Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 10

She gasped for air, but her chest felt completely hollowed out. There was nothing left.

No dress meant she couldn't go to the gala. How was she supposed to meet Marcus Thornton? How could she save the dying project?

Hazel let out a choked sob, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

Just then, her phone rang. She looked down to see Nellie calling. "Hazel, did you get the dress? What time does the gala start?"

Hazel's throat felt completely blocked. She couldn't force a single word out.

Nellie paused, instantly picking up on her emotional state. "What happened?"

Hazel tried her hardest to sound normal, but her voice still cracked. "There was a problem with the dress. I don't have anything to wear."

She quickly summarized what had just happened, and the phone practically exploded with Nellie's rage. "Julian is a shameless, absolute bastard! I told you he was bad news, but you wouldn't listen! Look at this mess! I can't believe he treated you like that!"

Hazel felt exhausted. "Nellie, I'm out of time. If I don't find a dress right now, I'm going to miss the gala."

Nellie went silent.

Hazel continued, "It starts at eight, and it's already seven. I have nothing to wear, and I don't know what to do."

The line was quiet for a few seconds before Nellie's voice came back, practically vibrating with determination. "I'm handling the dress. Just wait."

The call ended. Hazel stared at her screen, her eyes burning. Less than two minutes later, a bank notification popped up on her phone. A hundred thousand dollars had just been transferred to her account.

A second later, a text from Nellie came through. "I've already called a boutique. I'm sending you the address now. It's my go-to spot. Just drop my name at the door and pick whatever you want. Keep the extra cash just in case you need to grease some palms tonight."

Just as she was about to board, a polite security guard blocked her path. "Good evening, Miss. Please present your invitation."

Hazel's stomach dropped. She had completely forgotten she needed an invite to get in.

Standing there, watching the wealthy elite breeze past her, a crushing sense of powerlessness washed over her.

She had fought so hard and gone through so much just to get here. Was she really going to get turned away at the door?

Just then, a deep, magnetic voice sounded from behind her.

"Hazel, what are you doing here?"