Revenge Wears My Ring novel Chapter 54

Queenie bit her lip in frustration, but she didn’t dare say anything more. She could only gather her files and slip out of the room.

As she stepped into the hallway, she caught sight of Gwyneth and Lance being ushered into the lounge. Their eyes briefly met—Gwyneth offered a polite nod, while Queenie forced a stiff, awkward smile.

Why does that woman have to compete with me for everything? Queenie fumed inwardly. Unconsciously, her palm had gone white from how hard she was clenching her fist.

—

Yardley Studios, Reception Lounge.

Sunlight filtered through the frosted glass screen, casting dappled shadows across the coffee table. Yardley sat quietly, listening to Gwyneth’s presentation, his expression cool and distant at first, but gradually softening as she spoke.

Her proposal was genuinely different. Instead of a quick-fix way to cash in on his popularity, it focused on a long-term strategy tailored to his personal brand.

“So you’re saying this collaboration turns an investment product into a kind of ‘Ancient Manuscript Restoration Fund’?” Yardley ran his fingertips over the sample of silk, curiosity piqued. “And for every purchase, you’ll donate 10% to digitize historical texts?”

Gwyneth nodded, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

“It’s intriguing.” Yardley looked up at her. “What made you approach it from this angle?”

Gwyneth’s lips curved. “A bit of market instinct.”

She swiped through her tablet, bringing up the design mock-ups. “The certificate will feature your handwritten ‘fragmented scroll’ motif as a watermark, combined with AR technology—scan it, and you’ll see an animation of you performing ‘The Orchid Pavilion Preface.’”

Yardley chuckled, suddenly amused. “Definitely a step up from the last agency that wanted me to dress up as the god of wealth to sell mutual funds.”

Lance, sitting beside Gwyneth, ducked his head, looking vaguely embarrassed by the reminder.

Yardley traced the AR illustration with a finger, then asked, “How did you land on ‘The Orchid Pavilion’?”

“Because last year, during an interview—” Gwyneth pulled up a clip on her tablet. “‘You said, and I quote: “The writer’s drunken honesty in this piece is more authentic than ninety-nine percent of today’s livestreams.”’”

On screen, a slightly tipsy Yardley was grumbling, “All this corporate pseudo-traditional stuff is garbage!”

Suddenly, the room fell silent.

Gwyneth calmly closed the video. “We believe authenticity matters more than perfection.”

God, this woman’s amazing, Lance thought, half in awe.

At that moment, sunlight hit Gwyneth’s face, catching the bridge of her nose. As she lifted her chin, the light glinted along her lashes, pooling into a luminous spot at the tip of her nose. She looked positively radiant.

“Let’s do it, Ms. Fletcher. Looking forward to working together.” Yardley made the decision without hesitation.

Moments later, the legal team came in, and after a quick review, everyone signed the contract.

“Doesn’t matter,” Yardley replied coolly. “When I give my word, I don’t let anything get in the way.”

Lance muttered under his breath, “Guess this is what superstar privilege looks like…”

Gwyneth glanced at him, exasperated. Sometimes she really couldn’t figure out how he’d conned his way into the role of head of marketing. Maybe Ziggy had pulled some serious strings. No wonder the marketing department was such a mess.

“We’ll head out, then. The signing ceremony’s at nine tomorrow morning. Tonight, I’ll notify the press and announce the new spokesperson.” Gwyneth’s words were brisk and decisive.

Yardley watched her, curiosity and admiration in his eyes.

What kind of man could keep up with her? She really was dazzling.

“All right. See you tomorrow.” Yardley’s voice was low, his smile warm.

As they left, Lance stretched so extravagantly that his dress pants almost split at the seams. “God, that felt good!” he exclaimed, then spun around to grin at Gwyneth. “You’re the best, Gwyneth! From now on, I’m your number one fan!”

As the doors closed behind them, the perspective lingered in the lounge.

Yardley and his agent, Logan, watched them go. Logan leaned in and whispered, “You’re really going to turn down that top-tier TV show? The network’s banking its whole year on it.”

Still gazing after Gwyneth, Yardley answered quietly, “Some partnerships matter more than ratings.”