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.”

going blank as his heart raced. Then

took her hand confidently, the calluses on his thumb brushing against her

looked surprised, “Aaron, I thought you couldn’t dance.”

danced before, but I’ve seen it,” with that, Aaron moved, spinning Marilla with an unexpected agility. They weren’t the best dancers, often out of sync with the music, and Aaron nearly stepped on Marilla’s feet a few times. Yet, their genuine, heartfelt interaction drew astonished

handsome couple they made, and who cared how well they danced?

Chapter 761

dance together, his eyes bulging in shock, his grip tightening around

“Mr. Frederic Abernathy!”

could no longer contain his fury, his face flushed with rage as he stormed over, on the brink of an outburst, “Ms. Abernathy is my fiancée, and we’re to be

out of turn. It was Mr. Ashbourne who dragged my daughter onto the

be blaming yourself for dawdling, for not being by Marilla’s side at the start of the ball, and giving someone else

“It’s your daughter who took Mr. Ashbourne’s hand right in front of me! If you didn’t see it, are you saying

voice raised slightly, drawing glances from the nearby guests. Thankfully, the

that moment, Alston realized just how formidable the

could be.

was enough to strike fear into people’s hearts, what was his father but a force to be reckoned with? Alston stood

Mr. Frederic Abernathy is our honored guest, and your elder! How can you speak to your

father’s urgent signals, suddenly realized something.

two families had aligned, his father had privately started calling Frederic by name. But now he was being prompted to

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 should thank Aaron for giving me

me!” Mr. Bartley glared at Alston and chased after Frederic regardless of the

down, and guests were trickling out. Marilla found herself strolling towards the Abernathy family’s sleek limousine under the protective wing of Dennis.

had an urgent matter to attend to at

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

affair, comforted her,

“Ms. Abernathy.”

approached.

Mrs. Ashbourne!”

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

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Chapter 761

tell Suri wasn’t merely being polite. Her fondness for Marilla was genuine, unlike the mayor’s wife whose kindness was all for show. She couldn’t hide the disdain in her

Mrs. Ashbourne,” Marilla’s cheeks

stood silently behind his mother, his gaze heavy and

Marilla.

jade bracelet from her

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