It was Louis’s first time seeing Elisa in this fishtail dress. Earlier, he had sensed something off in Mrs. White’s tone over the phone, and now, he finally understood.
He couldn’t help but notice Elisa’s long legs and the beautiful bareback. He wished to sew up the densely exposed areas, making sure not a bit of flesh was visible.
Elisa was doing her hair, intending to put it up to better showcase the superior curve of her neck. She didn’t like to complicate her hair too much. She simply took a hairpin and pinned her waist-length hair behind her head, letting a few strands fall from her temples, adding a touch of gentleness to her beautiful and confident face.
Red is difficult to manage, but Elisa naturally suited the color. Like a red rose blooming in the early morning, or a warm firework shining brightly in the long night of wind and snow.
This was the Powell family’s Miss, praised by everyone in Bankshire. The red rose that had been nearly drowned and rotted, now miraculously revived, continuing its former boldness.
Louis walked up behind her and gently removed the hairpin, causing Elisa’s long hair to cascade down like a waterfall, covering her bareback.
“Let your hair down,” he said.
Elisa was taken aback by his sudden move, but then she noticed the slightly jealous glint in the man in the mirror as he glanced at her back, and she instantly understood.
“Am I not attractive in this dress?” she teased him.
“Attractive… very attractive,” she was just too attractive, so much so that he couldn’t help but conceal her, keeping her just for himself.
Like a child ghost who had obtained a precious treasure, carefully holding it in their hands to avoid dropping it, keeping it in their mouth to prevent it from melting, cautiously cradling it, simultaneously wanting to hide it and show it off: Look, this is my treasure.
That was Louis’s current state of mind; his Elisa was the best treasure in the world.
“Letting your hair down is also attractive,” he added.
Elisa gave him a meaningful look. Seeing him lower his head, she noticed his reddening ears twitching a couple of times, yet she didn’t see through his intentions.
“Then I’ll leave it down.” However, just leaving it down wasn’t enough. Elisa casually picked up a hair clip, and Louis skillfully took it from her and clipped it into her hair.
Now… her back wasn’t completely exposed anymore; the hair partially obscured it, still alluringly seductive.
Elisa was very slender, her spine curving inwards, making her waist appear even more delicate.
“It’s a bit chilly outside, should I get a shawl for you?” Louis suggested.
“Up to you,” Elisa replied playfully.
The dress was prepared by Mrs. White, and along with it, Brittany had someone deliver a set of jewelry. Louis had also prepared a pair of high heels for Elisa and handed her the invitation sent by Mr. White.
The invitation was addressed to Elisa, “Chairman of the Board of Directors of AW Group: Elisa.”
A luxurious red carpet was laid outside the hotel, and there were already many reporters waiting outside.
The charity evening hosted by the White Group had attracted many noble and wealthy families, including influential celebrities from the entertainment industry who had received invitations.
Elisa was the publicly acknowledged fiancée of Louis, the lead actor. She should be coming tonight as well.
The reporters who had come were, without exaggeration, ninety percent there for Elisa.
Last time at the awards ceremony, she had hurried in, received her award, and immediately announced her retirement, leaving them with no reaction to grasp. Before they could dig up any stories, Louis, who had rushed over, had taken her away, and she had not appeared in the public eye since.
They had many questions to ask. When did she start dating Louis, the award-winning actor? What did it feel like to win such a grand prize? What was the real reason for retiring from the entertainment industry? Now that she was the fiancée of Louis, the lead actor, when would they announce their marriage? Also, in the video that had surfaced online two days ago, was the woman who looked like her related to her?
Some reporters had already inquired about the inside information and had learned that Elisa would be arriving with Louis tonight. They had sold this information to marketing accounts, and it had already caused a stir online.
“Who among those invited this time isn’t a big shot? What is Elisa doing here? She’s a retired actress, is she donating money?”
“Only true nobility and tycoons attend this kind of occasion. Look at the big shots who are attending tonight; even if they are not from this circle, you can see that all the big shots havea strong background. They are all established actors.”
“Even if Elisa hadn’t retired, she wouldn’t be qualified to attend. She only got in because of Louis… I wonder what he sees in her.”
“It’s so difficult for entertainers to break into the upper echelons. With Elisa and Louis together, a sparrow has directly turned into a phoenix. It’s no wonder she chose to retire.”
“Those above are so bitter. Is it so hard to admit that Elisa is outstanding? She’s the youngest actress to win all the major awards, and the ratings for Revenge and Love surpassed all records. Elisa is more than suitable for Louis, a perfect match, unbeatable, a celestial match.”
“It’s not easy for Louis, the leading actor, to like someone, and he’s still being attacked by his fans. Do they want to drive away his sister-in-law and make him become a monk?”
Online, there were three factions: supporters, opposition, and spectators, leading to chaotic arguments.
However, the biggest reaction was Elisa’s leap into high society, all thanks to Louis, and not her own merit.
In the car, Elisa leaned on Louis’s shoulder, not looking at her phone. When they arrived, Louis got out first and extended his hand as she stepped out.
In the dimly lit car, their eyes met, and after exchanging a smile, Elisa placed her hand gently in Louis’s palm and stepped out of the car, linking her arm with his.
Louis leaned slightly closer to Elisa and said, “Tonight, I am here as your escort.”
“This escort had better behave well,” Elisa replied, walking the red carpet arm in arm with Louis, facing the lights.
As soon as they appeared, the reporters who had originally been photographing others quickly shifted their focus towards them.
“Elisa and Louis have arrived!”
Someone called out, and instantly, the flashes all converged on them.
The hotel lobby was beautifully decorated, and tonight, it was filled with influential figures. Elisa handed over her invitation.
After inspecting the invitation, the security guard’s attitude towards Elisa was particularly respectful. The reporters around were somewhat surprised by this scene. Normally, it was Louis who would bring Elisa to attend such an event. Why was the security guard showing more respect to Elisa?
As Elisa walked in, she noticed all the different glances. She had attended many events like this before.
On the surface, it was for charitable donations, but in reality, it was to expand one’s social circle and make connections with the upper class. Business people always felt that they had too few friends, and an event like this, where just having an invitation indicated one’s status in the upper echelons.
Mutual flattery and comparisons were inevitable. To put it bluntly, it was a way for ordinary people to show their ability to manipulate others.