...
Before the ball officially began, Joseph took the initiative to approach Miss Grant.
She stood in a corner of the garden, like a forgotten ornament.
Her dress was somewhat outdated, cinched at the waist but unable to conceal her corpulent figure. Her plump fingers nervously twirled a handkerchief, and her eyes avoided the scrutinizing gaze of Joseph.
She hated such occasions.
She knew she was too fat, too timid, too lacking in the "noble demeanor."
She understood that the only reason she was invited was because the "name of the Grant Family" still held weight, not because of her personally.
"Miss Grant, it's a pleasure to meet you." Joseph approached with a smile.
His tone was as gentle and polite as ever, as if she were the protagonist of the ball.
She was briefly stunned, responding in a low voice, somewhat flattered: "…Hello."
No one had ever spoken to her so proactively, at least not with respect.
