The dress looked even more alluring as the light hit hundreds of the tiny crystals sewn into the fabric. It looked like the Milky Way was glittering all over Melinda’s body.

It hugged her every curve, the skirt flaring out at the bottom and swaying at her every step. Her figure gave a sensuous edge to the dress, which was perfectly tempered by her naturally gentle demeanor.

She looked like an accidental temptress who was completely unaware of her lethal beauty.

Jonas was smiling when she walked out of the fitting room, but his eyes had a dangerous, hungry glint to them.

"It’s so beautiful!" Melinda ran a hand over the bodice of the dress as she checked herself in the mirror.

It truly was a piece of art, and as she gazed at her reflection, she briefly fantasized that she was a goddess who had descended upon the mortal world. This was without a doubt even more luxurious than the previous dress.

When the couple returned hand in hand to the banquet hall, all eyes immediately fell on Melinda. Women, in particular, eyed her with venomous envy, Yulia included.

She had fancied this very dress when she saw it on display, but she couldn’t afford it. It was, after all, the only one of its kind.

She had not lamented the loss of the dress since she couldn’t help letting it go, but now the damn dress was on Melinda, and so was everyone’s attention.

Melinda, on the other hand, was squirming inside. She wasn’t used to being the focus of such massive and rapt attention. She felt awkward and embarrassed, and moved a little closer to Jonas.

He gave her hand a little squeeze. "Chin up, chest out, and smile."

His words lent Melinda some confidence, and she heeded his words. When they stood side by side, they were the picture of a perfect couple.

To those who didn’t know Melinda personally, she had been nothing but a wife who was unloved by her husband. But now people were doubting their presumptions, since there was no mistaking the doting tenderness in Jonas’s eyes.

At this point all of the invited guests had already arrived, and the couple walked up to Nelson. The elder was wearing a traditional red suit, which only served to emphasize his festive mood.

He was mostly pleased with the obvious affection between the young couple. Nelson took Melinda’s hand and guided her around the room, taking his time in introducing her, with no small amount of pride, to those in attendance.

By the time the evening was over, nobody would ever mistake Melinda as anything else but a beloved member of the Gu family.

As the evening progressed, Melinda took Nelson aside. "Grandpa, Jonas and I have prepared a little present for you."

She gave the old man a little secret smile, which only made him curious. Jonas nodded to a couple of servants, and a painting was brought into the room. "It is but a small thing, Grandpa, we hope you wouldn’t mind."

When the painting was unveiled, it arrested the attention of everyone in the room. Nelson himself was wearing a pleased grin, and Jonas was beaming at Melinda.

It was clear that she painted it herself. The people milling around the painting began to praise her talents, while the two men in her life were nodding contentedly behind her.

In a far corner of the room, Yulia was seething. She happened to also have prepared a painting for her grandfather, only she bought the damn thing.

If she were to present it in the wake of Melinda’s ridiculous display, then she would only embarrass herself. She couldn’t stand how things were turning out; even now that bitch was surrounded by everyone.

forcefully pushed the man near the front. The man lost his balance, and was soon hurtling towards

didn’t miss a beat. With a subtle movement, he

poor man sprawled into the floor, and when he raised his head to try to get

looked back to where he stood only moments ago. The

all tried to cajole him until his mood improved, and that small incident luckily didn’t

who the culprit was. Jonas saw everything that transpired, and he

who might have pushed that man. There were very few people who

tightened his hold around her waist. "Stay with

as he wanted to take Melinda away from any further mess, there were still a good number of people that needed to be

throng, and this arrangement brought great comfort to

to dance the first dance. Melinda’s nerves began

splendid dancer, and he led Melinda with ease. They

unperturbed, Jonas was in fact feeling on edge since earlier that night. Now that

keenly aware of all the stares from their audience. By the end of the dance her face was blushing a furious red in

let go of her yet, and she grabbed

deep rumble of his quiet laughter. He perched his chin

she immediately stepped back even though her face was still burning. "No, I’m not. I’m just tired! My feet hurt,

an irresistible urge to kiss her pouting lips. His grandfather’s laughter thankfully pulled him

them yet again, gushing about how perfectly suited they were with each other. The elder man

bedroom. After that failed fiasco, she

into all scurried away when they caught sight of her thunderous face. They were well aware just how monstrous her

bedroom door shut she started throwing things, her muffled

bed. Her

and fury. Tonight was supposed to be the time she knocked that bitch Melinda off

had been all her life. She grabbed one of her pillows and smacked it with

maniacal look on her face; whatever sweet, gentle facade she wore in front of others was long gone. Her hair was a mess from where she pulled

pillow was getting firmer and tighter as she fantasized about making Melinda

it?"

am someone who has known about you for a while now, Miss Gu. I was

his voice, and Yulia hesitated only for a moment before clearing out a path in her whirlwind of a room and making a little effort to tidy

transpired that evening, she was no longer expecting anyone to notice

figure and straight posture very well. He had a gentle smile, the reassuring kind, the kind

to Yulia, she noticed a hint of shrewdness dancing in

gracious of you to accommodate me under these unexpected circumstances. This is a present for you, I

Yulia, grinning as

I’m afraid I cannot take it," Yulia said demurely, fluttering her lashes in an effort to appear timid and reserved. In truth she was itching to snatch the box and pry

girl was playing. "Well I got it especially for you. If

she reached for the box. "Well, we can’t have

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