"Don''t talk to me like that, you brat!" Mary didn''t bother with him, her gaze drifting over his shoulder, her


    eyes crinkling into a smile.


    "Oh, my darling Anne has arrived."


    Curtis turned around.


    The ballroom was a cascade of light and shadow, and the murmur of conversation dipped dramatically


    as numerous pairs of eyes turned toward the door, focusing on the dazzling figure that entered.


    First in were Joy and Selina, followed by a resplendent Leanne, who strode into the crowd''s apuse.


    She wore an borate gown adorned with crystals that sparkled like stars plucked straight from the


    night sky, shimmering with every step she took. The dress had a halter neck and an open back, her


    hair pinned up to reveal a smooth, fair expanse of skin. A delicate crystal chain draped from her neck


    down her spine, entuating her elegant shoulder des and merging seamlessly with the dress.


    Her beauty was radiant and ostentatious, capturing the gaze of every man in the room.


    The champagne Curtis had sipped turned sour with jealousy, his rxed demeanor evaporating


    completely.


    Upon entering, Leanne spotted Curtis with Mary and walked toward them, but not before a man


    approached her with a drink, hoping to start a conversation.


    He was handsome, with a look of eagerness in his eyes. "Are you a friend of Selina''s? I don''t think


    we''ve met before."


    Without even looking up, Leanne could feel a stern gaze on them.


    "My name''s Leanne," she replied politely, excusing herself. "Sorry, I need to say hello to Lady Mary


    first."


    Not easily deterred, the man followed her gaze to see Mary frowning disapprovingly at him.


    He was startled, still processing the situation, when Leanne walked past him, calling out, "Mary."


    Everyone knew the Richardson family had an adopted daughter, but wasn''t she supposed to be


    married to someone named Mr. Curt...


    The man shivered, finally realizing that beside Mary was the formidable Mr. Curtis.


    Curtis twirled his empty ss, his piercing gaze briefly scanning the man''s face, leaving a chill like the


    edge of a newly sharpened de.


    Joy passed by the stunned man, pping his shoulder andughing mischievously. "You''ve got guts,


    ha!"


    Although Joy and Selina were often unruly, they knew their manners. They approached Mary


    graciously, sprinkling their greetings with sweet, lucky phrases.


    Mary beamed at them. "Anne has great taste. Her friends are as lovely as she is."


    She even instructed Sarah to hand them gifts.


    The girls were overjoyed, hovering around Mary, chattering affectionately. When they turned around,


    they realized Leanne and Curtis had disappeared.


    "Hey, where''s Anne?"


    "And Curtis is gone, too?"This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Mary feigned innocence. "I haven''t seen them, dear."