Enrico nced at his phone, turned it off, and tossed it to Jaden.
Leah stepped forward to appease, “Enrico, would you do us the honor of starting the first dance?”
“What did you say?” Jeremy asked, looking displeased. It was their wedding anniversary dinner, and he felt that the opening dance should be reserved for him and his wife.
“It’s a rare asion,” Leah approached cautiously, “Enrico, would you dance?”
Enrico surprisingly not outright refused, “I don’t have a partner.”
Leah quickly offered, “Can I arrange one for you? Rachel has many friends here today, all beautiful and charming.”
Seeing the opportunity, some of the moguls stepped forward with their partners, “Mr. Gustin, if you don’t mind, let my partner apany you for a dance. She has won dance titles before.”
The partner was seductively dressed.
Enrico ignored them, scanning the crowd. The girls grew excited, hearts racing. Even Nancy, who admired Bryan, couldn’t help but dream, trying hard to muster a beautiful smile, hoping Enrico would notice her.
Rachel was about to fetch water, but heard these words, her eyes flickered slightly, calmly and gracefully walking back. “I’ve been practicingtely. How about-”
Enrico stood up abruptly, pushing her aside and walking towards the crowd of guests.
Rachel stumbled back, her remaining words choked in her throat.
Whispers arose from the crowd of girls.
Paige had a sinking feeling, ‘Don’te over. Please, don’te over.’
But Enrico still walked up to her, gesturing with his hand, “Come.”
The girls let out exmations of surprise. Nancy’s face turned extremely unpleasant. ‘What’s wrong with these men’s eyes? Bryan only had eyes for Paige, and even Enrico chose her as his dance partner among so many female guests.’
The Elite Club members stood together, Carl and tha ssmates looking very uneasy. Meanwhile, Mr. Snow, sitting aloft, took a sip of his drink and spit it out directly upon seeing the scene. Could Enrico be interested in this girl? If sheins, he’ll be in trouble, won’t he?
Bryan stood nearby, watching with darkened eyes.
Paige felt that everyone’s gaze was focused on her.
“Aren’t youing?” Enrico was overly arrogant.
“Mr. Gustin, I don’t dance,” Paige managed a strained smile, her tone polite yet distant, as if they were barely acquainted. She hoped he would understand her plea, to not make her a target.
“As long as you have feet,” Enrico responded nonchntly, grasping her slender wrist firmly and dragging her away. His fingers were long, warm, pressing tightly against her skin.
The crowd automatically made way for them.
Under the gaze of many, Enrico pulled Paige onto the dazzling stage that had been prepared.
The band quickly began ying music. It was a romantic and beautiful lovers’ melody.
Enrico lightly held Paige’s waist as they danced.
“You’re doing well.” he remarked.
On the stage, their voices were only audible to each other.
“Who else did you dance with?” Enrico was jealousy, his hand tightening around hers.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
“I learned from someone in the slums,” she replied. She had learned a lot of things in the slums.
“Was it a man or a woman?”
“A woman.”
“Oh,” he said. He continued dancing with her, ignoring the audience below.
Paige couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’te? Is something wrong?”
At her words, Enrico abruptly tightened his grip on her waist, forcing her to press fully against his chest.
The close proximity caused many girls below to gasp in surprise.
Enrico acted as if he didn’t feel anything, lowering his head and whispering ambiguously in her ear, his thin lips brushing against her earlobe, “My woman can’t be insulted by others.”
Paige’s heart raced, matching his rhythm as they danced, somewhat resignedly saying, “After tonight, will more socialites want to target me?”
“Are you only starting to feel the pressure now? Isn’t it toote?”
With one hand resting on his shoulder, she murmured lowly, “You could act like you just randomly picked someone to dance with at the banquet, otherwise I might have trouble.”
“Are you so afraid that I’ll tell everyone you’re my woman?” He hade specifically for her, yet she wasn’t touched; instead, she worried he would cause her trouble. He was actually disliked by a woman?
Paige felt his anger and thought for a moment. “What am I afraid of? There are advantages and disadvantages to being public.”
“How do you bnce that?” Enrico red at her, waiting for her next words.
“The advantage is that with the title of Enrico’s woman, I can do as I please in this country, and no one can bully me,” Paige said quietly. “The downside is obvious, like Molly’s kidnapping case. Of course, with your ability, I won’t fall easily, but even if I do, it doesn’t matter-”
“Are you trying to provoke me? I’m not afraid of being provoked.” Enrico abruptly released her hand,
The music ended right on cue.
The crowd erupted in enthusiastic apuse.
Enrico immediately withdrew his hand, turned away with a cold face, and walked off.
Paige steadied herself on the stage, looking at his retreating figure with mixed emotions.
Among the guests, Rachel stood beside Jeremy and Leah, her gaze following Enrico’s movements.
Jeremy turned and walked away, and Leah hurried to catch up with him.
Rachel stood still, her beautiful face expressionless.
Carl approached her, watching Paige on the stage. “Is your brother really interested in her?”
They had all mocked Paige quite heavily today. If she hooked up with Enrico, turned the tables, they would be in trouble.
At his words, Rachel gave a graceful smile. “I’ve always said Joss is special. As amoner, she shines so brightly, dances so well-it’s like there’s nothing she can’t do. It’s normal for my brother to be interested in her.”
She praised Paige again. Carl was extremely repulsed.
A maid carrying various empty sses walked past him. Thinking of Rachel’s words, Carl suddenly chuckled coldly, thinking, “There’s nothing she can’t do? That’s too much. Amoner like her, the upper ss has plenty of things she can’t do. Today, I’ll make sure she makes a fool of herself so she can’t catch Enrico’s eye.”
After the dance concluded, a group of business tycoons crowded around Enrico. Paige nced at him and then turned away, walking off.
Rachel approached her. “Joss, you danced really well.”
“Oh, I’m leaving,” Paige replied casually.
“I’ve prepared a dinner in the side hall, eat something before you leave, okay?” Rachel said, grabbing her hand and leading her out.
Paige was about to pull her hand back when arge ck and gold-trimmed door was opened by two servants. Inside was an extremely grand high-ceilinged side hall, with a long dining table capable of seating dozens of people.
Present at the table were the dignitaries Rachel had invited, including members of the Elite Club and Nancy, with Bryan even seated at the table. What puzzled Paige most was that Enrico upied the main seat. How did Rachel manage to persuade Enrico to dine at her table?
Enrico sat with his back to her, his coat removed, idly toying with a tall ss of wine in his hand, his gaze fixed on the table.
Paige had initially intended to leave, but seeing Enrico there, she knew she can’t…
“Joss,e, sit,” Rachel smiled and guided Paige to sit at the seat to Enrico’s right.
Paige nced at Enrico, who didn’t even look at her, his gaze still on the wine ss in his hand, his slender fingers tapping the table absentmindedly.
The atmosphere was eerily quiet and awkward. Paige sat down, with Bryan sitting beside her.
Bryan nced at her, then at Enrico, but said nothing.
“I’m really happy today. My brother is here, and so are my friends. Let me propose a toast to everyone,” Rachel stood up from her seat, lifting her champagne ss to toast the guests.
The servants behind each guest promptly stepped forward to pour wine into their sses.
Everyone graciously raised their sses. Nancy and a few female ssmates stood up respectfully.
One girl nudged Nancy’s arm, prompting her to look at Paige.
Nancy looked somewhat perplexed and asked, “What’s wrong with the ss?”