Submitting to My Ex-Wife novel (Pearl and Marc)

Chapter 35

A minor hiccup didn’t affect Pearl’s mood.

The fashion charity dinner hosted by Zero Hour took place at the Imperial Hotel. Zero Hour, a leading magazine in the domestic fashion industry, saw the event’s standards and prestige continually rising, making it challenging for even celebrities to secure an invitation.

Pearl had an invitation but had left it behind, so Hubert took her straight inside, which caused quite a stir upon their entrance.

The host interviewed celebrities on the red carpet while they posed for photos and graciously interacted with the media before they walked up to the panel to sign and pose for pictures. Pearl, on the other hand, bypassed the red carpet, waving away the offered

pen.

Reporters couldn’t help but notice Pearl’s extraordinary beauty and charisma, leading them to speculate about her celebrity background. Cameras were raised to capture her, but her bodyguards swiftly intervened to shield her.

Pearl turned her back to the cameras, waiting by the display board while Hubert finished his autographs. She couldn’t resist asking him, “You’re sure there are four ancient, enameled bowls, right? Don’t you dare deceive me.”

Hubert handed the pen to the receptionist and gently put his arm around Pearl’s shoulder to guide her inside, saying, “When have I ever lied to you? Let’s go. I’ll first take you backstage to see what treasures they have. I will get it for you if you find something you

like.”

Before they could reach the backstage area, they ran into the editor–in–chief of Zero Hour magazine. Hubert extended his arms in welcome, exclaiming, “Hi, Elaine!”

Elaine hugged him and playfully patted his back. “Don’t act like a child. You should call me

‘auntie‘!”

Hubert chuckled. “Come on, you look way too young to be called that.”

Elaine patted his shoulder again before embracing Pearl. “Pearl, it’s been so long! How

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have you been?”

“I’m doing well. Elaine, you look younger and prettier!”

Elaine pointed at the mischievous Pearl and Hubert. “You two, always making fun of me.”

Hubert and Pearl both showed childish grins.

The editor–in–chief of Zero Hour, Elaine Law, was Hubert’s aunt and someone who had witnessed Pearl’s growth. Their relationship was so close that Hubert didn’t call her “auntie” and always called her name closely within their circle.

Pearl rarely attended such public events, but this time, she had two reasons. First, it was because of the beautifully enameled bowls, and second, she came here for the sake of

Elaine.

Since Hubert had arrived, Elaine was determined not to let him go easily. She insisted on taking him to socialize, and Pearl couldn’t help but relish watching Hubert leave. She happily relaxed and walked backstage.

The venue was already crowded, with people forming small groups engaged in gossip. Pearl, like a lone ranger, walked through without glancing at anyone. However, as she walked, a commotion erupted behind her. She casually looked back and froze when her eyes landed on a familiar figure.

As if sensing her presence, that figure also turned to look at her. Their eyes met through the crowd and the noise.

Pearl paused at once when she met that person’s distant, cold gaze. Her heart missed a beat, and she furrowed her brow.

It was Marc. What was he doing here?

She cast another glance at the person next to him. The answer seemed clear when she looked at Lucas, who was flirting with a woman as they walked.

Accompanied by the melodious piano music, Marc confidently made his way through the dense crowd and approached Pearl. His handsome face, composed posture, and calm demeanor were all too familiar to Pearl.

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It was so familiar that the clod scent emanating from him momentarily transported Pearl into a trance as if they were still husband and wife and had never divorced.

If they weren’t in the hall at that moment, their usual conversation would start with Pearl cheerily greeting him as he entered the house. “You came back?”

His response would sometimes be silence and other times just a cold nod.

This time, Pearl didn’t initiate the conversation. Her demeanor was no longer warm and cheerful but somewhat cold, radiating an aura of keeping people away.

It was Marc who spoke first.

“I’m here.”

His voice was neither too high nor too low, neither too light nor too heavy. It even carried a hint of gentleness, akin to a husband searching for his wife who had stormed off to her parents‘ house.

Pearl raised an eyebrow, finding this opening statement rather peculiar.

“Weren’t we supposed to treat each other as strangers whenever we met again? Why did he act like someone close to me?” she thought.

“I don’t know you, sir.”

Pearl didn’t play along with his acting. Instead, she just gave him a fleeting, indifferent glance as if they were total strangers, then turned and walked away.

Marc remained where he was, watching Pearl’s retreating figure with pursed lips.

Lucas‘ hand landed on his shoulders, and Lucas chuckled softly in his ear. “It’s so embarrassing, right? Even I feel embarrassed for you.”

Lucas managed to hold back his laugh and shared his experience with his close friend, “This isn’t the right way to pursue a woman, let alone an ex–wife. You abandoned her before, and now you just said, ‘I’m here.‘ Come on, are you expecting her to throw herself at you just because of one sentence like that? Do you think that Pearl is still a naive young girl?”

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Marc wrinkled his brow, and he knew he didn’t have much experience pursuing women. He

couldn’t help but feel that Lucas had a point and asked without reservation, “Well, then, how should I go about it?”

Lucas was taken aback by Marc’s seriousness. “Are you serious?”

Lucas then checked Marc’s forehead, murmuring, “No fever either, so why all this nonsense?”

Marc’s expression darkened as he swatted Lucas’s hand away, snapping, “Get lost!”

Lucas looked at Marc, arm crossed, and slowly shook his head. “Dude, have you ever heard the saying that don’t try to mend what’s already broken? The most futile thing in the world is trying to rekindle a past love. Love, when it’s over, should stay over. Don’t attempt to piece together a shattered mirror. There will always be cracks, even if you somehow manage to do it. Besides, ask yourself. Do you genuinely love Pearl now that you’ve turned around to chase her, or are you not used to her being gone?”

Marc furrowed his brow slightly and admitted with uncertainty, “I just want an answer.”

“What answer?” Lucas inquired.

Marc didn’t respond but strode quickly in Pearl’s direction to catch up.

Lucas watched, unable to resist shaking his head, thinking that his best buddy really needed a tough lesson about love.

Pearl arrived backstage, her heart in turmoil.

She discreetly closed her eyes, despising her own lack of calmness after seeing Marc. She had clearly resolved to cut off all emotions towards him, so why was her heart still racing when he appeared?

“Calm down,” Pearl told herself.

She tried to stay calm while reflecting on all the tough days, tears, and bitterness she had suffered during the past three years in front of Marc. In the end, she showed a bitter smile, knowing that his arrival had nothing to do with his affection for her.

So, what did it matter whether he was here or not?

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