"By the way, Leon called," Mrs. Ainsworth said. "He's taking you to a banquet later, and your dress will be delivered shortly. Your sister and brother-in-law are going too, to spend some time together. It's perfect; the four of you can ride in the same car."
"I don't want to go to a place like that. It's boring."
Mrs. Ainsworth shot her a glare. "This girl... What do you mean, 'boring'? Go and broaden your horizons. You're graduating in a year. If you don't understand the ways of the world, how are you going to make it in society?"
"Fine, I'll go. I'm going upstairs to take a shower. Just bring the dress up to me when it arrives." She headed back upstairs.
She went into the bathroom and took a hot shower. After getting out, she put on her dress and applied some light makeup before finally heading downstairs.
Almost everyone was in the living room—her older brother, her second sister, her nominal brother-in-law, her fiancé, and her parents.
Tonight, Leon Lynch wore a white suit that complemented her dress. The outfit only served to accentuate his charming eyes.
Quentin Grant was in his usual black suit with a sky-blue shirt underneath. Her second sister was also wearing a black evening gown.
Leon Lynch held out a hand and gave her a flamboyant smile. The corner of Nora Ainsworth's mouth twitched, but not wanting to cause a scene, she placed her hand in his. He gripped it tightly and led her out of the living room.
They sat in the front, and Quentin Grant and Sharon Ainsworth sat in the back.
The car drove smoothly to the banquet venue.
The arrival of the four of them at an event like this was bound to attract attention.
"Nora!"
Nora Ainsworth looked up to see her old friend, Maeve Sutton. Maeve was wearing a golden gown with a beautiful bow at the waist.
'It's just that ever since the engagement to Leon Lynch, Maeve Sutton had vanished as if she'd dropped off the face of the earth. Nora had looked everywhere for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Nora knew Maeve liked Leon and had wanted to find a chance to explain the situation clearly, but she'd never gotten the opportunity.'
"Maeve, where have you been? I went to your house looking for you, but I couldn't find you," Nora Ainsworth said as she walked toward her.
Maeve gave Leon Lynch a long, hard look before turning back to Nora. "Come with me. I have something to say to you."
Nora Ainsworth nodded and followed her to the restroom.
The restroom was empty.
Noticing the look on her face, Nora Ainsworth asked urgently, "Maeve, what's wrong?"
Maeve's eyes were red-rimmed. "Nora, you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"What?"
"You knew perfectly well that I've liked Leon Lynch for years, and yet you're the one marrying him, aren't you?"
"Maeve, this wasn't my choice. My parents arranged it. You have to—"
But Maeve seemed inconsolable, her eyes flashing with envy, jealousy, and resentment. "Don't say another word! Why does it have to be you he marries? My family's background isn't any worse than yours! Why?!"
Nora tried to take her hand, but Maeve snatched it away before she could. "People always say that friendship between women runs deep, but a man is the one thing you never steal! That's a dirty move, Nora! Have you forgotten all our years of friendship? You expect me to just stand there and watch you marry the man I love? How could I possibly bear that?!"
Nora didn't know how to respond. The matter was already set in stone; it wasn't something she could change just by wishing it were different.
She wanted to say something, but she felt that at this point, saying too much would be pointless.
"Maeve, this is already a done deal. I'm sorry. I tried talking to my parents about it, but they won't agree to call off the engagement. Unless the Lynch family initiates it, I can't be the one to break it off."
Tears welled in Maeve's eyes. "'Can't' or 'won't'? Nora, we've been like sisters for so many years. How could you not have known that I've been secretly in love with Leon all this time!"