Chapter 77
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 77
"I’m telling you, it’s not that kind of interest."
"Don’t be ridiculous. Unless you were planning her assassination, it’s exactly that kind of interest."
Cedric shook his head. It was clear that no matter what he said, Edgar had already made up his mind.
Why did Harriet have to wear that dress?
He found himself feeling an inexplicable flash of resentment toward her. He had only been staring because she looked so fundamentally different from her usual self.
He’d always assumed she preferred a more mature, demure aesthetic—styles that were subtly provocative in their elegance. But today, Harriet was draped in a pink tulle gown, its layers of delicate ruffles cascading like petals.
It was a dress straight out of a fairy tale, a style that had never once appealed to Cedric’s tastes.
And yet, when Harriet—enveloped in that soft, dusty rose hue—had turned her head toward him, Cedric finally understood why women were drawn to such designs.
She’s beautiful.
Her frame, her eyes, even her fingertips—which usually seemed so poised and firm—looked delicate and sweet today. She looked like an exquisite sugar doll displayed in the window of a famous patisserie during the holidays.
Even as she greeted Daphne, he couldn't tear his eyes away, searching for the lingering traces of girlhood that still remained within her. It was simply fascinating to see how someone he knew so well could appear so utterly transformed.
I was too careless with Edgar standing right here. He’s the type who lives to find something to tease me about.
Perhaps that shared sense of mischief was why they were best friends, but the sight of Edgar’s mouth twitching into a mocking smirk was nothing short of repulsive.
"Stop laughing."
"What, I can’t use my own mouth however I please?"
"It’s not what you think."
"Yes, it is."
In their childish squabbles, Cedric was invariably the loser. This time was no different; he was the first to fall into a sullen silence.
Fortunately—or perhaps not—the music for the first dance began shortly after their bickering subsided. Edgar’s eyes gleamed with a new, predatory interest.
"Hmm. Now this is interesting."
As the guest of honor, Daphne should have opened the floor, yet no man approached her. It seemed no partner had been pre-arranged for the occasion.
As if they had anticipated this awkwardness, Count and Lady Laurel stepped into the spacious, empty center of the hall. Ostensibly, as the host, it was natural for the Count to lead the first dance.
The problem was the memory lingering in everyone’s minds—the image of Daphne and James always opening the floor together in the past.
"If they were going to throw a party to rehabilitate Miss Daphne’s image, they should have secured a partner for her beforehand," Cedric muttered, tilting his head at Count Laurel’s oversight.
Without a word of warning, Edgar stepped away and approached Daphne. With impeccably refined posture, he bowed and extended his hand.
"If it wouldn't be too much of an imposition, would you grant me the honor of this first dance, My Lady?"
The room went still. Every astonished gaze in the hall pinned him in place.
"What is that troublemaker up to now...!" Cedric hissed under his breath.
Daphne offered a sweet, composed smile and placed her hand in his. "Will you lead?"
With her permission, Edgar flashed a dashing, confident smile and led her toward the center of the room. As they began to move, they looked like a portrait of exquisite grace.
Watching them from the sidelines, Harriet narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Edgar.
He’s no ordinary man.
She had briefly doubted him when he offered that easy smile and casual conversation, but now she was certain. Edgar was no mere dissolute playboy. He possessed a knack for sharply dissecting the social nuances that others were too afraid to touch, masking his keen insight behind a sly smirk.
Well, of course. An ordinary man wouldn't be Cedric Kailas’s closest friend. I’ll have to keep an eye on him.
Harriet smiled faintly to herself.
Nearby, Cedric was watching Harriet—specifically, the way she was smiling while looking at Edgar. For some reason, the linen napkin in his hand was suddenly crumpled beyond recognition.
*
Cedric wasn't the only man who found himself unable to look away from a woman.
Is that really Viviana Delus?
Adam couldn't believe his eyes. He checked, then checked again.
But the woman laughing and chatting effortlessly with her new companions was definitely Viviana. The acne-ridden girl who used to shadow Bella, sneaking pathetic, longing glances at him.
He remembered her clearly—the girl who tried to hide the red, bumpy blemishes on her chin under layers of thick, cakey makeup. Her plainness had always been magnified standing next to Bella, yet she had still dared to harbor feelings for him.
She was supposed to be that girl. And yet...
"Ahem. Would you care for a dance?"
A man approached Viviana, his intent clear. She offered an awkward smile and waved her hand in refusal, but the man persisted. Eventually, she relented and took his hand.
That’s her third request already!
Adam’s jaw tightened.
Objectively, he could see why the men were flocking to her. Her skin was clear and radiant, enhanced by light, natural makeup. Her hair was styled to perfection, and her dress was cut to make her soft curves appear strikingly voluptuous. Tonight, she was more radiant than she had ever been at any previous party.
She had simply abandoned the 'Bella style' to find what actually suited her, but Adam was too blinded by irritation to realize that.
Damn it! This makes it harder for me to step in!
From the moment he had entered the ballroom and confirmed Viviana’s presence, he had been looking for the right moment to give her a piece of his mind. He intended to tell her that Bella was deeply wounded by her slander, that he had never once liked her, and that she needed to beg for Bella’s forgiveness.
He hadn't expected it to be difficult. He assumed that a woman rumored to be a jealous traitor would be lurking gloomily in a corner, friendless and isolated.
Instead, Viviana was so busy socializing that she barely had a moment to breathe. Adam was forced to watch from a distance, unable to find an opening to approach.
Then, he noticed something else that bothered him.
"Viviana has been dancing without rest and is quite exhausted. As a gentleman, surely you can show a lady some consideration?"
Why on earth was Harriet Listerwell acting as Viviana’s guardian?
Harriet had intercepted the latest man vying for a dance and was now kindly offering Viviana a glass of water.
Not only did she betray Miss Bella, but now she’s clinging to Harriet Listerwell?
Adam’s blood began to boil. But what infuriated him most was the fact that Viviana hadn't looked at him once since the party began. If their eyes had met, he could have at least beckoned her over with a commanding look.
Before, she used to stare at me so much it was a burden!
Frustrated by the situation spiraling out of his control, Adam downed a glass of champagne. It was a vintage of excellent quality, but he was too incensed to taste it. Or perhaps it wasn't just anger—it was a restless, gnawing anxiety he couldn't quite name.
As he stood in the corner nursing his irritation, he saw Viviana wave goodbye to Harriet.
"I told you not to worry. See you later, Harriet!"
She began walking in his direction. Viviana wasn't looking at him, but Adam was certain she was coming his way. He straightened his coat, regaining his composure.
Of course. There’s no way she could ignore me.
He assumed she would pretend not to notice him until she reached the drink station, where she would either sneak a glance while pouring a drink or greet him with feigned surprise. She had done it a dozen times before.
But today, she would face his judgment.
He prepared the scathing words he would unleash the moment she spoke. He would condemn her vulgarity and remind her of her place.
Crying won't help her. I won't show her an ounce of mercy.
For the sake of the woman he truly loved, he didn't care if he was branded the kind of man who made women weep.
"Ahem!"
As Viviana drew near, he cleared his throat and tilted his chin up, striking a cold, imposing pose.
But Viviana walked right past him.
In a moment of pure reflex, Adam reached out and snatched her wrist.
"Ah!"
Viviana let out a small gasp and spun around. The sudden movement caused several loose curls to flutter around her face.
For the first time, Adam realized that Viviana’s eyes were two different colors.
"Young Master Hofner?"
Viviana stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if she couldn't fathom why he was touching her.
But the one truly caught off guard was Adam himself.