Chapter 170: The party night

Words : 1169 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 170: The party night Anne’s cheeks flushed at the boldness, especially with a dozen women still bustling around them. She gave him a light jab in the stomach, trying not to smile too much. Anne turned to the rows of dresses again, her fingers trailing along hangers draped with couture—every piece more stunning than the last. Some were dramatic, with plunging backs and daring slits; others were demure, ethereal, flowing like smoke. But the sapphire blue gown still called to her. She reached for it again. It was a floor-length gown. The bodice was delicate, with off-the-shoulder sleeves that folded elegantly over the arms. Subtle silver embroidery traced the neckline, like stardust scattered along the fabric. The skirt flowed in gentle waves, light as air, with a soft train that added just the right amount of drama. Anne’s fingers brushed the fabric. Immediately, she thought of the blue diamond necklace Augustine had purchased from the auction. She hadn’t worn it yet. But this dress matched it perfectly. "Do you like it?" Agustine asked in a hushed tone, leaning over to her from behind. Anne nodded. "Yes, it’s color matches the blue diamond necklace you bought me." "Hmm?" He raised an eyebrow, amazed and curious. "You think so?" "Yes," Anne replied with a beaming smile. "I’ll take this." "Okay." He nodded. "Why don’t you try it first?" "Alright, I’ll try it." Anne carried the gown carefully into her room. She laid it across the bed for a moment, just to look at it, amazed at how beautiful it looked. She dressed slowly, slipping into the cool silk. The gown hugged her perfectly as if it had been made with her in mind. The bodice sculpted her shape, and the skirt flowed with a weightless grace. When she turned to check herself in the mirror, her breath hitched again. She turned to the mirror and paused. The woman staring back looked poised, radiant, different. Like a version of herself she hadn’t fully seen until now. Behind her, Augustine’s reflection appeared in the mirror. He stood close, his eyes fixed on her, the hint of a smile pulling at his lips. "You look beautiful," he said quietly. Anne’s gaze met his in the mirror, and she smiled. "It fits me perfectly. Did you have it custom-made?" "This time, I couldn’t do that. But the wedding gown will be designed exactly the way you want. I promise." At the word wedding, Anne’s cheeks flushed pink. She lowered her eyes, teeth catching her bottom lip. Augustine turned her toward him, making her meet his gaze. "I’m going to hold that wedding soon." Then he leaned down, and his lips met hers. The party night... The grand ballroom of the banquet hall was already full when Anne and Augustine arrived. Soft classical music played from a live string quartet tucked beneath a marble archway. It was a private party – only close friends and relatives were invited. The evening had been arranged to celebrate the engagement of Denis and Tania. Guests congratulated the couple with polished smiles and polite toasts. But the atmosphere shifted when Augustine and Anne strode toward the dais. Whispers started immediately, eager to know about the woman beside Augustine. Some who knew Anne used to be Denis’s secretary were confused as to why she was with Augustine, and those who didn’t know her speculated she might be Augustine’s girlfriend. Among the elite guests, Nathan was also there across the hall. He was shocked, too, to see Anne with Augustine at the party. Megan had told him many bad things about Anne, but at that moment, this was not what he was thinking. What stole his breath was Anne’s striking similarity to his mother. When he met her first time, he had that feeling that she could be his long-lost sister. But tonight, that doubt grew stronger. He wanted to confirm if she was really his biological sister. "What is she doing here?" Megan grumbled, her mouth twisting in resentment and her grip on her wine glass tightening. "Why did Augustine bring her to the party?" It was supposed to be Denis and Tania’s engagement party, a private event, where only close friends and relatives were invited. Why would Augustine bring an outsider like Anne? "Why are the elders of the Beaumont family allowing Augustine to bring her?" she continued to whine. "Daddy," she tugged at her father’s arm, "you should interject and talk to Grandpa Dimitri. Remind him that I am Augustine’s future wife." Her words pulled Nathan out of his reverie. But he was too consumed with his own suspicions and restlessness. He simply slipped aside, taking a sip of his drink. Oliver Granet scowled at her, displeased. "Can you stop whining?" he hissed. "I don’t want any trouble with the Beaumonts. Remember one thing, the Beaumonts never promised the marriage. They just mentioned once that if we are interested in the marriage proposal between you and Augustine. But after that, no confirmation came from their side. I can’t question Mr. Dimitri." He also strode away, leaving Megan behind. In reality, Dimitri had already told him of Augustine’s marriage to Anne. Oliver had been furious at first, but Dimitri had made it clear that he wouldn’t force Augustine. The threat was clear in his tone. ’Don’t stretch this matter. I’ll not leave Augustine’s side this time.’ Those words still echoed in his ears. Oliver wouldn’t think about opposing the Beaumonts and creating trouble for himself and his family. But he had never thought Megan would be obsessed with Augustine. He took a long sip of his wine, his eyes narrowing on Augustine and Anne. The atmosphere suddenly changed when Dimitri stepped up to the dais. He raised a hand, commanding silence without a word. The music died down. Conversations halted. All eyes turned toward the old man. "Tonight is not only a celebration of Denis and Tania," Dimitri began, "but also a moment for another important announcement." He gestured to Augustine, who stood by the dais with Anne. "My grandson has returned to us after ten years abroad. Augustine, my younger son’s only child." Gasps rippled through the room. Guests whispered with each other. They clearly remembered about Gervis, an illegitimate child born to a mistress, raised in the shadows, then a tragic accident had killed him ten years ago. And now... Gervis’s son, Augustine, was here. "Augustine, come here," Dimitri called. Augustine stepped forward, tall and composed, his presence effortlessly commanding. At his side, Anne looked gorgeous in her blue gown. Her arm looped through his, her posture poised. "And," Dimitri continued, "he is not returning alone. He comes home with a wife. Anne." The murmuring surged louder this time—curiosity, shock, envy. Some women glanced between Anne and Augustine with narrowed eyes. How had she ended up with him? In the corner of the room, Megan stood frozen, her ears ringing. "Has this old man gone mad?" she mused aloud. "He is calling Anne Augustine’s wife!"

Chapter 170: The party night

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