Kilin, still annoyed by Wyatt's presence, cast an indifferent glance at him. Their eyes met for a brief moment before she quickly looked away. Her unresolved feelings and lingering resentment quickly resurfaced.
Seemingly sincerely concerned for her, Luna turned to her "Are you okay, Kilin?" she whispered while glancing at Wyatt in the corner of her eye.
Kilin forced a smile while saying, "I'm fine. I am just going to get something to drink," she replied, her voice tinged with annoyance. She just wanted to leave but before she could disappear Wyatt approached them. He glanced at Kilin's dress and shoes before looking away.
"Wah, looking at you two standing together I would think this is your engagement party," said Lance after coming back with two glasses of champagne.
He gave one to Wyatt and Wyatt accepted it. He glanced at Kilin wanting to see her reaction after Lance said that about them but the person was gone.
While no one was looking Kilin had slipped away from the group, skillfully maneuvering through the crowd. She had vanished like a ghost. It was then he realised Lance was talking about Luna.
Meanwhile, Kilin found the perfect hiding spot. It was in a quiet corner of the grand hall and she could see Rayalan from this angle. He was with the Branson family patriarch who seemed very reluctant to let him go.
She picked up a glass of juice from a passing waiter and took out her phone to check the message Reckless25 sent to her. When she read his message she couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. With a smile on her face, she typed back.
RoyalRose: No...
RoyalRose: Wow... your mind is not so innocent.
After sending the message she sucked on her straw pretending to pay attention to the events unfolding at the entrance.
A hush fell upon the crowd as the mahogany double doors swung open, revealing Aldridge Jesen, dressed in a dashing suit that accentuated his tall, authoritative figure.
By Aldridge's side stood his beautiful wife, Victoria, an elegant woman with eyes that sparkled like sapphires. Her long, flowing gown gracefully hugged her curves, amplifying her regal allure. The couple emanated sophistication, exuding an air of enigmatic allure that drew everyone's gaze.
As they made their way through the crowd, Aldridge's commanding voice boomed over the murmurs, "Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate my birthday. Your presence here means the world to Victoria and me." The gathering erupted with enthusiastic applause. Throughout all of this Kilin was contemplating going outside and playing games on her phone. She saw Reckless25 had responded thus she read his message.
Reckless25: ?
Reckless25: You are the one with a dirty mind.
She smiled completely unaware that her aunt was glaring at her.
RoyalRose: I deny those allegations.
As soon as she sent that message she felt a shadow hovering above her. When she looked up she found her aunt glowering at her. If it weren't that they were in public she would have had an earful handed to her.
Scarlet stretched out her hand demanding her phone but there was no way in hell Kilin would give it up she would rather die.
"Give it to me. You will get it when we are leaving!" said Scarlet her stern tone cutting through the air like a blade. Kilin's heart skipped a beat as she quickly slipped her phone into her clutch purse.
Scarlet's eyes fixed on her as she continued to reprimand her. "What do you think this is? Do you want to embarrass the Branson family by using your phone at such an important event," she said but Kilin's defiance flared up within her. She suddenly wanted to burn bridges so that way she wouldn't be invited to this type of hoity-toity event ever again. Sure her mother would be pissed but she didn't care. She would willingly accept the consequences. Scarlet felt even more annoyed being disobeyed. She was planning on giving it back after the event but now she planned on confiscating it for a week. In her mind, she had every right to discipline her on behalf of the family. Kilin tried to excuse herself but she swiftly blocked her path. Her voice dropped into a low, menacing tone. "You're not going anywhere until you hand it over. This behaviour is unacceptable."
Kilin's stubbornness hardened her resolve. She stood her ground, meeting her aunt's gaze with defiance.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a calm voice broke through the escalating confrontation. "Scarlet, darling, let's not make a scene." Uncle Roland emerged from the crowd, his presence commanding attention. He gently placed a hand on his wife's arm, urging her to step back.
Scarlet's anger was momentarily subdued as she turned to face her husband. "Deal with it," she said.
Roland smiled warmly, his voice soft and soothing. "I will handle it. Mrs Ainsworth seems free for the moment," He gestured toward Mrs Ainsworths who was standing by her husband, the vultures circling around them prior were all gone.
Scarlet acquiesced, her anger simmering beneath the surface. She cast a final glare at Kilin before storming away, her high heels clicking on the polished marble floor.
Roland turned to Kilin, his expression softening. "You know, Kiki, maybe you should go outside. You can find a quiet spot so you can play with your phone as much as you want."
Kilin's eyes widened in surprise, the tension slowly dissipating. She didn't really talk to her uncle and could count on one hand how many times they had spoken.
Kilin nodded her head and Roland seemed satisfied. He smiled at her his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before walking away. Kilin turned her back and checked her phone which had buzzed again.
Reckless25: What are you up to?
Kilin was a little confused with the question but this conversation was the perfect escape she needed from all of this. She took a picture of the table with finger foods and sent it to him. She typed out a message under it.
RoyalRose: I am stuffing my face with food at a boring event.
RoyalRose: (Bored cat.gif)