# Chapter 37 Meeting at the Banquet: A Diamond Reborn
Eric Ferguson rose from his seat abruptly, his chair scraping the floor with a harsh sound that drew eyes from nearby tables. Without another word, he strode away, leaving Colton White pale and stunned in his wake.
Keith Ludwig chased after him, his footsteps quickening to match Eric's long strides. *This must be related to Nicole again,* Keith thought bitterly. *That woman's really troublesome.*
"Ferg, why do you look so upset? We're all bros. You know Colton's always been straightforward. Don't take whatever he said to heart."
Eric knew he had overreacted. He hadn't expected to lose control like that. But finding out about things he should have known—things that had been kept in the dark—sent a single, burning thought through his mind: *Is this why Nicole hates me?*
His chest felt heavy, suffocating. He stood at the entrance for a long moment, letting the cold wind bite at his skin until his mind cleared. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply. "I know. You can tell him it's not directed at him."
*I'm just mad at myself,* Eric thought.
Keith exhaled with relief. "Okay, but you're not longing for that woman, right?"
Eric cast a sidelong glance at him and snorted. He couldn't be bothered to satisfy Keith's curiosity. Instead, he changed the subject with a cutting remark. "Your restaurant can't compare with this new place. My advice? Close your business."
Keith's face flushed red with anger. "Are you even my bro?!"
---
Meanwhile, across the city, the J&L Corporation anniversary banquet was in full swing. The grand hall sparkled with chandeliers, and the air buzzed with the murmur of powerful conversations. J&L had invited an elite cross-section of socialites, businessmen, and politicians—everyone who mattered in the city's upper echelons.
Nicole had done her research thoroughly. J&L Corporation was a relatively young company, without significant backing, yet it had carved out a formidable reputation and scale in just a few short years. Their focus? Integrating technology and artificial intelligence into everyday life. They had already mastered core technologies that many nations still struggled to achieve.
*If I can land this artificial intelligence project,* Nicole thought, *Stanton Corporation will become a pioneer in this new field.*
She had come prepared.
---
The hall buzzed with polite conversation and clinking glasses when suddenly, a wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Heads turned toward the entrance.
There, framed by the grand doorway, stood a couple that commanded immediate attention.
Everyone recognized the man—Grant Stanton of Stanton Corporation. Ruthless, decisive, and feared by many, his presence alone was enough to shift the room's energy.
But it was the woman beside him who stole every gaze.
She wore exquisite makeup that highlighted her stunning features, her long wavy hair pinned back elegantly. Beneath her gentle appearance lay a hidden majesty—a quiet power that radiated from her every movement. Her dress was a hand-stitched bespoke masterpiece, inlaid with real diamond bits that caught the light and scattered it like a thousand tiny stars. The fabric hugged her slender waist, and when she stood beneath the chandeliers, she glittered so brilliantly that she seemed to shine brighter than the lights themselves.
Her elegant demeanor and extraordinary temperament made the crowd marvel.
Some recognized her. *Isn't she Eric Ferguson's ex-wife?* they whispered. *He was so blind to divorce such a stunning woman...*
People surged forward to greet them. "Mr. Stanton, your female companion today is a real showstopper!"
"Mr. Stanton, welcome..."
Grant Stanton's smile reached his eyes as he raised his wine glass to the crowd. "She's my Vice President, Nicole. Please take good care of her."
"Vice President Nicole is so beautiful and talented," they murmured. "You must be very outstanding to hold a position at Stanton Corporation..."
Nicole responded to everyone with grace, her smile polished and warm, her words measured and kind. She was no longer the timid woman who had once been hidden away in the Ferguson household.
Grant glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost time for the main address. He patted Nicole's wrist gently, then leaned in to whisper a reminder in her ear. "President Lichman of J&L Corporation is about to speak. Stay close."
Nicole nodded, her eyes scanning the room—and landing on a familiar, venomous gaze.
---
Across the hall, Ingrid stood frozen, her face a mask of barely concealed fury. She was surrounded by other socialites, their expressions a comical mix of envy, disbelief, and jealousy. Nicole's diamond-studded dress had stolen all the attention away from their carefully selected gowns.
Ingrid looked especially shocked and angry. She had her eye on that very dress half a month ago. It was one of Louis Vuitton's private custom pieces—the diamonds on it were real, sourced from a famous jewelry brand. The dress was valued close to nine figures and was meant only for display among the elite. Ingrid had begged to rent it, only to be told that someone had already ordered it. Worse, she was told that the dress could not be replicated because that mysterious lady wanted unique attention.
*Who knew that the dress she wanted would be worn by Nicole?*
*What's going on?* Ingrid thought, her mind racing.
Nicole used to be conservative and ugly when she lived with the Fergusons. She only knew how to do chores around the house, didn't dare to utter a word. She was so humble—like a servant. But this woman in front of Ingrid was proud, confident, and radiated such a stunning aura. She was like a completely different person!
If it weren't for the wrong occasion, Ingrid would have marched over and exposed Nicole. She wanted to tell everyone that Nicole was just an ugly, old-fashioned woman who had been abandoned by the Ferguson family. She wanted to tear off Nicole's confident mask and let everyone see how miserable and lowly Nicole actually was.
But she couldn't. Not here. Not with Grant Stanton standing protectively beside Nicole.
So Ingrid clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, and forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
---
Nicole felt Ingrid's gaze like a cold blade against her skin. She didn't flinch. Instead, she turned her head slightly, caught Ingrid's eye, and offered the smallest, most confident smile—a silent acknowledgment of the battle that had just begun.
Tonight, she wasn't just attending a banquet.
She was reclaiming her power.
---
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
What a stunning chapter! The transformation of Nicole from a forgotten housewife to a dazzling vice president at a high-society banquet is absolutely electrifying. The contrast between Eric's brooding guilt and Nicole's radiant confidence is masterfully drawn. You can feel Eric's internal turmoil—his realization that he kept her in the dark, his bitter question "Is this why Nicole hates me?"—while simultaneously cheering for Nicole as she walks into that hall like a queen reclaiming her throne. The scene with Ingrid's jealousy is deliciously satisfying; you can practically taste her bitterness. And that final moment where Nicole meets Ingrid's gaze with a confident smile? Chef's kiss. The chapter perfectly balances emotional depth with high-stakes social warfare.
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars**
## Next Chapter Prediction
With Nicole now front and center at J&L Corporation's anniversary banquet, the stage is set for a confrontation. President Lichman is about to speak, and Nicole is ready to pitch the artificial intelligence project that could make Stanton Corporation a pioneer. But Eric is still reeling from learning the truth about Nicole's past mistreatment—and Ingrid is seething with jealousy. Expect Eric to show up unexpectedly at the banquet, catching Nicole off guard. Will he try to win her back? Or will he watch from the shadows as Nicole proves she never needed him? Meanwhile, Ingrid may try to sabotage Nicole's presentation or humiliate her publicly—setting the stage for a dramatic showdown that could change everything.