She thanked them and turned around to leave.
Amelia Gordon came down half an hour later. By then, the hall was empty, and she looked around before approaching the front desk. "Where is everyone?"
"They've already left."
Upon hearing this, a look of impatience flashed across Amelia's eyes. "Who left? Didn't I say to wait?"
The receptionist, knowing Amelia was not someone to be trifled with, replied, "We're not sure who it was. She wore sunglasses, had long curly hair, and looked quite young. I told her she needed to wait a moment, but she just turned around and left after hearing that."
Amelia rolled her eyes, turned on her heel, and grumbled to herself, "Wasting my time."
She thought that after the news was over, she'd have to ask Eleanor Sussex who exactly it was.
SJ International Airport.
Florence Fuller arrived at the boarding gate just in time. She was the last first-class passenger to board. A young steward helped her store her belongings, then crouched down to warmly introduce the menu for the long flight.
She glanced at the menu, and a shadow fell over her. She looked up to meet a pair of charming eyes. The man raised his brows, "What a coincidence, Mrs. Gardiner."
Florence retracted her gaze and continued to look at the menu. She had just mentioned a dish when the menu was taken from her hand. Luke Gardiner held it and looked at the crouching steward, "I know what my wife likes to eat. I'll order for her."
The steward stiffened, a trace of embarrassment on his face.
Florence didn't want to bother with him. She looked at the steward, "You go ahead. If I need anything, I'll call you."
The steward hurriedly left.
"You're going to France too." Luke Gardiner leaned back on her seat, "What a coincidence, isn't it?"
"Hmph," Florence looked at him. "It's indeed quite a coincidence, catching your husband taking another woman abroad on the same flight no less."
A flicker of unease crossed Luke Gardiner's face, while Florence's gaze fixed with the woman opposite, who had been watching her diagonally.
Upon hearing this, the woman's face froze, quick to look at Luke Gardiner.
"I'm here for... work." Luke Gardiner seemed a bit uneasy. "The Gardiner Clan is recently expanding into fashion brands, so I'm going to check out a fashion show."
"Then you better watch well. Do me a favor and sit back; don't bother me."
Luke Gardiner lowered his gaze, watching Florence as she opened her bag, taking out makeup remover and assorted items, ignoring him completely.
A sense of inexplicable guilt and embarrassment began to sweep over Luke Gardiner.
Because he recalled a report from back then.
On the day he and Florence Fuller had their wedding, he left the reception after exchanging rings. Soon after, the media caught him at the airport taking another woman abroad, still dressed in his wedding suit.
"Mr. Gardiner, our plane is about to taxi. Please return to your seat," the stewardess said.
Luke Gardiner saw the empty seat beside her, "Is this seat taken?"
"Currently, there are only three of you in first class."
"Then I'll sit here."
After sitting down, Luke Gardiner's glance wandered slightly toward Florence, "What are you going to France for?"
Florence focused on removing her makeup and said nothing.
"How long are you staying?"
"..."
"Where are you staying?"
"..."
"Are you also going to the fashion show?"
"..."
After asking these questions and still receiving no response, Luke Gardiner sensed something was amiss. He didn't even know what he was saying, "Since we're both going to Paris, let's go together. I'll accompany you."
Florence glared at him lightly, "What? A threesome?"
Luke Gardiner's expression turned black as ink.
Was it because he had never faced Florence Fuller head-on before that he felt somewhat guilty this time?
He did not feel guilty.
Glancing at Florence Fuller, he sneered, stood up, and sat back on the seat diagonally in front of her.
The plane began to fly smoothly. Florence Fuller went to the bathroom to freshen up. When she returned, her seat had already been converted into a bed. She put on her sleep mask, ready to get some sleep, as intermittent sounds came through.
Luke Gardiner's voice seemed deliberately loud, "How's the steak, is it good?"
The woman's voice was not clear.
Then Luke Gardiner's voice again, "Feed me."
In his peripheral vision, he noticed movement from Florence's direction, thinking she was going to get up and tell him to quiet down. Instead, she just pulled out some earphones, put them on, and lay back down.
Luke Gardiner chuckled coldly to himself.
Florence Fuller was woken by the stewardess. After getting up, she quickly went to freshen up and put on her makeup. When she returned, Luke Gardiner noticed she had changed clothes.
Without an overcoat, her black fitted turtleneck highlighted her slim and delicate upper body curve. Straight-legged jeans with flared hems were paired with white high heels adorned with rhinestones. Her long curly hair was draped behind her as she tidied up her belongings, exuding an intellectual elegance.
Quite different from her usual aggressive demeanor.
She put on a white blazer and had just affixed a brooch when the airplane suddenly jolted. Florence Fuller staggered, quickly steadying herself by grabbing the seat back, but a sharp pain shot through her foot.
It seemed she twisted her ankle.
Before Luke Gardiner could help, he saw her steady herself. But after seeing her sit down with a pained expression and silently remove her high heels.
"Twisted it?"
Florence Fuller moved her ankle slightly, a piercing pain coursing through, making her wince audibly.
The stewardess quickly approached, "I apologize for the sudden turbulence earlier." Spotting Florence Fuller's discomforted expression, she felt like disaster had struck.
"Miss Fuller, are you alright?"
"Do you have a first-aid kit?" Luke Gardiner asked.
"We do, I'll fetch it right away."
"Wait a minute." Florence Fuller stopped her, "We're about to land. I'll go directly to the hospital later. But I'll need one of you to help me off the plane; someone is picking me up outside the airport."
"I…" Luke Gardiner began to say something, but Florence Fuller had already pointed to the standing steward, "Him."
The stewardess considered, "We'll need to discuss this first, please wait a moment."
After the stewardess left, Luke Gardiner's face was cold, "You think I'm dead or something?"
Florence Fuller looked at her foot, "Go with your lady friend to the show. I don't need you here."
She never needed him.
Luke Gardiner stared at her intently, "You're quite generous, letting your husband accompany another woman."
"Of course!" she replied without hesitation, her beautiful face showing complete indifference.
The stewardess returned after organizing the arrangements, "Miss Fuller, we have arranged for staff outside to bring a wheelchair to escort you out of the airport. After landing, the steward will carry you to the wheelchair."
"I don't agree!" Luke Gardiner said coldly. "Mrs. Gardiner, you're married. Is it appropriate for another man to carry you in front of your husband?"
"Then is it appropriate for you to travel abroad with another woman, ending up on the same flight as your wife?"
The stewardess maintained her composed expression, though internally she was shocked by this unfolding drama.
Luke Gardiner knew this woman's words were sharp like knives, and yet what she said hit the mark. He opened his mouth to retort but couldn't find the words.
"Mrs. Gardiner, you've misunderstood. Mr. Gardiner and I really are here to watch the fashion show." The woman stood up, her graceful face showing a hint of grievance.