[Chapter 59]
"Mr. Harding, here is the evening dress."
Cassie's eyes lit up. The dress and the jewelry looked expensive.
"Thank you." She pretended to remain calm and walked toward the man carrying the dress. Just as she reached out to take the dress, the staff unexpectedly walked past her.
"Miss, could you please get out of our way?" Cassie's eyes widened as she involuntarily stepped back.
The staff smiled and handed the evening dress to Natalie.
Cassie's face flushed with embarrassment.
'What the hell is going on? I thought it was for me. Why are they giving it to Natalie? Natalie has ruined my dress, but they get a new one for her? This is just ridiculous!'
"Thank you, but please take it back. This dress is too expensive. I'll just go home and get changed," Natalie said, nervously looking at the dress. It looked beautiful, but she couldn't accept it because it was too expensive.
"Mr. Larson has asked us to take care of you and make sure nothing bad happens to you at the dinner party. You can't wear your dress now. We had prepared some extra dresses in case of emergencies, and this is one of them. You can borrow it tonight. After all, it's a matter of our company's reputation." Garrett smiled calmly even though his heart was racing in his chest.
He knew that Sebastian would punish him if Natalie didn't take the dress.
After a moment's hesitation, Natalie finally took the dress.
"Miss, this way, please."
Natalie nodded and went to the dressing room with the staff.
"Miss, let me help you with your makeup. You are a natural beauty, and makeup will accentuate your features." The make-up artist picked up the eye shadow palette and carefully examined Natalie's face.
"I have already worn mild makeup." Natalie frowned and covered her face.
Despite being a designer, she didn't like dressing up. She seldom wore makeup and had never tried any heavy, dramatic look.
"What do you mean by you're wearing makeup? You have just worn a little foundation. I promise you will look gorgeous. You won't know unless you try. I have worked with many celebrities in the past. I'm sure you will dazzle tonight." The make-up artist smiled and waved the brush in her hand, as if it were a magical wand.
Soon, the makeup artist finished her work, and the assistants helped Natalie with the dress.
After checking that everything was in place, they finally led her out.
The noisy banquet hall dropped silent.
All eyes were on Natalie.
The sudden attention made her uncomfortable. She squirmed on the spot and didn't know where to put her hands.
'Gosh, why are they staring at me? Do I look ugly?'
Her stomach flipped with anxiety. Just then, Natalie let out a startled gasp as her gaze fell on the glass door.
She was amazed to see her reflection.
The woman on the glass looked nothing like her but seemed like a regal princess.
Her face looked flawless, and the makeup seemed to accentuate her features. Her bright red lips lit up her entire face.
The black velvet strapless dress revealed her milky skin. The dazzling neckpiece made her look like royalty.
Natalie was the most beautiful woman at the party tonight. It looked like the makeup artist had brought out Natalie's inner beauty that she had been hiding all this while.
The way a person carried themselves was an important factor in earning people's respect.
Natalie walked past the people watching her with rapt attention, gently lifting her dress. From the corner of her eyes, she could feel the people's burning gazes.
Her racing heart slowed down when she saw Sebastian. She quickly grabbed his arm and hid behind him. Her curled lashes and the neat sweep of eyeliner made her eyes look bigger and more seductive. "Thank you, Mr. Harding. I'll return the dress tomorrow."
Garrett coughed awkwardly. Unable to meet Natalie's gaze, he looked away. "Okay, okay."
After all, Natalie looked incredible after dressing up.
Sebastian used the opportunity to hold Natalie in his arms. He raked his eyes across her beautiful face as he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb as if she were a piece of art. "Have you worn makeup?" he asked softly.
"Don't I look good?" Natalie looked at him through her lashes.
Sebastian chuckled. He pressed his lips against her ear and whispered, "God, you are beautiful! You look like a real princess."
Natalie shivered and shrank into his arms. "Sebastian, stop! It tickles."
Sebastian's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened. He couldn't take his eyes off her alluring face.
Cassie burned with jealousy when she saw the intimate couple.
Her hatred for Natalie reached its peak. She felt the woman was a slut who effortlessly seduced men.
Ever since they were children, Natalie had been more attractive than her. Even though Natalie wore the simplest outfit, she would garner the attention of the people around her. Now that Natalie was dressed like royalty, Cassie felt she faded in comparison to her.
"Be careful about the dress. Otherwise, you'll have to sell yourself to pay it back." Cassie sneered and walked past Natalie, deliberately bumping against her shoulder.
Sebastian's face darkened, his cold eyes blazed with rage.
Seeing that, Garrett immediately waved at the security. "Throw this woman out!"
Several security guards surrounded Cassie and grabbed her arms to take her away.
Cassie thrashed and screamed, trying to free herself. "Why the hell are you driving me away? I'm here as Mr. Sherman's date. How dare you drive me away?"
"All right. I'll ask Mr. Sherman to deal with you."
Garrett looked around the banquet hall and saw a plump, timid-middle-aged man. "Mr. Sherman, don't be shy. What do you say?" he demanded.
Sherman had been a loser in his early years. Later, he gained wealth after selling antiques. However, by then he had become too old to have fun in life. He didn't dare to offend the deputy CEO of the Larson Group.
Sherman was frightened out of his wits that he didn't dare to even look at Cassie. "It's up to you, Mr. Harding." He waved his hand. "I just brought her to accompany me tonight. Besides that, we don't share any relationship. You can do whatever you want."
With that, Sherman turned around and began talking with the others as if nothing had happened.
"Do you know who I am?" Cassie bellowed. "I'm the daughter of the Quinn family. My parents won't spare you."
Garrett glanced at her coldly. Then, he picked up a glass of wine from the tray, took a sip, and smacked its lips. "I don't care who you are and which family you belong. I'm ready to deal with them at any time."
Cassie struggled desperately and refused to leave. Finally, the guards dragged her out of the hotel.
The commotion had already garnered the people's attention. Several men were staring at Natalie.
They all seemed to ogle her with lustful eyes, their gazes drinking every inch of her body.
"It's all right now. Let's go back to our seats." When Natalie raised her head, she saw Sebastian staring into the distance. His jaw was tense, and his eyes narrowed as if faced with a dangerous enemy.
Natalie sensed that he was angry.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked quizzically.
Sebastian took a deep breath and looked at her. Then, he took off his suit jacket and draped it around Natalie's shoulders. "Nothing. Put on my coat."