Page 61 of Bound By Her Shocking Secret

He kept looking for her over the heads of everyone else, but only caught glimpses here and there. This was a pinnacle moment for him and the business, and yet he couldn’t focus on it.

Someone touched his arm and he almost snarled at them to leave him alone. It was his chief assistant.

‘Okay, boss?’

Daniel forced himself to relax. ‘Fine.’

‘It’s time for your speech.’

His speech. Damn. It was the last thing he felt like doing now.

He said to Pascal, ‘Can you find Mia and stay with her? Make sure she’s okay?’

‘Of course.’

Daniel made his way to the dais and was introduced by one of France’s best-loved actresses, who had been a brand ambassador for Devilliers for a long time. She graciously mentioned that Mia was part of a new generation of ambassadors and wished her well.

Daniel still couldn’t see Mia in the crowd, but finally caught sight of her. She was standing with Pascal and Adele. Relief flooded his belly. He launched into his speech, not having to check his notes because he’d been preparing for this a long time.

He mentioned Mia too, and thanked her for elevating the campaign beyond the ordinary and into something extraordinary. He could see her blush from where he stood, as everyone clapped and congratulated her.

That ache resurfaced, and absently he put a hand to his chest as he made his closing remarks. When he looked to where Mia had been standing just moments ago, though, she was no longer there. He kept speaking on autopilot as he searched for her. And then he saw her, slipping out of an exit, shoulders bare.

He stumbled over his words. Had to stop, look at his notes.

Where was she going?

Eventually he finished his speech and there was deafening applause, but all Daniel cared about was finding Mia. He kept getting stopped by people. And she was nowhere to be seen. The pictures from the campaign were on the walls all around the room, like a gallery exhibit, and everywhere he looked, Mia’s face stared back seductively. Mockingly.

‘I want a divorce, Daniel. I want to have a chance at finding happiness...’

Finally,finally, he got to the exit and saw his driver. He went over. ‘Have you seen Mia?’

‘I just dropped her home, sir, and came back to wait for you.’

Daniel looked behind him and saw the glittering crowd. He knew he had to go back.Shouldgo back.

But he got into the car instead.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

MIAWINCEDASshe contorted herself again in front of the mirror in the dressing room. It was no good. She needed help to get out of the dress but she’d sent Odile home when she’d arrived back a short time before, and she wasn’t about to scandalise Paul, so she would have to wait.

She’d done her best to comb the gel out of her hair, but washing it would have to wait too. At least it didn’t feel as if it was shrink-wrapped to her head any more.

She felt bad about leaving the party early, but—

She heard a noise and looked up. Daniel stood in the doorway, looking a little wild-eyed. ‘You’re here,’ he said.

Mia felt guilty. ‘Sorry. I just... It all got a bit overwhelming. I went out to get some air and saw the driver. I asked him to bring me home. I sent you a text.’

Daniel pulled out his phone as if he’d never seen it before.

Mia said, ‘You should go back. I’m sorry for pulling you away.’

Daniel put his phone back and shook his head as he tugged his bowtie loose. ‘The speech is done. No one will notice I’m gone at this stage.’

Mia doubted that very much. ‘You should go back,’ she repeated. ‘It’s a big night.’

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