Abigail and Lynette sat across from each other in her bedroom, a table between them.
Abigail reached into her large bag, pulling out a stack of documents before laying them out in front of Lynette.
Identification records, profiles—many belonging to people Lynette had already come across online.
One by one, Abigail began explaining them.
Then, she brought up Kevin Gael.
She told Lynette that Kevin Gael was the older brother of her former fiancé.
Their families had arranged a marriage, hoping to unite them, but Lynette had rejected it, choosing Arian instead.
Despite the initial resistance, her parents had accepted her decision.
She and Kevin Gael hadn't known each other for long, but his younger brother, Lucas Gael, had been in love with her for years before they even met.
And when Lynette broke the engagement, Lucas had taken his own life.
Since then, Kevin Gael had never forgiven her.
It wasn't just him—the entire Gael family had resented her.
They had become, perhaps, her greatest enemies.
After Lynette's disappearance, suspicion had fallen on Kevin Gael, especially after he had accidentally scratched her arm during a recent elite party.
The moment speculation began, Lynette's fans ruthlessly attacked him online, refusing to let him live in peace.
Abigail explained that inviting Kevin Gael to the party would be a way to prove his innocence—to show he had no involvement in Lynette's disappearance.
Kevin Gael was the first son of his family.
He kept his hair buzzed short, dyed silver, and never fully adhered to the typical corporate world's rules.
But that didn't mean he wasn't serious about business.
After hearing everything Abigail said, Lynette was surprised to learn that Lucas Gael had committed suicide.
But how was she supposed to invite her enemy?
She was starting to feel uneasy. All she wanted was to enjoy the wealth, yet here she was—pretending to be someone's wife and now forced to face an old rivalry. And she wasn't Lynette. She had no idea if Kevin Gael had anything to do with her disappearance.
Abigail's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Do you suspect he had something to do with your disappearance?" she asked with a smile, leaning closer.
"Huh?" Lynette blinked, snapping out of her daze. "I don't think so," she muttered.
"Then let's invite him," Abigail said matter-of-factly.
"After the party, you still need to speak in public tomorrow."
Lynette frowned. "Wait, when is this party? Isn't it supposed to be tomorrow or something? I just got back."
Abigail's smile didn't falter. "Young miss... the party is tonight."
Lynette froze.
Arrangements had already been made. Their mansion would be packed with guests tonight.
Her pulse quickened. So little time. Her heart pounded with nervous anticipation.
"Well, since Kevin is invited, we're done with this. Someone will send out the invitations," Abigail said as she neatly packed away the documents.
Then, she stood and clapped her hands as she made her way to Lynette's closet.
"It's time to get dressed. Time doesn't wait for Abigail," she quipped before glancing back at Lynette with a playful glint in her eye.
"I wish I could stop time for you, but well... it waits for no one," she added with a smile before stepping inside the closet.
Lynette hurried after Abigail, struggling to keep up with her brisk pace. The woman didn't just talk fast—she moved fast.
The moment Lynette stepped inside, Abigail thrust a black dress in front of her, nearly hitting her in the face.
"Wear this," Abigail ordered.
Lynette blinked, startled, but took the dress without question.
"And these heels too—they're perfect," Abigail added, handing her a pair without hesitation.
"No time! We still have to do your hair," she said, her voice full of energy as she breezed out of the closet, humming to herself.
Moments later, Lynette emerged— in a sleek black bodycon dress from a well-known designer.
Back in her room, Abigail wasted no time styling her hair—keeping it effortlessly casual, yet polished.
When she suggested makeup, Lynette refused.
Soon, without further delay, they were seated in a car, heading toward one of the most renowned designer boutiques in the city.
*******************
As they entered the shop through its glass spinning doors, Lynette glanced around, momentarily stunned by the sheer elegance of the place.
She could never have imagined herself buying a dress from a boutique like this. Yet here she was.
"Oh my gosh, Lynette Daelan!" the receptionist gasped, her mouth slightly open in shock.
Lynette hesitated, unsure how to respond. Instead, she simply smiled and waved.
Abigail, however, was unfazed. "Oh, hello, everyone. Where is he?" she asked, referring to the designer.
"This way," one of the shopkeepers said, gesturing for Abigail to follow.
Lynette turned to them. "Do you mind if I look around?"
"Sure, why not? You can browse all you want. If you find something that interests you, even if it belongs to someone else, we can arrange for you to have it," the receptionist replied with a polite smile.
Lynette blinked. That… didn't feel right.
"Oh... that's not... alright, thanks," she said, offering a quick nod before turning in the opposite direction of Abigail.
As she moved past rows of clothing displays, she took in the boutique's offerings.
It wasn't just dresses and suits—there were jewels, shoes, and accessories, each more exquisite than the last.
As she glanced sideways, lost in thought, she suddenly collided with someone's back.
The impact sent her off balance, her heel wobbling beneath her.
Before she could fall, the person turned swiftly, catching her with firm hands.
Her eyes widened.
A towering figure stood before her—a six-foot-three man with broad shoulders, lean muscle, and a sharp presence that demanded attention. His hair, cropped low, was dyed blond.
His grip on her hands was strong, steady.
His eyes—cold, unreadable—locked onto hers as she hovered just above the floor, her heel barely supporting her weight.
Her pulse quickened.
"It isn't time to meet", she thought, swallowing hard.
Yet here he was.
Standing in front of her.
Kevin Gael.