Chapter 761

The room was abuzz with disbelief! Everyone who had graced this evening’s party knew it was organized for the esteemed Mr. Bartley and Ms. Abernathy, the belle of the hour.

They were all, in essence, the supporting cast to this glamorous affair.

Yet, in a bold move that had everyone’s jaws hitting the floor, Aaron had swooped in and stolen the spotlight, whisking away Mr. Alston Bartley’s betrothed! And Ms. Marilla Abernathy had made her choice without a second’s hesitation, favoring Aaron over the two suitors vying for her attention.

Indeed, Aaron was a catch by anyard: wealth, lineage, looks. However, the engagement between the

Abernathy family and the Bartley family was practically set in stone. Wasn’t this a slap in the face of the Bartley family in front of the entire high society?

Beneath the opulent chandelier’s glow, Aaron’s gaze was fixed on Marilla’s eyes, which were as clear and bright as the stars above.

Others glided with grace around them, but they stood awkwardly still, their limbs stiff as if they were wooden posts. This had to stop before the entire Ashbourne family became the night’s laughing stock.

“Um, Aaron, weren’t we supposed to dance?” Marilla blinked up at him, her voice a soft whisper.

Captain Ashbourne was sweating bullets, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously, “I can’t dance.”

He was all fiery passion, his affection deep, acting on impulse to prevent the Bartley boy from touching the one he cherished.

But Aaron had forgotten one crucial fact: when it came to solving cases, he was top–notch. Dancing, however, not so much.

Marilla paused, and then broke into a gentle smile, “That’s Okay. I’ll teach you.”

“Just go through the motions?”

“No, we’re going to do this properly.” She suddenly looked every inch the stern teacher, “I don’t want you to be embarrassed, Aaron.”

He brushed off the concern with a casual smile, “I’m not in the business or political worlds, remember? Outside this room, I might never cross paths with these people again. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

But Marilla looked down, her eyes glistening, “I know you stepped in to help me out. I know that. I’ve already become a burden to you, and I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”

“If every day you bring me ‘trouble‘, I’d wake up laughing from my dreams,” Aaron blurted out his inner thought, his gaze intense with unspoken emotion.

Marilla’s breath hitched, her tender lips pressing slightly, “Aaron, let’s dance. You need put your right hand on my shoulder blade.”

hand finding the soft, delicate curve of her shoulder, his mind going blank as his heart raced. Then Marilla placed her left hand on

switch flipped, Aaron suddenly got it. He took her hand confidently,

surprised, “Aaron, I

out of sync with the music, and Aaron nearly stepped on Marilla’s feet a few times. Yet, their genuine, heartfelt interaction drew astonished looks from

made, and who cared

Chapter 761

and Aaron dance together, his eyes bulging in shock, his grip tightening around his glass to the point of nearly

“Mr. Frederic Abernathy!”

outburst, “Ms. Abernathy is my fiancée, and we’re to be formally engaged next month! How can she dance with another man in full view of everyone? What

icy, “Don’t speak out of turn. It was Mr. Ashbourne who dragged my daughter onto the

being by Marilla’s side at the start of the ball, and giving

the first to approach her!” Alston was shaking with anger and anxiety, “It’s your daughter who took Mr. Ashbourne’s hand right in front of me! If you didn’t see it, are you

nearby guests. Thankfully, the music was loud enough

as talons, seizing Alston’s eyes. In that moment, Alston realized just how formidable

could be.

Thaddeus was enough to strike fear into people’s hearts, what was his father but a force to be reckoned with? Alston stood petrified, unsure what to do next, when

your elder! How can you speak to your elder

his father’s urgent signals,

But now

broadened my horizon tonight.” Frederic’s icy stare swept over Alston’s pale face as he rose slowly, “I’ve never seen a prospective son–in–law dare to speak to his future father–in–law in such a manner before. One of these days, I really

Frederic regardless of the guests‘ gaze, leaving Alston standing

down, and guests were trickling out. Marilla found herself strolling

an urgent matter

brows furrowed with worry, “Do you think Dad’s upset because I danced with

her, “Not

“Ms. Abernathy.”

interrupted when Suri and Aaron approached. Marilla greeted them with polite warmth, “Hello,

Mrs. Ashbourne!”

with affection beaming from her face, “My dear, you’re such a lovely child. The more I see you, the more enchanted I am.”

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Chapter 761

wasn’t merely being polite. Her fondness for Marilla was genuine, unlike the mayor’s wife whose kindness was all for

Mrs. Ashbourne,” Marilla’s cheeks

stood silently behind his mother, his gaze heavy and intense, he couldn’t seem to look

Marilla.

Suri slipped off a jade bracelet from

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