# Chapter 81: The Banquet of Broken Dreams
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 81 of "REMARRIED AFTER I SECRETLY DIVORCED THE CEO" – a chapter filled with ironic twists, painful revelations, and the slow burn of a woman reclaiming her worth.
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The afternoon sun streamed through the office window as Autumn's phone buzzed with a message from Ethan. His words were straightforward: "I heard Mr. Shaw returned to Northhaven today. He'll probably be at the banquet tonight. Is your draft ready?"
Autumn's fingers flew across the screen. "Yeah, it's ready. I'm just waiting to hand it over for his review."
A moment later, Ethan replied, "I've got something to take care of after work, so I'll be there a bit late. You go ahead first with the invitation. I'll have Colin drop it off to you."
"Alright," she typed back, then set the phone down and returned to her work. She felt a quiet flutter of anticipation – tonight could be a breakthrough for her career.
Soon enough, Colin arrived, delivering the elegantly embossed invitation. Autumn accepted it with a grateful smile, thanking him warmly before he hurried away.
Time slipped by, and before she knew it, the workday had ended.
Autumn drove to the five-star hotel where the banquet was being held. The grand ballroom shimmered under crystal chandeliers, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and ambition. She slipped into her gown – a stunning smoky gray couture creation – applied light makeup, and entered with the invitation held confidently in her hand.
The room buzzed with conversation, clusters of people holding champagne flutes, networking and laughing. Autumn recognized no one, so she found a quiet spot near the entrance and sat down to wait for Ethan, content to observe the glittering crowd.
Then, a ripple of commotion swept through the entrance.
Autumn looked up and felt her breath catch in her throat. Walking in arm-in-arm with Julian was Luna, flanked by Grant and Ryan. Luna was a vision in a smoky gray couture gown, her neck and ears adorned with priceless jewelry that sparkled under the lights. She looked like a proud princess, every inch the center of attention.
But what struck Autumn like a physical blow was the gown. Luna's dress was the same design as hers – identical cut, identical silhouette – just in a different color. They were wearing matching dresses.
And then she saw the jewelry.
Her heart stopped.
That set – the diamond necklace, the earrings, the bracelet – was the one Julian had gifted her when they got married. She remembered it well. He had told her there were only three sets in the world, priceless and impossible to buy. She had never worn it, because it was a wedding gift from Julian, and she had thought it too precious, too meaningful. She had kept it stored safely, treasured in a velvet box.
Now it was draped around Luna's neck.
The irony was almost too bitter to swallow.
In that moment, everything clicked into place. Julian had come home last night – not out of any lingering affection, not to see her – but to steal her things. To take the precious gems she had treasured and give them to his mistress. To parade his betrayal openly, shamelessly, in front of the entire industry.
Was he trying to disgust her on purpose?
Autumn's hands trembled slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.
Across the room, Julian sensed someone watching him. His gaze swept the crowd until it landed on Autumn, and his brows furrowed in confusion. Why was she here? This was an event for industry heavyweights, not some casual gathering. Her presence was unexpected, unwelcome.
Ryan soon spotted Autumn sitting in the corner. He leaned toward Grant, lowering his voice. "Look at that clingy shadow, Autumn. She's wearing the same gown as Luna, and she actually managed to follow them here. Not bad."
Grant's expression remained neutral, but his eyes flickered with amusement.
Ryan continued, "Luna has no idea Autumn exists. She's always thought Julian was single. If they run into each other, with Autumn's temper, don't you think it'll turn into a battlefield?"
He paused, then added, "Hey, Grant, we should try to stop Autumn later. With a crowd like this, we can't let her make a scene."
In his mind, Autumn was nothing but a nuisance – possessive, controlling, suffocating. No wonder Julian had grown to hate her. She had brought this upon herself.
He never expected Autumn to crash such a high-profile event. It was unreal.
But Autumn sat still, her face a mask of composure. Inside, her thoughts churned like a stormy sea. She had come here for her work, for her future. She would not let Julian's cruelty or Luna's smugness derail her. She had already divorced him in secret. Tonight, she would prove that she was more than a discarded wife.
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter hit me right in the heart. The pain of seeing your treasured wedding gift draped around your husband's mistress is gut-wrenching. But what I love most is Autumn's quiet strength – she doesn't crumble, she doesn't cause a scene. She simply sits there, dignified and composed, while the world tries to break her. The parallel between the two women wearing the same dress is a masterstroke of symbolism. Julian's theft of her jewelry shows just how low he has sunk. And Ryan's arrogant assumption that Autumn will "make a scene" only makes me root for her more.
**⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars**
## Next Chapter Prediction
I predict that the confrontation between Autumn, Luna, and Julian will be explosive. Autumn won't stay silent forever. She has the draft, she has her dignity, and now she has nothing left to lose. Julian might try to dismiss her, but Luna's curiosity will be piqued. And when the truth about Julian's marriage comes out? The fireworks will be spectacular. Also, Ethan's late arrival could shift the dynamics in a surprising way – perhaps he'll be the one to stand by Autumn when everyone else looks down on her.
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