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Chapter_83
Zachary turned toward the voice, his expression shifting slightly. Standing a few steps away was Yvette, her presence calm yet striking. She was dressed casually, but her poise was undeniable, a stark contrast to the more formal attire of those around her. Her eyes briefly flickered over to Rebecca, who had stiffened in response to Yvette’s sudden appearance.
Rebecca, ever the diplomat, quickly plastered a smile on her face, but there was an underlying tension that couldn’t be hidden. “Yvette,” she greeted with a thin smile, her voice sugary but laced with subtle disdain. “It’s… nice to see you here.”
Yvette, unbothered by Rebecca’s tone, returned the smile but kept her response measured. “It’s good to see you too, Rebecca. I hope the event goes well for you.”
Zachary, noticing the undercurrent between the two women, felt a pang of curiosity. Yvette’s composure was admirable, but there was something else behind her calm demeanor. He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of tension himself, even though he had no reason to be upset. After all, he hadn’t seen Yvette since that incident at the police station, and his mind had been preoccupied with questions that now felt too urgent to ignore.
“Yvette,” he began, his voice steady, but with an edge of something unspoken. “It’s been a while.”
Yvette turned her gaze to Zachary, her expression as composed as ever. “Yes, it has,” she replied, her tone almost too casual, as if she were acknowledging an acquaintance she had not seen for a short while, rather than someone who had been a part of her past. “I’ve been keeping busy, as I’m sure you have.”
Zachary nodded, though his eyes lingered on her, trying to read her more than her words allowed. There was something different about her. Despite the calm exterior, she seemed to be hiding something—something he couldn’t quite grasp. But he was determined to find out.
Meanwhile, Nellie, who had been silently observing the exchange, couldn’t help but feel a mix of unease and curiosity. She had heard a lot about Yvette, particularly from Winona, and while she hadn’t thought much of her until now, there was something in the way Zachary looked at Yvette that made her uncomfortable.
Rebecca, sensing the tension, quickly seized the opportunity to shift the focus. “Mr. Chambers,” she began, her voice smooth, “You’re going to be supporting Winona, I presume? She’s been so excited about this competition.”
Nellie smiled, pleased by the attention on her daughter. “Yes, of course,” she responded, her tone proud but slightly stiff. “Winona has been working hard. She’s definitely going to make us proud.”
Zachary, still distracted by Yvette, merely nodded in agreement, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. The tension between the three women was palpable, but Zachary was too absorbed in the need to speak with Yvette to care about the subtle battle of wills taking place before him.
As the conversation shifted and others joined the scene, Zachary’s thoughts lingered on the one person who had crossed his mind every night since their last encounter—Yvette. There were too many unanswered questions, too many things left unsaid, and now, he had the chance to finally confront her.
But as the Art Festival progressed and everyone settled into their respective roles, it became clear that the event would be more than just a competition for the Chambers family. It was a stage where secrets would be revealed, alliances tested, and the intricate dance of ambition and rivalry would play out before their very eyes.
For Zachary, this was just the beginning. His past with Yvette was far from over.
