Sophie looked at her long gown in the mirror. Her eyes trailed down her body to her hips. The black body-length gown clung to her like a glove.
She examined her features, her plain face without any makeup, as she'd been advised to leave her skin to heal.
The discomfort of not being able to appreciate her appearance gnawed at her. She had felt beautiful today after Shirley had done her makeup, and for the first time, she wanted to show herself off.
She felt new, dazzling, but had to wipe it all off because of the animosity she had unfortunately been part of.
She assessed her body one more time. Her not-so-slim figure fit perfectly in the black gown, which had a deep V-cut neckline, revealing some cleavage and making her look enticing.
The gown flowed over her body, hugging her in all the right places, especially around her curves. It wasn't too tight, just comfortable enough to walk in.
The fabric clung to her hips, making them look wider than usual, giving her a figure-eight shape with a touch of sexiness. The gown pooled at her feet, with a long slit reaching up to her mid-thigh.
The neckline was embellished with silver crystals, drawing attention to her ample bosom, paired with a silver necklace and matching earrings.
Her long legs were perfectly showcased by the black heels she wore , which shone when she moved, thanks to the slit in her gown, exposing her smooth, fair legs.
Her black hair had been expertly styled in an updo, leaving her smooth, fair neck exposed, highlighting her features.
Her green eyes stood out, a striking sharp green that changed color with her emotions—her most distinct feature, a reminder of her late father and mother every time she looked in the mirror.
"Young madam, the young master is awaiting your presence," the maid's words pulled Sophie from her thoughts, and she stepped out of the room.
"Wow," the maid gasped, words failing her as she took in Sophie's appearance.
"Young madam, you look amazing! I'm sure you'll be the center of attention today," the maid awed, having never seen her young mistress in such sophisticated clothing—only the casual jeans and tops Sophie usually wore.
'The young madam is so beautiful. No wonder the young master married her. Maybe if I become as beautiful as her, I'll catch a rich young master's eye,' the maid thought to herself, feeling inferior standing beside Sophie but unable to stop appreciating her beauty.
Sophie smiled awkwardly, not used to being praised, mumbling a small 'thank you' to the maid, thinking she might just be saying it to get on her good side.
She walked down the stairs, holding onto the railing to keep from falling, never having worn heels this high before. Shane stood at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in his usual black blazer, but it seemed different today. It fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad chest as he stood with a deep frown on his face, talking on the phone. His brow furrowed as he muttered a curse and ended the call. A silver handkerchief in his breast pocket matched her gown. He raised his head at the sound of footsteps and his eyes widened, an emotion flickering briefly before he masked it. His gaze lingered longer than usual on her face as she descended, like a siren casting a spell over him. He quickly looked away when he realized what he was doing.
Noticing her discomfort on the stairs, he moved closer and extended his hand. His large hand held hers firmly as he helped her down the last few steps.
Sophie looked at him expectantly, hoping for a compliment, something typical like 'you look beautiful,' though she didn't feel it. Instead, she was met with his cold, impatient expression, wondering why she had paused. Disappointment settled in her heart as she let go of his hand and walked toward the gate. Shane glanced at her retreating figure, but there wasn't time to dwell on it, and he followed her to where the car was parked.
His black Lamborghini sat perfectly in the center of the compound, having been driven out earlier. He climbed into the driver's seat, while Sophie entered from the other side. A fleet of cars followed behind them as they left the building.
Sophie stepped out of the car after Shane parked. She adjusted her gown, then looked at the mansion in front of her. The compound was filled with luxurious cars, and the lighting gave the whole place an elegant, party-like atmosphere. 'The old man of the Collens certainly knows how to throw a party,' she thought. Shane came to stand before her, offering his hand again.
"Number four of the contract," he said in his husky voice. Sophie looked up at his face, his usual black mask covering everything except his eyes, nose, and mouth.
"The contract is void to me. I haven't accepted it," she said, determination in her eyes. He let out a throaty laugh, a smirk tugging at his lips, an evil glint in his eyes.
"Make one mistake, and see what I can do," he warned, grabbing her hand and leading her inside the hall.
************************************************************************************************************
"Grandfather, I don't understand why you favor senior brother so much. He doesn't care about you and is making you a laughingstock in front of the high class. He won't even show up at your event like he always does, leaving you to bear the shame. And today is no different," a young man said, walking up to the old master of the Collens, holding his hand pitifully. The senior master's face darkened.
"Grandfather, I know you don't like to hear this, but it's the truth. Shane doesn't respect or care for the family. He's always leaving me to do all the work at the company. Grandfather, he oppresses people with his position as the head. I don't know why you still keep him around. It's clear he's unwell and needs treatment," the young man continued, but the old man immediately pulled his hand away and pointed at him.
"You…"
"It seems you haven't learned your lesson after last time," Shane's voice cut through, stopping the old man from speaking further. The old man smiled widely upon seeing his grandson walk in.
The entire hall froze, staring at Shane, not believing he had actually come. It had been years since he had shown up officially for a formal event, and now he was attending, hand in hand with a woman. They took in the sight of Sophie beside him, marveling at her beauty, while some looked at her with envy for being on the arm of the young master of the Collens.
Shane had never been seen talking to a woman, let alone holding hands with one. Now, for the first time, he appeared with a woman, stepping into the hall together, leaving everyone in shock.