Nyla smiled and spun around in the dress. The fishtail hem swayed elegantly with her movement, the sequins glimmering under the light."Really? I love it too," she replied.The sales associate adjusted the dress' hem from behind and chimed in. "Absolutely, Ms. Kinsey! You're actually the first person who's been able to fit into this dress perfectly!"Her admiring gaze drifted to Nyla's slim waist, and she wished she could have a figure like that. Meanwhile, Gigi's jealousy flashed briefly in her eyes as she looked at Nyla, who practically glowed in the dress.Still, she remembered that Damon was Brandon's uncle. If things progressed between her and Brandon, she might one day need to call Nyla "Aunt Nyla".Deciding to hold back any bitterness, Gigi praised, "You look stunning—absolutely like a goddess!"Valarie turned to Gigi with a scoff. "Didn't think you could actually say something nice for once."Gigi's face darkened with irritation. "Valarie, don't push it!""Didn't you
Nyla looked at Damon in surprise and asked, "You went to an auction last week?""A client of mine has a thing for antique auctions. There happened to be one in the city, so I attended with them to show goodwill. I saw a necklace I liked and thought I'd save it for your birthday," Damon explained."Then why are you giving it to me in advance?" she asked."I'm going to give it to you anyway. Giving it to you now is the same," he replied.Nyla felt a wave of warmth, and her smile widened, revealing her dimples. "Thank you, Damon."Damon raised an eyebrow, wrapping an arm around her waist. His tone was teasing. "Just a verbal thank you?"Nyla's face flushed as she asked, "How else would you want me to thank you?"Damon's gaze shifted to her lips, his voice dropping suggestively. "By mouth works.""Huh?" She looked up, only to find Damon's face suddenly closer. Before she knew it, his lips were on hers.Nyla's eyes widened, her hands gripping his jacket. She felt a jolt of electric
Damon tightened his grip around Nyla's waist before releasing her, gently smoothing her slightly tousled hair as he said in a low voice, "Let's go."They got out of the car, and Nyla slipped her arm through Damon's as they walked in together.At the entrance, Gabriel and Jane welcomed guests, catching sight of Damon and Nyla approaching from a distance.Nyla wore a blue gradient strapless gown, her long hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. She resembled a mermaid gliding through the deep sea—a sight so stunning that it was hard to look away.Next to her, Damon stood tall and sharp-featured in a charcoal-gray suit, though his face was devoid of warmth. He radiated an unapproachable air.The two walked together like a perfect match, making everything around them feel like a mere backdrop.Unaware of Nyla and Gabriel's history, Jane greeted Damon and Nyla warmly, "Mr. Sumner, Ms. Kinsey, welcome to my grandfather's birthday celebration."Damon's driver stepped forward to
Despite the murmurs, no one dared approach Damon or Nyla directly to ask about them, choosing instead to discuss and steal admiring glances from afar. After all, Damon had not been close to any woman in the past five years.The fiancee he had had was essentially a one-sided affair, and their engagement had been called off not long ago.Nyla's calm and graceful demeanor, despite the glances and attention directed her way, only enhanced her appeal.Damon guided her toward Pedro to offer their birthday wishes. Afterward, as they turned to leave, they ran into Nathaniel and Rebecca.When Nyla saw Nathaniel, she paused, surprised by how much he had changed in five years—he looked like a completely different person, his formerly vibrant energy now nowhere to be found.As they passed, a chilling aura surrounded him, causing Nyla to shiver involuntarily.Neither Nathaniel nor Rebecca acknowledged them, and Damon seemed equally indifferent, treating them as if they weren't there.Nyla gl
Valarie glanced over with a blank expression, then quickly looked away.Nyla turned to Valarie, unable to suppress her concern. "Valarie, maybe you should think over this engagement a bit more."Spending a lifetime with someone she didn't love would be painful—like reliving the same unfulfilling day over and over.Valarie managed a faint smile. "Nyla, you don't have to worry about me. I know what I'm doing."Seeing her stubborn expression, Nyla bit her lip. She wanted to tell Valarie about Damon's plan to help the Weirs but hesitated, fearing that Damon might change his mind and leave Valarie disappointed.With a quiet sigh, she decided to find a moment to ask Damon about it that evening."Nyla, I'd like to be alone for a while, so I'll leave you here," Valarie said, excusing herself."Alright, but don't wander off too far. The event will be starting soon," Nyla reminded her.Valarie nodded and quickly walked away.As she left, Nyla felt suddenly at a loss.After marrying Cla
The maid, Pauline Gundy, went pale and dropped to her knees abruptly. "Mr. Hackett, I have elderly parents and a daughter in university. My husband passed away in a car accident a few years ago. Without this job, my family will have no income. Please, have mercy on me!"Tears streamed down her face as her whole body shook with fear.Gabriel's expression remained cold and silent.Pauline's eyes darted toward Nyla, and she pleaded tearfully, "Ms. Kinsey, please, have mercy on me. I can't afford to lose this job. I beg you!"Before Nyla could respond, nearby guests began murmuring."She seems so pitiful. Maybe they should let it slide this time.""It's difficult for a woman to be the sole breadwinner for her entire family. Everyone makes mistakes. We should be forgiving.""It wasn't intentional. If they keep pressing the issue, it just makes them seem petty."Nyla's face turned frosty. It was easy for the crowd to act self-righteous—they weren't the ones who had nearly fallen onto
Pauline turned pale and collapsed to her knees under Gabriel's intense, chilling gaze. She knew what he was capable of, but implicating Jane would make her fate even worse.Resolving herself, she said firmly, "Mr. Hackett, no one told me to do it. If you don't believe me, call the police. I swear it was an accident!"Her words hung in the air as the room fell silent.Just then, a gentle female voice broke the tension. "Gabriel, what's going on? Why is everyone gathered here?"Everyone turned to see Jane approaching with a soft smile.When she noticed who was on the floor, she appeared surprised. "Pauline, what are you doing here?"A flicker crossed Pauline's eyes before she quickly lowered her head. "Ms. Wilkie, I accidentally bumped into Ms. Kinsey. She thinks someone put me up to it and now wants me to name the person… I swear, I'm innocent…"Jane frowned slightly and looked at Gabriel. "Gabriel, you know Pauline's character. She wouldn't hurt a fly. This must be some kind of
Once alone, Nyla quickly changed into the white dress, though it was a bit loose around her waist. She took a safety pin from her purse to cinch it. Then, picking up her original dress, she left the dressing room.When Jane saw Nyla in the white gown, her smile faltered even more. If Nyla had resembled a mermaid in the ocean earlier, she now looked as ethereal and untouchable as moonlight, her beauty strikingly cold and pure.Jane clenched and unclenched her hands before praising, "Ms. Kinsey, you really do look beautiful in anything. This dress suits you well!"Not missing the flash of envy in Jane's eyes, Nyla smirked. "Really? I have you to thank, Ms. Wilkie. I appreciate the loan.""You're welcome. Let's head back down," Jane replied.As they walked back to the main hall, guests took in the contrast between Jane's bold red gown and Nyla's elegant white one. In comparison, Jane's dress now seemed gaudy, almost overdone, while Nyla shone with understated elegance.Jane’s smile