Camille sent him an unimpressed look.What kind of wording was that just now? Was he trying to make himself seem like an angelic gentleman?‘This devil incarnate is wearing sheep’s clothing but the disguise is just too lousy and obvious,’ she thought with a roll of her eyes.“I can handle myself,” she said coldly.For some reason, her response seemed to please Christian. “Ah, a fiercely independent woman, I see,” he remarked. “Just the way I like it.”Camille scowled.‘So infuriating!’When they finally arrived at the doors, Christian handed their invitations to the security guards. After a thorough check, they were allowed to pass.One of the butlers offered to take Camille’s hat and veil, so she agreed and handed them to him. The man also took both of their coats before gesturing for them to go inside.The moment Camille stepped into the hall, she felt her breath being taken away.The ballroom was huge. The walls were covered with silk tapestries depicting scenes from various eras,
‘What the hell is he doing?’ was the sole thought in Camille’s head at this very moment.Christian’s touch was surprisingly gentle. The pad of his thumb rubbed against the corner of her lips, as though wiping something away.“Are you even a lady?” he said with a tone of light disapproval. “You munched away so happily that you never even noticed these crumbs on your face. Have you not learned proper meal etiquette during your younger years?”The words processed inside Camille’s head for a moment before she, very slowly, grabbed his hand and put it down. It was fine when they were alone or at home, but they were at a public event now, so she couldn’t treat him with the same snark she usually did. She had to be careful with her actions from now on.“I apologize,” she gritted out, trying not to show the displeasure in her expression. “I will be more careful next time.”Christian smirked, knowing very well why she was suddenly being passive. “Good girl,” he praised, taking out a handkerchi
After those threatening words, Harold froze in his seat and stared at Christian with a look of disbelief. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, and not a sound escaped his lips.Camille, on the other hand, was clutching her elbow so tightly that her long sleeves were wrinkled excessively. She looked nervously back and forth between Christian’s cold gaze and Harold’s shocked, frightened expression.Perhaps the old man had forgotten, but Christian had more power and influence than he did. Even though they worked well together in business matters, there was a clear line that was not to be crossed.And that was never to offend Christian Callahan no matter what.“I would like to have a few more words with Mr. Huckington here, so please leave us for a while, Miss Parker,” Christian spoke up calmly.He didn’t even spare Camille a glance. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Harold, who was currently trembling like a leaf.“U—Understood, sir,” Camille stammered before hurrying
Camille wanted to gag.‘Camie’? What the hell kind of nickname was that?She tried hard not to let anything show in her expression and maintained a calm, cool façade. But she did grip his arm tighter than usual, and she felt a twinge of satisfaction at him stiffening for a brief moment.“Your… fiancée?” one of the men repeated in disbelief. The others looked like they were doubting their ears just now.Christian nodded. “Yes. My fiancée. She’s very lovely, isn’t she?” He pulled Camille closer to him until there was no sideways gap between their bodies. “I especially planned on introducing her to you all since I value trust between us. Soon, the two of us will be married, and I would like to invite you all to the private wedding.”“O—Of course! Of course,” one of the men quickly agreed. “This calls for a grand celebration, Mr. Callahan! Are you planning on holding a formal engagement party?”While the others were excitedly discussing, two of the men seemed especially confused.Larry Do
After reluctantly taking his hand, the two of them walked to the dance floor.The grand ballroom shimmered with the soft glow of chandeliers, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the room. The guests, dressed in elaborate costumes and mysterious masks, swirled around the dance floor, gazing into their partners’ eyes as if they were the only people in the room.The hall was filled with a soft, beautiful melody that drew everyone into an alluring atmosphere.“Do you know how to dance?” Christian asked.“I do,” Camille said flatly. “I learned it when I was a teenager.”“That was years ago. What about now?”“I can still dance. Don’t patronize me.”“All right, fine. Just don’t embarrass me.”Camille really wanted to kick him at least once.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached an area that wasn’t too crowded and started going into position.‘Let’s show him,’ she thought to herself.Their movements were tentative at first. He reached out and pressed his
Camille held her breath as she waited for him to respond. She continued to glare at him from behind her mask, gripping his shoulder so tightly as though giving him a warning.She knew that she was being reckless by challenging him and possibly provoking him, but it was either that or become his lifeless little doll for the rest of her life. As a matter of fact, she was still going to be his contract wife. She wasn’t going to break their agreement.All she wanted was for that little bit of freedom not to be taken away from her. It was hard enough to be around him all the time. She didn’t want to have to pretend that he was pleasant enough to be her ‘friend’. It was ridiculous.“…” Christian gripped her waist and continued to dance, his brown eyes studying her face intently. Camille followed his steps, but continued to stare back at him stubbornly.“Hmm,” he said softly. “You have a point.”That was all he said. He continued to dance with her, paying attention to the beats of the melody
Michael knew that it was Hailey the moment she went into his arms.How could he not? She was the woman that he loved. It would be impossible for him not to know that it was her.She looked so beautiful that his heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he had seen her so radiant. When she was a teenager, she never cared about makeup and beautiful clothes. She was so simple in her tastes that it was endearing.He could still remember the day she went to the prom barefaced and wearing the most gaudy, obnoxious dress he had ever seen.At that time, he wished that he could erase the horrifying sight from his memory, but it was perfect to use that time to tease her about it. Sometimes she would get annoyed with him, and sometimes she would laugh along with him. It was so refreshing to be around someone like her. There was no pretense, no unnecessary drama, and no prejudice.Now, that same young girl was now a mature woman. A woman so beautiful that it took his breath away.He thought abo
Both of them didn’t know what to say at first.They just stood there, gazes averted, with an awkward tension hovering in the air. Neither of them were inclined to speak first. They simply distracted themselves with the endless chatter of the other guests in the background, trying to rack their brains for something to say.Camille felt as if she had been hypnotized by this man for the last few minutes. It was as if she had been transported to another world the moment she walked into his arms. His scent was intoxicating to her now, and their proximity made her nervous.She had never felt this way about him before. She had always considered him only as a friend. There was attraction, sure, but only slight in physical appearance. Never anything remotely romantic.But now she was starting to wonder…Was she the only one who felt this way? What did Michael really feel about her in the past and also in the present?He had never stated it explicitly, so she was a little confused.“How have yo