Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince rose slowly and walked over to stand beside Jessica.

The pale gold evening gown hugged her figure perfectly, making her skin look even more luminous and her curves more defined. Her long hair was loosely pinned up, revealing the elegant line of her neck. The grace she carried herself with could easily rival any heiress from the city's most prominent families.

Jessica had never dressed up so meticulously before. She clutched her phone and typed out a message: "Do I look too flashy in this?"

After marrying Timothy, she'd taken private lessons in etiquette, not wanting to embarrass him at some future social event. She had hoped that, one day, she'd stand by his side in public, holding her own. But it turned out there was never any need-Timothy had never once invited her to any function, let alone a gala like

this.

This was her first proper event, and as she looked around, she realized how different reality was from her lessons. The elaborate dress felt foreign, and she couldn't quite shake her discomfort.

Vince was quick to reassure her. "You're being modest. Wait till you see the other women at the party-now, that's flashy."

After all, banquets like these were as much about socializing as they were about women showing off their style.

Vince, for his part, had exercised caution. Since Jessica was Timothy's wife, he'd chosen her dress carefully—a lace gown with wide straps, her bare shoulders wrapped in matching fabric, the neckline a soft V, and just a hint of backless design. It was elegant, tasteful, and undeniably alluring-perfectly complementing her looks and her quiet confidence.

Jessica knew the unspoken rules: single women dressed to dazzle, while married women always aimed to honor their husbands, each one as beautiful as a painting. Her own look, she thought, struck a nice balance-nothing too bold, nothing to be anxious about.

she truly was. A little effort, and she was enough to turn every head in

glanced at his watch. "It's about time.

message to the

was still enough time for Larkin's birthday gift to

car pulled into the grounds of

area was already crowded with cars. Judging by the turnout, the guest

The grand

hall—just another testament to

Οι

wealth and

entire estate, though not quite as massive as the Lawson Mansion, was still one of

a classic

at Larkin's fondness for tradition

Cóntent

thought, would probably