Chapter 173


    +15 BONUS


    Matthew came to pick me up just after one in the afternoon on the day of the birthday banquet. He


    stood tall and handsome outside my apartment, saying he would take me to get styled.


    He handed me a long, rectangr, t box from the back seat and urged me to open it. “This is a dress


    I had custom–made for you. See if you like it. If not, we still have time to buy another one.”


    “Can’t I wear my own clothes? Do I have to change into a formal dress?”


    Upon opening the box, I saw a pure ck dress with a hint of silvery pearl luster. The knee- length


    dressbined conservatism with liveliness in its design. The material and style matched perfectly,


    making it beautiful and valuable.


    I didn’t care for luxury goods and wasn’t well–versed in them. But I could tell the value of the dress was


    significant, just from Matthew saying it was custom–made. It couldn’t be less than 30 or 40 grand.


    His actions made me a bit ufortable.


    He kept saying he just wanted me to go as hispanion, with no other implications. It seemed like a


    spur–of–the–moment idea to bring me into his life.


    But custom–making a dress wasn’t a day or two’s affair. This meant he had nned for me to


    apany him well in advance, but he just didn’t tell me about it. It was because he was certain I


    would agree.


    I wasn’t sure if this was some kind of maniption on his part, but it definitely made me extremely


    ufortable.


    “Of course, you need to. Today is a formal asion. The guests are reputable politicians and


    businessmen. It’d be rude not to wear a formal dress. Oh, and the shoes are in the trunk. I’ll


    get them for youter.


    “After getting styled, the stylist will help you change into the dress and shoes. After that, we can head


    back to the Loxley family mansion together.”


    I held the dress box without speaking, wondering if it was toote to return.


    I wasn’t scared. I just felt I’d be out of ce at such an event. I couldn’t find a reason to look forward to


    it.


    +15 BONUS


    Moreover, I thought the banquet wouldn’t be as simple as Matthew described. It would likely end


    unpleasantly.


    Matthew seemed to notice my hesitation. He clenched his jaw and didn’t say anything further. He just


    pressed the gas pedal down.


    The stylist’s eyes lit up when he saw me. Despite being a man, Roger Thompson giggled flirtatiously,


    circling me twice and eximing exaggeratedly, “Matthew, I thought Ms. Lockwood was the best, but


    thisdy is divine. Such a slender waist. Oh, and such tender skin. You’re a lucky man.”


    Being scrutinized like that made me ufortable. I stepped back and moved away from his cologne’s


    reach.


    Roger’s gaze made me feel like an item up for auction.


    It felt genuinely unpleasant to be disrespected like this.


    His words clearly told me that I was just one of Matthew’s manypanions, no matter how attractive.


    Who knew who would be next?


    “What nonsense are you talking about, Roger? She’s my future girlfriend. We’re going to my father’s


    birthday party together.”


    Matthew interrupted Roger with displeasure, his exnation hurried and formal. It felt a bit like he was


    trying to cover something up.


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    I felt even more stifled, and my desire to skip the birthday banquet grew. I mulled over when


    would be the best time to express my reluctance.


    The thought of backing out crossed my mind again. Yet, after much deliberation, I still encouraged


    myself to go. I had to experience some things to let gopletely without


    regrets.


    Before I could voice my refusal, Roger had already called over two assistants. They began to work on


    me without any discussion, seating me in a chair for styling.