The next morning, a custom-tailored apricot gown was draped over the headboard. Frederick had stayed up all night teaching himself a fashionable updo. He did my hair and makeup himself, then drove me to the winery.
It was a private estate, but the wine collection was staggering. Frederick knew I loved a good vintage, and every bottle my gaze lingered on for even a second, he bought on the spot.
Spending a fortune just to make me smile. The extravagance turned heads all around us.
My injured leg slowed me down, and I gradually fell behind him.
Most of the guests were Simmons Group business partners. They crowded around him, ribbing him good-naturedly.
"Mr. Simmons, spending a fortune to win a beauty's smile! There were a few rare bottles I had my eye on, and you snatched them right out from under me!"
"Frederick, that most prized vintage of yours, any chance you'd let me have it? Ten times the price, name it."
I listened to all of it and felt nothing.
Frederick waved them off without a glance. "Nothing matters more than Agatha. I only listen to her."
The corner of my mouth twitched. I pretended I hadn't heard that name. My expression didn't change.