Chapter 3 The Wedding Banquet
641 Words
“Miss, are you alright?” The voice was gentle, like a breeze, and the warmth in it instantly made Dora’s flustered heart soften toward the man before her.
“Th-thank you!” Dora stammered, her tongue feeling suddenly thick, her heartbeat racing. Her cheeks burned hotter with embarrassment. “I-I’m steady now.”
“I’m sorry, I acted impulsively,” he said, his tone still humble and polite, making Dora feel even more self-conscious.
“No, no! I’m not angry at you... I didn’t mean... for you to hold me,” Dora mumbled, her face turning a deeper shade of crimson. She quickly lowered her head, hoping he wouldn’t see the affectionate glint in her eyes.
Andrew glanced at the wedding dress under her coat, a fleeting shadow of bitterness flashing across his face. “You’re getting married today? Heh... what a coincidence. A friend of mine is getting married here too, on the same day.”
He looked at her again. With her delicate beauty and gentle demeanor, she didn’t seem like the type Lucian would choose for a wife.
“Are you taking the elevator too?” Andrew pushed his thoughts aside and smiled, trying to mask his emotions. “If you don’t mind, we can go together.” At least, for now, he didn’t want to be alone.
“Mm, I’m going up to grab something to eat, but I don’t like crowds,” Dora replied, her eyes lighting up as she happily followed him into the elevator, her focus entirely on the soft gleam of his black eyes.
“...” He, on the other hand, wasn’t worried about crowds. What troubled him was whether Lucian would dislike him being with her.
“What’s wrong?” Dora noticed the sadness that briefly clouded his expression and asked with concern.
“It’s nothing.” Andrew smiled faintly, unwilling to explain. Just as the atmosphere turned heavier, the elevator chimed open with a ‘ding.’
“I’m here,” Dora said awkwardly, lowering her head as she stepped out of the elevator, missing the brief flash of shock and tension on his face.
So, it was true...
As he watched her delicate figure rush into the wedding venue on the invitation, Andrew’s smile deepened into something bitter, his expression suddenly touched with a deep sadness.
She was Lucian’s wife. How could he bring himself to hate his rival? Ha... Andrew tilted his head back and laughed silently, tears unexpectedly welling up in his eyes.
Dora, holding her long train, slipped into a corner of the banquet hall. She had worn a plain coat over her wedding gown, which helped her go unnoticed as the bride from earlier.
“Mmm... this is so good!” Dora pouted, crouching under the long dining table, indulging in the unattended desserts. With each bite, she let out a contented sigh.
As she happily enjoyed her snack, a pair of designer men’s shoes appeared before her. “Hey, little sister-in-law, what are you hiding here for? Should I call Lucian over for you?” Ethan, with his mischievous face, half-Japanese and half-Chinese, wore a sly smile. He winked at her with eyes that sparkled with playful mischief.
“Uh, no need, no need! I’ll just eat a little and leave. Don’t call him!” Dora hurriedly grabbed his jacket sleeve and shook her head forcefully.
“Oh? So little sister-in-law doesn’t want to see Lucian, huh?” Ethan laughed playfully. “Now that’s interesting! I didn’t know anyone could resist his ‘troublemaker face’~~”
Before he could continue, a cold, sharp gaze pierced through him from behind.
“What are you doing here? Go back.” Seeing Dora so close to Ethan, Lucian felt an unexpected surge of discomfort rising within him. Even he couldn’t understand why it bothered him so much.
- Writer
