Chapter 80: Anne’s beauty

Words : 1177 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 80: Anne’s beauty Augustine got ready quickly. He was wearing a suit of a deep shade of green. He stood in the hall, pulling his crisp white sleeves out slightly and adjusting his diamond cufflinks. His Rolax gleamed under the bright light as he checked the time. In the meantime, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. He turned his head and looked up, only to see Anne coming down. His heart thumped loudly—and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. His eyes widened, admiration flashing across his sharp features. He had seen beautiful women draped in designer gowns at elite parties, but none had ever left him as mesmerized as Anne did at that moment. His gaze roamed over her, taking in the way the dress sculpted her figure, how it highlighted every soft curve and swayed elegantly with her movements. The gown was a masterpiece—elegant yet seductive. The off-shoulder design leaves her delicate collarbones exposed. The bodice was perfectly sculpted, accentuating the gentle slope of her waist before flowing down in a graceful. The subtle shimmer in the fabric caught the light, making her look even more breathtaking. For a man who prided himself on self-control, Augustine found himself struggling. His fingers twitched, itching to reach for her. His jaw clenched slightly as he swallowed hard, unable to tear his gaze away. With each step she took toward him, his heart raced wildly. Anne stood in front of him. Her cheeks flushed as she met his intense gaze. She had never seen him look at her quite like this before—his usually composed expression shattered by a mixture of admiration and desire. "Is it okay?" she asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious under his heated gaze. "You..." His voice barely came out of his mouth. He cleared his throat and tried again. "You look stunning." Augustine stepped closer in a daze, his fingers grazing her chin as he tilted her face up to meet his. "It’s perfect," he murmured. "You are perfect." Augustine felt his restraint slipping the moment his lips met hers. The kiss was slow, deep, and full of unspoken longing. He wanted more—needed more. For a fleeting second, the world outside meant nothing to him. The party, the mayor, the social obligations—all faded into insignificance. All that mattered was the warmth of Anne in his arms, the way her soft lips trembled against his, and the intoxicating scent of her skin. He ached to pull her closer, to lose himself in her completely. But before he could drown in his desire, Anne gently pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss. "Aren’t you late for the party?" she asked breathlessly, her gaze stubbornly avoiding his. A deep blush spread across her cheeks, making her look even more alluring. Augustine let out a low, throaty chuckle, his smoldering gaze locked on her flushed face. "I was thinking of not attending it," he murmured with intent. Anne’s stomach fluttered at the weight of his words. She knew exactly what he meant, and it made her pulse race. "Didn’t you say this party was important to you?" she countered. He hummed, nodding lazily. "It is important, but—" he leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered seductively, "I can cancel it if you want." A delicious shiver ran down Anne’s spine. She bit her lower lip, fighting the temptation to surrender to the heat in his eyes. Instead, she placed her hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him away. "Control yourself. We shouldn’t be late for the party. Let’s go." Without waiting for his response, she turned and swiftly stepped out of the house, hiding the small, secret smile that played on her lips. Augustine exhaled a laugh, rubbing the back of his head as he followed after her, already counting the hours until the night would be over—and they’d be alone again. At the party... The grand ballroom was alive with soft music and the low hum of conversation. By the time Augustine and Anne arrived, the venue was already teeming with elegantly dressed guests sipping champagne and exchanging pleasantries. The atmosphere was sophisticated, yet Anne couldn’t shake the slight unease curling in her chest. At the entrance, Gustave was already waiting for them. As soon as he spotted them, he straightened and greeted them with a respectful bow. "Sir, Madam." Anne stiffened slightly. The memory of their earlier heated conversation lingered in her mind. Offering him a stiff, polite smile, she averted her gaze and turned aside, keeping a cool distance. Gustave, on the other hand, felt the weight of her cold demeanor. It only deepened his regret. Though he wished to find the right moment to apologize, now was not the time. There were more pressing matters to address. Leaning in slightly toward Augustine, he murmured, "The mayor’s secretary has already asked me several times about you. The mayor has been waiting for you eagerly." Augustine hummed shortly with an unreadable expression, his sharp gaze scanning the room. "Hmm," he hummed nonchalantly. "I’ll go see him now." "He is in the lounge," Gustave added. Augustine gave a curt nod. "Stay with Anne," he instructed. "Don’t leave her alone." He turned to Anne. "I am going to meet some people. Stay here and wait for me." She nodded, and he flashed her a reassuring smile before striding purposefully into the crowd. Anne exhaled quietly, her fingers tightening around her clutch as she watched Augustine disappear into the crowd. A wave of unease settled over her as she took in the opulence surrounding her—the elegantly dressed guests engaged in effortless conversation, the air thick with sophistication and wealth. She had never been to such an elite gathering before, and standing amidst these powerful figures, she felt out of place. Her fingers fidgeted unconsciously. Everyone seemed to belong here, moving gracefully through the room as if they had been born into this world. But Anne? She wasn’t sure how to carry herself in such an environment. Gustave, who had been standing beside her in silence, shifted slightly. He hesitated, his lips parting as if he wanted to speak but was unsure of how to begin. Finally, gathering his courage, he murmured, "I am sorry." His voice was low, filled with remorse. Anne blinked, her attention snapping to him. The unexpected apology took her by surprise. "I was wrong," he continued, keeping his gaze lowered. "I shouldn’t have said those things." Anne narrowed her eyes, studying him carefully. The same man who had spoken so harshly to her earlier, who had humiliated her and accused her without a second thought, now stood before her with his head bowed, his arrogance gone. Instead, there was humility in his posture, a quiet regret in his tone. What had caused such a drastic change? Before she could fully process his shift in demeanor, his next words left her even more stunned. "I am not asking for your forgiveness. I want you to punish me for my audacity. Whatever punishment you choose, I will accept it without question."

Chapter 80: Anne’s beauty

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