Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

Zara's expression instantly darkened the moment she spotted Riya. She turned, ready to walk away.

"Running off so soon?" Riya scoffed with sarcasm. "Aren't you going to check the collections?" She circled Zara deliberately, blocking her path. "For a small designer like you, this must feel like a golden opportunity. You should cling to Edith while you can. Maybe she'll be generous enough to squeeze you in for a meeting with Shay."

She folded her arms across her chest, her chin tilted in disdain. Despite having a year-long contract with his company, she herself hadn't managed to meet him yet. The idea that Zara might be laughable.

"You—" Bree snapped, stepping up with fire in her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. Shay has—"

"Bree." Zara caught her arm firmly, pulling her back before she could finish. "Calm down."

Bree's brows pinched together, clearly unhappy. "But look at her. She is the one—"

"Go outside and wait for me," Zara cut her off yet again, this time more firmly.

Bree's chest rose and fell in frustration as she shot Riya a fierce glare before storming off.

Riya gave a mocking laugh. "You and your friend both are of low standard."

Zara's gaze turned icy, a sharp edge in her silence.

Riya's tone turned sharper as she went on, "Your friend is no different from you—always mouthing off, picking fights. And you… Every chance you get, you lash out at me and even raise your hand. You are nothing but a wild cat, completely out of place at a sophisticated event like this. I honestly have no idea how you even managed to get invited."

Zara's fingers itched to slap her, but she restrained herself. "Tell me, who is really looking for trouble here—you or us?" She tilted her head slightly. "We didn't come after you. You are the one who came to pick a fight. I've kept quiet all along, yet it's you who has been yapping nonstop like a stray dog."

"You…" Riya jabbed a finger at her, her face twisting with fury.

"According to you, I'm not worthy of being here, right?" Zara cut in sharply. "Then let me enlighten you— Shay himself sent the invitation to me." She gave her a proud smile.

"Utter nonsense," Riya snapped. "Why would Shay invite you? Stop making up stories."

"Is that so?" Zara scoffed as she pulled the crimson invitation card from her bag. "If you are so doubtful, see it for yourself."

Riya snatched the card from her, her expression shifting as her eyes caught the handwritten note from Shay and his signature at the bottom. Her face stiffened with disbelief.

"This can't be true," she muttered, shaking her head. The next minute, her gaze hardened with accusation. "You forged this. You probably scribbled it yourself and dared to claim it was from Shay. How shameless can you be? You are already married to Nathaniel, yet you are out here trying to seduce another man."

Zara's patience finally snapped. Her hand twitched, ready to strike, but she curled her fingers into a tight fist. "You…" she hissed, struggling to contain her anger. "With your filthy mind, all you ever think about is filth. Don't project your rotten ideas onto me. Not everyone is like you, drooling over the man you call brother."

"Zara…" Riya tried to speak again.

But before she could go on, Zara snatched the card back. "I don't owe you a damn explanation. Just seeing your face makes me nauseous. Push me any further, and I might actually vomit right on you."

Stuffing the card back into her purse, Zara stormed out.

"You bitch," Riya hissed through clenched teeth, humiliation and jealousy swirling in her chest, fueling the fire of her rage. The fact that Shay, who never even spared her a chance to meet him, had personally invited Zara and even written her a note was unbearable.

It was too much for her pride to swallow.

"Why is every man smitten with her?" she seethed as indignation burned hotter. "Liam is already in love with her. Nathaniel… he despised her once, yet in the end, he fell for her and even refused to let her go. And now Shay. Why do they all want her?"

The thought tore at her insides. Why did Zara attract every man's attention while she, clearly the more beautiful, glamorous one, was overlooked?

She was the one destined for success. The ad agencies were after her. The jewelry houses and fashion brands lined up to sign her. She was the rising star everyone wanted.

And Zara? Zara was nothing but a loser. She had abandoned her career five years ago, living like a caged housewife, stripped of the spotlight. Only recently had she dared to step back into the industry. Yet somehow, impossibly, she was the one drawing every gaze, even Shay Walsh's.

Riya's fury threatened to spill over. This was intolerable.

"How dare you humiliate me?" she muttered, her eyes flashing with malice. "I'll ruin you in front of everyone tonight."

She slipped away, her mind already churning with schemes to see Zara disgraced at the very same party.

When Zara returned to the hall, Bree immediately approached her.

"Why did you stop me?" she demanded, still fuming. "That woman never misses a chance to provoke you. I wanted to put her in her place, but you cut me off. Why?"

"Because I don't want to cause a scene here," Zara replied calmly. "Don't let her spoil your mood. I've already said enough. Don't brood over it. Let's enjoy the party."

Bree exhaled sharply, holding back her irritation. She let a small smile tug at her lips. "Fine. You are right. She doesn't deserve our time anyway."

"Exactly," Zara smiled back at her. "We came here to build connections. Let's focus on that."

"Come on, I know some of the guests." Bree grabbed her hand and pulled her along, blending into the crowd.

Nathaniel was still searching for Zara, scanning the crowd. "Where is she?" he muttered to himself, dialing her number.

"Nathaniel."

A voice from behind drew his attention. He turned and found Liam standing tall before him. Nathaniel immediately lowered his phone, ending the call before it connected.

Liam smirked. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Why not?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "My sister is the showstopper tonight. I was invited. Is there a reason I shouldn't be here?"

Liam gave a small laugh. "The Nathaniel I knew was a workaholic, always prioritizing business and steering clear of events like this. Seeing you here is surprising."

"Things change," Nathaniel said icily. "I'm not the same man you used to know."

Liam tilted his head slightly, stepping closer. "Hopefully, that's a good change. By the way, why are you alone? Didn't bring your wife?"

He had just arrived and hadn't seen Zara yet, but he had assumed she would be by Nathaniel's side.

"She is here," Nathaniel replied curtly. "Catching up with her friend." He didn't mention that they hadn't come together or that he still hadn't found her.

The moment Liam realized Zara was present, his expression shifted, eyes brightening with eagerness. "Good. Then, enjoy the party."

He made to walk past, but Nathaniel's hand clamped firmly onto his shoulder, halting him.

"Our families are discussing your marriage with Riya." Nathaniel's voice dropped, cold as steel. "If you aren't serious about it, decline the proposal outright. I won't allow my sister to suffer because of you."