The Second Young Master of the Gu Family sauntered over casually with his hands tucked nonchalantly in the pockets of his distressed denim jeans. A bold graphic t-shirt clung to his frame, clashing against the banquet filled with formal suits and fancy gowns.
He was deliberate and unbothered about looking out of place.
"You!" James Gu raised his voice. "I had a tailored suit sent to you early in the morning. What is this garbage you're wearing?"
Steven Gu lazily shrugged his shoulder and placed his hand around Ellie shoulder, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
"Hey, Chubby," he teased.
"Get your hand off my shoulder, Steven," Ellie expressed, her face twisting in irritation.
He ignored her words and drfited his gaze on to Emma. "Emma, you don't mind if I borrow her, right? Both of you are always stuck at the hips anyways."
Before Emma could approve, Ellie was dragged away by Steven forcefully despite her words of protests and struggles.
James sighed, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Two of them are lively as always."
Emma's eyes followed the pair thoughtfully as their silhouettes slipped deeper into the crowd.
Steven lost his life young in her previous life after protecting Ellie from a car accident. Although Steven always teased Ellie, Emma could see his sincere love and affection towards her.
Whenever she needed help, Steven was always there for her, and even when she stepped foot in her most desperate times, Steven stayed as an umbrella on her.
Only after his death did Ellie recognize his feelings for her, leaving her with endless grief and regret.
Emma hoped they would have a different ending in this life.
After that, the conversation between the adults carried on. Much of the political and financial jargons went over her head, and she made mental points to ask her father later when she went home.
A while later, she could feel Vanessa tug at her dress.
Emma had already achieved her purpose of letting Marcus Liu get acquainted with James Gu. This was the reason why she agreed to let Marcus and Vanessa in.
Although James gave face to Marcus due to her introducing him, it was far from gaining acknowledgment from him. In her previous life, Marcus gained the trust of James and her father, took advantage of them, and left their business in destitute.
If Emma had ignored Vanessa's request, the backer behind Marcus would seek another way, and then, the circumstances would be very different from her previous life.
Emma subtly nodded and followed Vanessa up the grand staircase to the second floor.
Over there, all the children of the country's wealthy circle gathered, making the atmosphere wilder. They lounged on velvet sofas, engaged in reckless drinking and playing games, and committed mischief they would laugh about later as their family cleaned the mess left behind.
Before, Emma sat at the centre of the circle, but now these immature hangouts bored her, bringing about a hollow sense of disdain.
Vanessa pushed the wide oak door open, making way for Emma. A chorus of voices followed.
"You're finally here, Emma."
"We all have been waiting for you!"
"As expected, you look gorgeous as always! Is that Dior's unreleased Paris collection?"
The praises drowned her.
All the sounds were blurred in her ear. Emma's hand clenched into a tight fist, her nails digging in her palms. She used the pain to keep her sanity from dissolving.
Each of these faces brought her nausea. The same mouths that now showered her with praise trampled on her. She recalled each and every one of them when they mocked and gloated over her misfortune, treating her like a circus show.
Her eyes burned in anger, but she closed her eyelids, suppressing her rising emotions.
The silver heels clicked against the marbled tiles when she took a step forward. Her eyes then widened when she noticed the figure kneeling on the ground with alcohol staining his shirt and hair matted to his forehead.
It was Daniel.
What was he doing here?
She did bring him along as her partner to the celebration banquet in her previous life. But this time, she made no contact with him.
How come he was here then?
A memory from her past life pushed its away into her mind.
Emma in her glamorous dress holding the arm of finely suited up Daniel made a compatible and beautiful couple. They were met with eyes on them the moment they stepped into the banquet hall.
"Don't keep that sullen face on, alright?" Emma asked, tilting head to look at Daniel. "Everyone will think you are upset to be here with me."
Daniel's expression had remained neutral, eyes distant. "Is that another one of your demands?"
Emma pouted. "Is it that bad to be here with me? Look, everyone is envious of you. This is a direct ticket to the high society. It will help you a lot."
Daniel silently stared at her for few seconds.
"Then, I should be thankful to you?" His voice was flat.
Emma pridefully raised her chin.
"As a good girlfriend, this is what I should do." Then, spotting her father, she had tugged Daniel forward. "There is my dad! I will introduce you to him!"
Following that, she brought Daniel over to her dad. "Dad, this is Daniel, my boyfriend! Handsome, right?"
Charles's scrutinizing gaze fell on Daniel, and Daniel calmly said, "It's nice to meet you, Uncle Lin."
"Daniel, it's finally good to meet you. My daughter told me a lot about you. She must have given you troubles. Thank you for bearing with her," Charles voiced out.