Chapter 17

Later, she carefully dried her silky black hair and took a comb to meticulously brush it. She tied it in a half-high ponytail because she considered the efforts placed before were just to treat it, making it feel more like a hair treatment rather than styling it. She then took a hairpin and placed it on the band holding her hair in place. She left her room and descended down the stairs.

As she took the last step of the stairs, she came across her uncle, who almost knocked her if not for her fast reaction. He stared at her for a few minutes from head to toe without blinking until his usual cold eyes showed emotions of anger and disgust. He grabbed her by her collar and yanked her towards him until they were at eye level. He asked her, "Why aren’t you wearing a presentable dress and accessories, or is your goal to sully our family?".

She looked at him with a perplexed look before glancing to the side. "I went to meet Nana to borrow a dress, but she refused," her uncle looked at her for a while, then pushed her roughly, loosened his tie, and shouted the name of his daughter. He then walked towards the parlor, sat on a canopy, and removed his tie. After a few minutes, Nana descended the stairs in a flowery dress.

Well, I cannot say she is a great beauty, but with her facial expression and the radiance of her skin, she can be approximately described as an angel. Well, it’s almost time for the show. Looking forward to it. Nana descended the stairs and rushed immediately to her father with a smile on her face. "Father, you called for me. Hmm, Aurora, aren’t you gone yet?" she asked Aurora, but the latter didn’t answer and instead looked behind at the man sitting on the canopy with visible anger.

After what felt like hours, Matson spoke, "Why didn’t you lend your clothes to your cousin?" he asked, his voice holding no warmth. Nana flinched for a while. Even though he was her father, they were not too close, but he still tried to give her everything she asked for. So, in the midst of it all, nothing came to her knowledge that he could be angry and responded, "I tried to propose to her, but she didn’t want and refused."

Upon hearing the answer, her father’s eyes flew to Aurora standing behind his daughter. A vein popped up, but he still maintained his level of voice, "Now explain to me, what is the meaning of this?" His question was directed to Aurora. Aurora bowed down her head, not daring to look into his eyes. "I really did ask her for a dress to lend, but she said that I can go and meet Bryan, that if I ask well, he can make me beautiful. That’s the reason why I’m leaving early. I’m sorry if my shabby appearance disgusts you." Her head still bowed down as she spoke in an apologetic tone.

Her head still bowed down as she spoke in an apologetic tone. What she said made Nana’s veins pop up this time, and she was red with rage. Her voice came out loud, “I just said that you were going to be a substitute, and that father will not let a bastard like you have my dress. How dare you ment-” She couldn’t finish her words because her father gave her a loud slap. Nana held her cheek in shock as she looked at her father in stupefaction before remembering what she said.

She wanted to explain, but her father held a hand in front of her to stop her from talking. He looked at Nana, “Do you think I will risk expanding my business just because of your stupid pride?” His eyes glued on Nana, informed Aurora without pulling his eyes away from his daughter, “Go and choose a dress in Nana’s wardrobe, wear it, and leave. You’re late.”

Aurora nodded and left. That was what she was looking forward to. Her uncle would do everything for his business, even to the extent of disregarding his daughter’s pride and more. That was something she was sure about. By using Bryan’s name, it made Nana unable to think of an answer to defend herself, which made her spill the beans. However, that wasn’t what she was aiming for. She walked towards Nana’s room, unable to hide the smile on her face.

She was really looking forward to the expression Nana would make when she discovered what she had done. She opened the wardrobe and, after careful selection, chose a long champagne-colored satin dress, fitted at the waist to highlight her figure.