Bianca felt a warm sensation in her heart.
“But…” A mischievous grin appeared on his face. “You know, as a man, what you said earlier hurt my pride. You have to… make it up to me.”
Bianca looked up, puzzled. “How do I do that?”
As she finished speaking, Dave suddenly took her hands and pressed her against the wall.
Since their last disagreement, his desire for her had only intensified. He wanted to keep her close despite any doubts he had.
His eyes were as deep as the sea, shimmering with a complex emotion.
He seemed about to kiss her, but at the last second, he turned his head and hugged her tightly instead.
“Just let me hold you like this, alright?” he requested, resting his head on her shoulder, his face against her slender neck.
The tingling sensation on her neck and the flutter in her heart made it impossible for Bianca to refuse.
As she nodded, Dave hugged her even tighter, as if trying to merge her into his body.
It felt strange for her to want to keep her distance from him. She knew she couldn’t get too close to him anymore, but her body didn’t want to push him away. She found herself enjoying the warmth he gave her.
What should she do?
It felt like she couldn’t stand being away from him…
But then she wondered, what exactly was their relationship?
Suddenly, Bianca snapped back to reality. She gently pushed on Dave’s shoulders, ending the embrace.
“What’s wrong?” Dave didn’t want to let go.
“Mr. Evans, I… I’m not feeling well. I need to change my clothes. I’ll meet you at the door soon.” With that, Bianca quickly broke free from his grip and hurried away.
Dave remained leaning against the wall, watching her leave with a thoughtful expression and a furrowed brow.
She kept pushing him away. What was she really trying to avoid?
Lately, with Dave’s help, Bianca was getting really good at riding horses.
There was a big horse-riding competition coming up soon, and she was determined to win it.
But then, out of nowhere, Bianca got a call from Stacey.
“Tomorrow is your dad’s birthday,” Stacey said. “He’s worked really hard all these years. I’m throwing a party for him by the sea to celebrate. I know you’re not on good terms with him right now, but he’s still your dad. You might not want to do the usual stuff, but you can’t miss this party. He raised you, Bianca. Don’t let him down again.”
Stacey was determined to convince Bianca over the phone, and Bianca couldn’t help but consider her point.
Bianca thought for a moment, suspicious of Stacey’s sudden party invitation and her insistence on her coming.
“Okay, I’ll come tomorrow night,” Bianca replied with a confident smile. Now that Stacey had asked her, she didn’t want to refuse.
The party was held on the beach, with bright lights creating a romantic and fancy atmosphere.
Stacey looked stunning in a custom-made purple dress, her hair styled elegantly. She looked graceful and stylish.
The local wealthy crowd gathered around Stacey, praising her, and she enjoyed the attention.
But secretly, the party, which was meant to celebrate Peter’s birthday, was actually for Bianca.
Suddenly, Stacey noticed someone coming towards them.
She smiled and went over to Bianca, linking arms with her.
“You came, Bianca. Your dad and I were getting concerned. We thought maybe you were still upset and wouldn’t come.”
The people around nodded along with Stacey.
“You’re family. There’s no place for holding grudges.”
“It’s your dad’s special day. You have to be here for him.”
“Just apologize to your dad and let the past go.”
Stacey’s tone softened. “Let’s not focus on Bianca, everyone. She’s still figuring things out. She might not realize the sacrifices we’ve made. Yes, she’s had an argument with us and might still be upset. But that will change. At the end of the day, we’re family.”
The people around Stacey murmured their admiration for her kindness and wisdom. To them, Stacey seemed to have a stronger connection with Bianca than with her own child.
It was as if the argument at the engagement party had disappeared completely.
Bianca had to stop herself from smiling. It was interesting how even the upper class liked to pretend everything was perfect.
But Bianca couldn’t shake the feeling that Stacey’s warmth hid a hidden agenda for wanting her at the party.
She was curious about what Stacey might be planning.
In the midst of it all, Peter approached, wearing a brilliantly crafted suit.
He looked at Bianca, a hint of the anger from their last argument still visible in his eyes.
But with everyone watching, he stayed composed and stood next to Bianca, casually saying, “Good to see you here.”
Bianca forced a smile, turned away, and started to walk off, making Peter look awkward. Just as Peter was getting impatient, Stacey’s voice broke through the chatter, excitedly announcing, “Ashley’s here!”
At that, Bianca stopped in her tracks and saw Ashley not too far away. Ashley looked stunning in a flowing white lace dress, her skin glowing in the light. She was holding onto Joshua’s arm, her smile bright.
“Bianca, there you are.” Ashley walked up to Bianca, her eyebrows raised triumphantly. “This is my boyfriend, Joshua Reed, the vice president of Golden Gate Films.”
A murmur went through the crowd, and heads turned at the mention of Golden Gate Films.
“Golden Gate Films? That’s the biggest film company in Edenfield, right? They say it’s worth over ten billion. They’re behind a bunch of hit movies and shows.”
These people hadn’t seen much. They were just small business owners. To them, Golden Gate Films seemed like a distant dream.
“Isn’t Golden Gate Films part of the Reed Group?”
“Are you referring to the Reed family, one of the top four elite families?”
The revelation elicited a gasp from the crowd. They looked at Joshua not just with surprise but with admiration. To them, the top four elite families controlled the city. They were untouchable.
Now, a member of the Reed family was Ashley’s boyfriend. This greatly elevated the Scott family’s status.
With Joshua’s support, the Scott family wasn’t going to face financial trouble anytime soon.
Suddenly, Ashley and Joshua became the center of attention, receiving compliments and admiration.
“Bianca, didn’t you bring your boyfriend?” Ashley asked, her smile daring.
Ashley’s words sparked a memory for those nearby.
“Oh yeah, isn’t Bianca engaged? Why didn’t she bring her fiance?”
“I remember her fiance seemed wealthy. Probably from a well-to-do family.”
“The Scott family’s daughters are marrying into wealthy families. They have a promising future ahead.”