Chapter 84


    Chapter 84 Masquerade Ball


    Duncan and Miranda, fraternal twins who had spent several years abroad, had finally returned


    home. They’d built careers in their respective fields of physics and chemistry, and with the family’s


    comfortable financial situation, they were keen to throw a party upon their return.


    Sylvia and Kelly weren’t too excited about the idea, but Juliet and Catherine were over the moon,


    especially Catherine, who seemed as if she couldn’t wait for the party to happen.


    “Why aren’t you two excited? These past few months have been so stressful for me,” Catherine


    eximed, “I’m a public figure now, and I can’t just go anywhere I please without careful


    consideration.


    Now that we’re all together, I want to go out and have fun!”


    While everyone understood Catherine’s desire for some freedom, they also knew attending such a


    gathering couldplicate matters. “Do you really think attending this kind of party won’t reveal


    your identity? And if people recognize you, can you imagine the online chatter?” Kelly yawned,


    voicing her thoughts to Catherine.


    Catherine paused, as if finally grasping the implications. A party would likely include many


    acquainted and unfamiliar faces, and her identity could easily be exposed, leading to unwanted


    attention on social media. Though it seemed trivial to her, waking up to news about herself every


    day was bing


    tiresome.


    Miranda, seeing the concern on their faces, reached into her bag and pulled out a mask, cing it


    in front of the group. “What’s the big deal? We’ll just have a masquerade ball. No one will know who


    anyone is, and we can enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”


    Her suggestion sparked hope in Catherine, who hadn’t considered the anonymity a masquerade


    could offer. “That’s actually a great idea, sis. Sylvia, why don’t we join in? I just saw…”


    Before she could finish, Sylvia’s phone rang with a call from the office. She excused herself from the


    group and stepped aside to take the call.


    Watching Sylvia move away to answer her phone, Duncan’s heart sank. He hadn’t even begun to


    express his thoughts, and already Sylvia was preupied with other matters.


    “If only I hadn’t hesitated three years ago, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way,” Duncan


    mused, feeling a pang of regret. He had originally decided not to study abroad, intent on pursuing


    Sylvia when he knew she harbored feelings for someone else. He wanted to fight for a chance.


    But that chance never came. Sylvia married another man before he could make his move.


    Heartbroken, Duncan had chosen to study abroad, hoping to mend his wounded heart. He had


    believed Sylvia’s marriage would bring her happiness, only to be shocked upon learning of her


    divorce.


    “Who is this man who couldn’t cherish such a wonderful girl like her? I went abroad for love once,


    and now, I must stay for love!” Duncan resolved, his heart set on not letting Sylvia slip away a


    second time.


    Everyone knew Duncan had his heart set on Sylvia and now, more than ever, his intentions seemed


    tantly obvious; they had simply gone unnoticed before due to Sylvia’s infatuation with Cyril. With


    those emotions now in the past, Sylvia saw situations more clearly than ever. However, her feelings


    for Duncan


    Chapter 84 Masquerade Ball


    hadn’t evolved beyond friendship, and her position was unlikely to change.


    Miranda rolled her eyes, her cynicism barely veiled: “You really do think highly of yourself, don’t


    you? Have you considered what you actually have to offer Sylvia? Besides your face, what


    else? I’ve seen the photos of the man Sylvia liked, and he is far more handsome than you. How do


    you evenpare?”


    Duncan, unfazed by Miranda’s remarks, retorted, “It doesn’t matter if you think Cyril is more


    attractive. In the end, he hurt Sylvia. Rather than her being with someone like that, she should be


    with me. I’m different; I would treat Sylvia well for a lifetime.”


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    His conviction left no room for doubt among those present; Duncan was sincere in his sentiments.


    “Alright, we believe you,” the group acknowledged, epting Duncan’s earnestness.


    Sylvia rejoined the group after her phone call, noticing the secretive huddle.


    “It’s been years since we’ve been together like this. Is there anyone in particr you’d want to invite


    to the party? When ites to it, we can ask them to join us,” Duncan suggested, indicating he


    might have someone special in mind, but the rest of the group remained silent out of curiosity to see


    what Duncan had up his sleeve.


    “I don’t have anyone specific to invite. It’s great just us, but if you want to bring others, it’s up to you


    and how big you want the party to be,” Sylvia responded.


    The twins, always eager for a grand event, would likely make the party grandiose by inviting a slew


    of both acquaintances and strangers


    There


    44no need for the others to extend their invitations since on the


    day, most attendees would probably be friends of the twins anyway.


    Duncan, who had been nning all along, announced after hearing the indifferent responses of the


    others, “Since no one else has someone to invite, I’ll take care of the invitations ording to my list.


    Remember, everyone, get ready for next week. We can’t afford any slip–ups. Our first party back


    home must be grand and high–ss!”