cantonese.

It had been a long time since she attended such venues; before she was notorious in the circle for being stubborn.

Risking being put on ice, she refused to drink with others, even attending banquets, she’d just stand for a while and leave.

Unlike those women, she never climbed high seeking connections for her career.

Her fame was purely accidental.

Thus, such matters felt foreign, but she had no choice for her comeback.

Unlike her dilemma, she saw the man beside her handling it effortlessly, as if strolling through his backyard.

Countless magnates’ gazes assessed him, completely ignored.

He walked calmly, indifferent appearance, every move exuded nobility.

Such innate charisma wasn’t due to acting, as though he had lived in such surroundings since childhood.

Victoria Monroe even had an inexplicable feeling; the people here were undoubtedly wealthy, but many resembled Julian Fordham, either self-made, nouveau riche, or phoenix males.

Their ways of accumulating wealth mostly differed, though everyone was wrapped in luxury goods, the eyes couldn’t lie.

Rhys Hawthorne’s aura seemed like standing atop a mountain peak.

In his eyes, there was no one else.

Carter York’s peripheral glance caught Rhys Hawthorne, eyes with interest, looking at the small, fair hand holding onto him.

Tender, without manicure, clean.

As they approached, a third person appeared in front of them.

Victoria Monroe looked up at the newcomer.

It was Julian Fordham.

His eyes frozen with ice, coldly blocking their path, lowering his voice with a warning, calling her name: "Victoria."

This was a sign of his anger.

In their years together, he had lost his temper at her fewer than three times.

But every time he showed such an expression, it made Victoria Monroe instinctively tense.

Rhys Hawthorne casually spoke up: "Oh, you know Ms. Monroe?"

His eyes met Julian Fordham’s icy gaze, "I’m quite curious, you call her so affectionately, what is Ms. Monroe to President Fordham?"