Leonel responded indifferently, âYouâre thinking too much.
â
Before Anika could respond, a gentle voice interrupted.
âDad!â
Anika and Leonel glanced over and noticed his son and daughter nearby.
Both kids were strikingly beautiful, inheriting their looks from their parents.
Evelyn was a stunning girl.
Leonel lifted her into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a ki*s on his cheek.
Daniel, though younger, was more composed and adored his sister deeply, and so he didnât protest when his dad didnât pick him up as well.
Leonel led them to the buffet area and handed Evelyn her favorite ice cream.
Seeing Leonelâs tender gaze, Anikaâs heart skipped a beat.
She dreamed of how joyful life would be married to such a man.
When Alexis entered, she caught Anika gazing affectionately at Leonel.
To add to the tension, Anika was wearing the same dress as Alexis.
Alexis grabbed a champagne glass.
Noreen coughed and called out, âMiss Cohen.
â
Anika turned and saw Alexis.
She feared Alexis would be shocked and upset upon seeing the dress and might even lose her temper⦠But Alexis remained cool and even offered a smile, greeting, âHello, Miss Cohen.
â
âMs.
Fowler, your kids are adorable,â Anika quickly said.
âI prefer Mrs.
Douglas for now.
Miss Cohen, perhaps you should call me that today, since I am still a married woman, after all, right? When you need legal counsel and come to my office someday, weâll go back to addressing me as âMs.
Fowlerâ then.
â
Anika had been in the television business for years and knew her way around.
Deep down, she never had much respect for Alexis.
Yet, she was caught off guard by how composed Alexis appeared.
Anika was about to say something when Leonel walked up, his arms wrapped around Alexis.
He eyed the identical dresses the two women wore, visibly annoyed.
âWhy are you dressed like my wife?â he questioned.
Alexis couldnât help but chuckle at the situation.
In a rush, Anika apologized, âIâm so sorry, sir.
It wasnât on purpose⦠Iâll go change right away.
â Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she looked visibly upset as she made her way to the lounge.
Suddenly, a shout broke the silence, and dark red wine stained her dress.
The waiter nearby was shocked.
He was sure he had been careful.
âOh, Iâm terribly sorry, maâam!â he apologized immediately.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Anika responded gently, âItâs okay.
Itâs not your faultâ¦â She cast a meaningful glance at Alexis, hinting at something.
Noreen was seething with anger.
She thought Anika was being two-faced!