Once Paige was gone, Blake turned to Bianca and apologized, “Sorry about that. She’s getting older and loves playing matchmaker. Please don’t take it personally.”
“I understand,” Bianca replied with a sympathetic smile. It was typical of women like Paige to enjoy matchmaking.
At that moment, Blake, tall and strong, leaned forward slightly. He extended his right hand toward Bianca invitingly, offering her a warm smile.
“Would you like to join me for a dance?”
Bianca watched as many guests danced on the lawn to the enchanting music.
Dancing wasn’t exactly her cup of tea. As she was about to decline, an unexpected push from behind caused her to stumble right into Blake, who caught her hands just in time.
Looking up, she found herself gazing into Blake’s warm and expressive eyes.
“Bianca, enjoy the evening. It’s not just about the food,” Sophia encouraged her with a smile, clearly understanding Paige’s matchmaking intentions.
Sophia saw a potential good relationship if Bianca and Blake were to be together, and she hoped Bianca would be open to the idea.
With a resigned expression, Bianca glanced back at Sophia. Declining Blake’s invitation seemed impossible, given the circumstances. Accepting a dance at a party was just a common courtesy among friends.
Thus, Bianca found herself being led by Blake onto the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Sophia lounged in her chair, leisurely enjoying a slice of watermelon. She observed Bianca dancing with a look of contentment on her face.
Suddenly, Sophia’s view was obscured by a shadow.
A tall figure had appeared, blocking her sight.
Sophia’s expression shifted to surprise as she looked up. Her eyes widened in recognition.
“Sophia, it’s been a while,” Michael greeted, his gaze softening as he looked at the elegant woman in white.
Sophia met Michael’s eyes and replied, “Mr. Hayes, indeed, it has been quite some time.”
“Since everyone’s dancing, how about a dance with me too?” Michael offered his hand to Sophia, who was seated, and he was wearing a slight smile.
But Sophia sensed trouble behind that smile.
She casually shrugged, declining, “Sorry, not in the mood to dance. Maybe ask someone else, Mr. Hayes.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I remember you used to love dancing.”
Sophia blinked at him, her lashes fluttering. “People change, you know.”
“It’s been five years since we last saw each other. Don’t you have anything to say?” Michael asked, recalling when Sophia used to be interested in him. Now, she seemed distant and unfamiliar.
With a faint smile, Sophia responded, “Didn’t we say everything we needed to five years ago?”
After saying this, Sophia stood up from her chair. As she turned to leave, Michael quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Sophia, whatever has happened with Gabriel, if only I knew…”
“What would change if you knew?” Sophia replied, her voice cold and distant, not facing him. “Let’s not forget, you’re the reason my life turned out this way. You’re the one who ruined it.”
As Sophia pulled her wrist away, she turned her head aside. “Michael Hayes, please don’t provoke me. I don’t want to end up hating you.”
Michael stood there, struck by her words, watching her walk away.
He remembered when he was a child, his mother brought home four-year-old Sophia.
Back then, Sophia was a shy girl peeking out from behind his mother.
Sophia had been a maid in the Hayes family household since she was young, looking after Michael.
Her smile had been a warm and radiant light in his otherwise dark life.
But everything changed when Michael turned eighteen.
On his birthday that year, he got drunk with his friends. When he returned home, he couldn’t resist embracing Sophia. She was gentle and compliant, always yielding to him. She allowed his caresses and kisses on her inviting lips as they ended up on the plush cashmere carpet.
But before they could proceed further, they were interrupted by his mother, who had just returned.
That incident resulted in Sophia being expelled from the Hayes residence, and Michael subsequently discovered a secret about her.
Sophia’s life took a turn when she was scouted and soon skyrocketed to fame in the entertainment industry.
From the shadows, Michael quietly arranged everything for Sophia. He ensured she had a top-notch team and access to the best resources, meticulously overseeing every aspect of her career. Until that fateful day…
***
Michael found himself at the dining table in the banquet hall, quickly drinking several cocktails. His gaze roamed, searching for Sophia among the crowd, until he noticed a couple dancing on the floor.
It was Bianca and Blake.
In a vibrant pink dress, Bianca exuded energy and charm as she danced with Blake. Her arms were around his shoulders, and he held her waist, their movements graceful and drawing admiring glances from onlookers.
Unintentionally, they captivated everyone’s attention.
Engrossed in conversation with her friends, Paige nodded approvingly and praised Bianca. “I’m certain of it. Bianca and Blake are a perfect match. She’ll definitely be his wife. Just you guys wait; their wedding will be spectacular.”
“You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Lopez. Miss Scott is stunning and poised; she’s truly remarkable tonight.”
As the ladies showered Bianca with compliments, Paige’s joy grew deeper. Her eyes gleamed with fondness whenever she glanced at Bianca.
Michael watched Bianca closely, seeing her as a multifaceted woman. With Dave away, Bianca appeared to be forming a close bond with Paige’s godson, Blake. Michael speculated that if Dave didn’t return soon, Bianca might end up marrying someone else.
When the dance ended, the crowd on the floor dispersed.
Michael then took out his phone to call Dave.
Meanwhile, in Mubluosia,
Dave was deeply involved in important negotiations with a top technology firm. This project was vital for Phoenix Alliance Group’s plans for the rest of the year, and there was no margin for mistakes.
The chairman of the tech company, a well-known business leader in Mubluosia, ranked among the top ten billionaires according to Forbes. He was widely recognized in financial circles as one of the most influential entrepreneurs worldwide.
He stood beside Dave, leaning forward slightly as he enthusiastically discussed his company’s recent achievements.
Dave’s secretary, holding a tablet, carefully documented their entire conversation.
Behind them, several staff members, dressed formally, followed closely, maintaining a professional demeanor.
As they turned the corner of the glass walkway, Dave’s phone rang.
He took it out and saw it was a call from Michael.
“Should we pause for a moment, Mr. Evans?” the tech company’s chairman cautiously asked when he saw Dave’s phone ringing.
Dave promptly ended the call and replied to the chairman in a neutral tone, “No, let’s continue with our discussion.”