mily's mind si

led through the res

that

he look t

e frail and sickly? He d

se, why else would he have been hidd

h the crowd as Emily s

's rumored thir

actua

man who had spent years ab

ique she had glimpsed i

s, a firm and well-defined abdomen, an

d he loo

... all show a

y's mind, but before she could make sense

es from prestigious families, accompanied by their partners.

oduced Allen to everyone, and when he turned to Emily, he hesit

ndifferent gaze, and extended her hand.

ment before reaching out to

nd refinement. No unnecessary accessories adorned him, except for a single

, his voice deep and composed,

t Allen had addressed her as "

ever, simp

houldn't hav

ly should

began. Allen sat at the head of the main

dance. The guests had already made their donations in advance,

d women alike, each trying to seize a chance to converse wi

mily has chosen their h

le. The Hall family's history is full of failed

thing James isn't here tonight, o

pretty face? Does he have James' capabilities? Don't forget,

ets him, he still has t

d her wine

nt relatives. Technically, in terms of seniority, Ja

s' nominal wife

d her gaze

ick, yet at that exact mome

ad, listening to a beautiful y

heiress known for her high standards-now looked u

thdrew h

s, as a member of The Hall family,

king the last sip of her wine, she rose, grabbed anot

uests present, there were pl

straight toward

e ballroom, several well-dressed men

nd, without hesitation, sw

rough the air and splashed d

d, froze in place. But when he saw Emily,

is

re to star

wife... The W

rby tray and spoke. "Oh, uncle Alburt, I didn't expect

nd one of the key figures behind

his voice. "Emily, this is The Hall f

grabbed another glass of wine

nnocent yet defiant. "Oops,

ed, "If you mind, uncle Alburt, feel fre

another glass and

engulfed

or not. But before he could react, Emily

it all

ll fell into

pected James' supposedly quiet, invisible wife to be so arrogant and unre

His right hand shot up uncontrollably, swiping at Emil

as

ight at the feet of an approaching f

ps spread thr

's face pal

toward the source of the sound.

ped in, professionally yet firmly pl

ll family's banquet, but this woman-" Alburt starte

tives were present, but Allen was the

ecutives already revolved around him

ouldn't afford t

ged," Allen said, without so

mbers stepped forward

his gaze back to Emily, his

tened between the

erly awaited what

regarding propriety. No wonder James had no intere

this, she'd

oke in his compose

uch to drink. Take her to