Chapter 182: Glam Me Up (1)
Georgia’s POV
Saturday arrived before I even had the chance to catch my breath. Friday had vanished in a blur of meetings, chasing after former clients to win them back, and rushing to finish a proposal for prospective ones.
By the time I was done, I realized I had skipped lunch altogether and gone straight to dinner before tucking Katie into bed with her favorite story.
I must’ve knocked out the second my head hit the pillow because the next thing I knew, Wendy was shaking me awake. "Ella’s been calling nonstop," she said, thrusting my phone into my hand.
I groaned, rubbing my eyes. I hadn’t even set my alarm, planning to take the morning slow before heading to Vicky’s house after lunch. But clearly, those two had cooked up an entirely different plan.
With no time to waste, I hopped into the shower, threw on a casual top and denim skirt, and ran out the door. Excitement bubbled in my chest—half from anticipation, half from curiosity.
It was my first time going to Vicky’s place, but finding it wasn’t hard at all. Nestled just a short drive from Ella’s house, it almost felt like fate pulling me closer to the day’s surprises.
When I pulled up to Vicky’s place, I instantly noticed how different her style was compared to Nick’s. Where his penthouse screamed sleek and commanding, hers was charming and homey—a small, dainty bungalow with a neatly trimmed lawn and clusters of hydrangeas in shades of pink, blue, and white blooming proudly in front of the porch.
Ella’s truck was already there, along with a few other cars, which I guessed belonged to the people she and Vicky had hired to help us get glammed up.
I knocked on the door, and it swung open almost immediately. My eyes widened at the whirlwind scene inside. The cozy living room had been completely transformed—more than six people were buzzing around, hairdryers humming, makeup brushes flying, and racks of gorgeous dresses lined up like we were backstage at a fashion show.
"You must be Georgia! Finally!" A flamboyant guy greeted me with the brightest smile, immediately tugging me inside. Before I could even blink, he was holding dresses up to my chin, tilting his head this way and that as if already picturing me walking down a runway.
"Georgia, did you eat yet?"
I turned toward the voice and spotted Vicky, calm in the middle of the chaos, holding a bowl of salad like this was just another Saturday. Her smile was warm and inviting, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how surreal everything felt.
One second, I was rushing over in a denim skirt, and the next, I was being whisked into what looked like the set of a makeover montage.
"I literally just rolled out of bed. What is all this chaos? Are we walking the runway later or something?" I teased, making Vicky laugh so hard she almost spilled her salad.
"Runway or not, we, ladies, are going to be the most beautiful women in that room. Now, come on—eat first. This is your last meal until dinner, so enjoy it," Vicky said, linking her arm with mine and dragging me toward the kitchen.
The moment we stepped inside, I spotted Ella munching on salad, glaring at me between bites.
"I’ve been calling you a million times! You’re late!" she scolded, still chewing.
"Late? It’s barely ten in the morning. The party’s at seven tonight. I was planning to come after lunch," I defended myself, reaching for a bowl.
Vicky rolled her eyes dramatically. "Georgia, before they glam us up, we’re doing body scrubs, foot spa, mani-pedis—the whole shebang. Do you think we can squeeze all that in if you show up fashionably late?"
"What? Seriously? Why do we need all that? It’s not like we’re going to a wedding. It’s just a birthday party with company people," I said, stuffing my mouth with food like the rebel I was.
That earned me a synchronized look from both Ella and Vicky—one of those ’you-poor-clueless-girl’ kind of looks.
"Georgia," Vicky began with a sly grin, "you’re walking in there beside Nicholas Knight—the CEO of Knight Fleet Maritime.
Ella’s with Liam, the CEO of Knight Logistics, and me? I’m a CEO too, darling. All eyes will be on us.
More importantly, on you, the woman who tamed the prodigal son of Benjamin Knight. So yes, sweetheart, you need to look like you own the night."
I choked on my salad and raised my hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I get it. I just didn’t think it was that big of a deal."
Vicky’s smile softened, though her next words made my stomach twist. "Also... Raymond, Nancy, and Sarah will be there. Their families have a business partnership with the Knight Group."
My stomach dropped, and I froze mid-chew. Just the thought of those names made my throat tighten.
Vicky reached for my hand, squeezing it warmly. "Don’t worry, Georgia. Ella and I won’t leave your side for a second. Nick even made me swear yesterday. And even if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t let my sister-in-law feel out of place at an event I organized."
Hearing her call me her sister-in-law eased something heavy inside me. Unlike Violet Knight, at least there was another woman in their family who stood on my side, someone I could lean on when it mattered most.
"If Nancy and Sarah will be there, then hell yeah—glam me up!" I declared, raising my fork like it was a battle flag.
Ella and Vicky burst out laughing.
"That’s the spirit, girl!" Ella cheered. "Let’s show Nancy exactly what happens when she thought she ruined you, because all she really did was push you straight into the arms of the perfect man. Meanwhile, she’s stuck with Raymond, the biggest loser she could’ve chosen. Both of them are pathetic."
"And Sarah," Vicky added with a wicked smirk, "we’ll show her too why my brother chose you and not her. I bet she’ll turn up in one of her usual skimpy dresses, flashing herself around, desperate to lure Nick’s attention. So cheap."
The fire in their eyes made me grin, but deep down, my stomach twisted into knots. Their determination was infectious, and I loved how fiercely they had my back—but me? I was trembling inside. I hadn’t seen Nancy since that night... since she shoved me overboard.
*******
Thank you KATHLEEN_COLL for the Golden Ticket!