Ch#77
Ch#77
Ch#77
~Chapter 77~
“That’s not the kind of interest.” Cedric said firmly.
“Don’t lie to yourself. If it wasn’t a devouring stare, then it was definitely that kind of interest.” Edgar replied with a teasing smile.
Cedric shook his head in frustration. No matter what he said, Edgar wouldn’t change his mind. Especially not with that smug smile and those eyes full of mischief.
Still—why had Harriet worn a dress like that?
He felt irritation bubbling up. At himself, at Edgar, and most of all, at Harriet.
He didn’t like that he was reacting this way at all.
He shouldn’t look at her. He shouldn’t pay her any mind. But the moment she entered the ballroom in that dress layered with soft pastel pink tulle that shimmered with every movement, he couldn’t help but notice. How could he not?
She looked so different tonight. Harriet usually favored mature, composed dresses—elegant ones with a subtle hint of boldness. But tonight, she wore a delicate pink tulle gown with layers of ruffles, like something straight out of a fairy tale.
It wasn’t his type at all. At least, that’s what he thought.
But somehow, when Harriet, wrapped in that soft, subdued pink, turned her head toward him and their gazes met, everything changed. For the first time, he understood why women loved dresses like that.
She was… beautiful.
Her strong jawline, sharp eyes, even her confident demeanor—tonight, all of it looked softer, sweeter. Watching her, he thought of a delicate sugar figurine displayed in the glass case of an extravagant year-end cake shop.
Even as she greeted Daphne, Cedric couldn’t tear his eyes away. He tried to find traces of the stubborn girl he knew in her face. But the Harriet he knew seemed to dissolve like mist, leaving only a sparkling vision.
It’s just surprise, he told himself. Just curiosity. That’s all.
But Edgar noticed. Of course he did. The moment Cedric let his guard down, Edgar swooped in like a hawk.
Maybe that’s why they were such close friends. Edgar had an eye for what others missed and a mouth that never knew when to shut.
“Don’t smirk like that.” Cedric snapped.
“What, now I can’t even smile?” Edgar shot back, clearly enjoying the situation.
“It’s not what you think.”
“It’s exactly what I think.”
Cedric realized this argument was a losing battle. He always lost to Edgar’s teasing. With a sigh, he rubbed his temples in surrender, hoping it would dispel the embarrassment creeping up his neck.
Fortunately, the music began. As the orchestra struck up the opening waltz, the guests turned toward the ballroom with eager eyes.
“Strange.” Edgar muttered. “No one’s asked Daphne to dance yet.”
The first dance was usually led by the evening’s star. Tonight, that should have been Daphne. But oddly, no one approached her. Daphne stood gracefully and poised, clearly waiting for someone. No partner stepped forward. No prearranged escort in sight.
As if on cue, Count Laurel and his wife stepped into the ballroom. It was fitting as the official hosts. But people remembered how Daphne had always opened the evening with James in the past.
Cedric tilted his head. “If this party is meant to restore Daphne’s image, someone should step up and dance with her.”
Before he could finish, Edgar was already heading toward Daphne. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply and offered his hand.
“If it’s not too presumptuous, might I have the honor of the first dance with Lady Daphne?”
All eyes turned to them. Whispers rippled through the air. Cedric grumbled under his breath.
“What the hell is that guy up to now…?”
But Daphne smiled. Not a forced, polite smile, but a genuine one.
“Lead the way.” She said softly, placing her hand atop his.
And so, they began to dance.
It went beyond mere elegance—it was mesmerizing. Edgar moved as if he’d practiced his whole life for this moment. He led Daphne effortlessly, never crossing lines or faltering. The crowd was captivated.
Harriet’s eyes narrowed as she watched.
‘He’s no ordinary man.’
At first, his friendly smile and overly casual speech had seemed suspicious. But now, Harriet was certain. He wasn’t just some thoughtless playboy. He knew exactly what he was doing. He aimed for places no one else dared touch, hiding the blade in his charm.
‘A friend worthy of Cedric. No ordinary person could stay by someone like Cedric Kailas’s side.’
She smiled faintly.
And at that moment, Cedric looked at her again. Just as she smiled at Edgar. The napkin in his hand crumpled into a shapeless wad without him realizing.
But tonight, Cedric wasn’t the only man struggling to tear his gaze away from someone.
Adam stood frozen, his jaw slightly agape.
‘That’s… Viviana Dellus?’
He blinked once, twice, three times. But the scene before him didn’t change.
There she was—Viviana. Laughing, smiling, chatting lightly with new people as if she belonged there.
‘There’s no way that’s the girl who used to steal glances at me from behind Bella like a mouse. The one who caked on makeup to hide her skin troubles and clung to Bella like a shadow.’
She looked… different. Radiant, even.
Her skin glowed clear and luminous, her makeup light and natural. Her hair cascaded in glossy waves, as if styled by a professional. And the perfectly fitted dress accentuated her curves without even trying.
She’d shed the outdated style Bella had forced on her and chosen something that suited her. And she shone.
Adam didn’t like it.
Tonight wasn’t supposed to go like this.
He’d planned to corner her. The moment he saw her, he’d accuse her of hurting Bella, of having no right to speak to him, of owing apologies to both of them.
It should have been easy. He’d thought she’d be hiding in a corner, ignored and unwelcome. All he had to do was find her.
But Viviana was thriving. Chatting, dancing, shining.
It was already the third song. He’d been counting. Three different men had approached her, and each time, she’d accepted gracefully.
‘What the hell is going on?’
He couldn’t stand it. And then he saw something even worse.
Harriet Listerwell. She was helping Viviana. Handing her drinks, pulling her away from overly persistent dance partners.
‘What’s going on?’
Blood surged in his veins.
‘Now she’s latched onto Harriet?’ Adam fumed.
But what tormented him more was that Viviana hadn’t glanced his way once. Not even a flicker. If their eyes met, he could signal her over. But no.
‘She used to look only at me like a lost puppy.’ He thought angrily.
Adam downed his champagne in one gulp. Fine, expensive—the best blend he’d ever tasted, probably—but he didn’t care.
He was too irritated. Too… anxious.
Was this anger? Bewilderment? Or jealousy?
He couldn’t tell.
Then, he saw her again.
Viviana waved to Harriet with a farewell. “Don’t worry about me. See you later!” She called out cheerfully.
Then she started walking. Toward the refreshment table. Toward him.
Finally.
Adam straightened his coat, lifted his chin, and steeled himself. Now was the time. Calmly, sharply—cruelly if needed. He’d show her she couldn’t just waltz back into society without consequences.
All for Bella.
He rehearsed in his head.
「Did you think you could act like nothing happened? You hurt Bella. I never liked you. Go apologize to her.」
That’s what he’d say. She’d cry, and maybe—maybe then he could sort out his feelings.
But when Viviana approached—she walked right past him.
She didn’t look.
She didn’t stop.
She didn’t see him.
In that moment, something inside him crumbled.
Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Ah!”
Viviana gasped in surprise. As she turned, her wavy hair swayed. And for the first time, Adam noticed—her eyes were different colors.
One a pale green, the other a soft blue.
She stared at him in shock.
“Lord Hoffner?” She asked, as if she didn’t recognize him.
But Adam couldn’t reply.
For the first time since arriving, it was he who was speechless.
