Nelson stood in the shadows watching everything. She should have been mine. Yet now, he had nothing. He hadn't invited Lillie to dance once since the music started. Lillie felt like everyone was laughing at her. She clenched her fists.
Mrs. Hill, seeing Janelle steal the spotlight, also felt a sour taste in her mouth. Seductress. She truly is a seductress. Clearly she already had a boyfriend, yet she was still leading Jiang Chao on. What did a man like Jiang Chao even see in her?
"Nelson, you and Lillie should dance. No need to stay here with me," Mrs. Hill nudged Nelson.
"Nelson, if you don't want to dance..." Lillie began.
However, Nelson took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. They ended up dancing very close to Erik and Janelle. How wonderful it would be if Janelle were in my arms right now. Nelson thought. He had genuinely liked Janelle. Or perhaps, he still did.
"Nelson, the Research Institute assessment is starting soon. You need to prepare properly," Lillie reminded him. He was her fiancé, after all. She didn't want him to fail.
"Would you not marry me if I couldn't get into the Institute?"
"?" Lillie was genuinely confused by his question. Wasn't she just looking out for him? "What are you thinking? Don't you want to enter the Institute anymore?"
"Maybe directly taking over the Hills Group is more suitable for me," Nelson said, feeling his previous struggles were meaningless.
Lillie looked at him disapprovingly. "Have you told Auntie this?" Mrs. Hill would never agree!
"This is my own life. Why does she have to agree? She's been making all my decisions for me. I live like a puppet. Honestly, this kind of life is really pointless."
Lillie truly couldn't understand. Weren't those their shared goals? Why was he suddenly changing his mind? "Nelson, do you still like Janelle? Is that why you want to give up on the Institute? Because of her?" Why must I always live in Janelle's shadow? It was true before, and it was true now. Wherever Janelle was, people compared them. She hated that feeling. Where am I inferior to Janelle?
Nelson's gaze drifted to the nearby Janelle. Since she arrived at the banquet hall, she hadn't looked at him once. Not a single glance. She had truly let him go. Or maybe, she had never liked him at all, hence her indifference.
"Nelson, we're engaged. Janelle has her own boyfriend now. Can't we just live our own lives well?" Nelson didn't answer. He couldn't control his gaze.
And now, everyone else's gaze was also fixed on Janelle and Erik. It was just an ordinary waltz, yet danced by these two, it became utterly mesmerizing.
"Honestly, Janelle's current man has such intense sexual charisma! I love it."
"Loving it is useless! His eyes are only for Janelle. Didn't you see how he treated that girl who tried to approach him earlier?"
"Handsome and devoted? I like him even more! How wonderful it would be if a man like that liked me!"
"Right! That man is so captivating! Makes you can't help but fantasize."
"Honestly, I used to think Nelson was great too. But next to this man, Nelson seems to lack something."
The heiresses present all wished they were the woman in Erik's arms. The men present all wished they were the one holding Janelle. Truly the number one beauty of Graham City. Her return made all the other beauties in the city seem to fade.
Bruce Aleen had also been watching. First Janelle danced with Jiang Chao, then with Erik. And him? He hadn't even dared to invite her. He was afraid of rejection.
Mr. Aleen, seeing his son like this, shook his head. "If you like her, pursue her boldly. Secret admiration only brings you pain."
"But I'm afraid she doesn't like me. Dad, am I not good enough?" Bruce Aleen, usually so flamboyant, was experiencing self-doubt for the first time.
Mr. Aleen was genuinely surprised. "Bruce Aleen, you are my son. How could you be lacking? As long as you're willing to study properly, I believe you can manage the company well. Once you take over, naturally you'll have more time to spend with Miss Rovella. Feelings develop gradually through interaction."
"Hmm, okay. I'll study hard from now on." Janelle was such an exceptional girl; he truly felt unworthy of her. That's why he felt so dejected.
As soon as the dance ended, Janelle left the dance floor. Her heels ached terribly; she couldn't bear the torment any longer. She'd made her appearance; it was time to say goodbye to Mr. Aleen and leave.
Seeing her approach, Bruce Aleen immediately stood up, looking like an awkward, overgrown boy. Mr. Aleen could only sigh inwardly; his son had never acted like this around any girl before.
"Mr. Aleen, it's getting late. I need to prepare for tomorrow's bidding, so I'll take my leave now," Janelle stated her intention directly.
Mr. Aleen picked up a glass of champagne. "I hope we can ultimately cooperate," he said sincerely, genuinely admiring the young woman.
"I believe we certainly can." Janelle raised her glass and clinked it against his. She took a sip of champagne, then set the glass down. Mr. Aleen and Bruce Aleen personally escorted her out.
The sight stunned everyone in the banquet hall.
"What's going on? That's Mr. Aleen from Imperial Capital! How is he giving Janelle so much face?"
"This bidding is probably a sure thing for the Rovellas now. Are we all just running interference?"
"It's really hard to say! Janelle seems like she's been on a winning streak since she came back. It's unbelievable!"
Mrs. Hill and Lillie naturally heard these comments. Mrs. Hill's face turned extremely ugly. This project she'd prepared for so long... Janelle wanting to snatch it? Impossible!
"Auntie, this project..." Lillie worried. This project wasn't just vital for the Hills; if Janelle succeeded, control of Blue Whale Co., Ltd. would fall into her hands. Then, what would Lillie have left?
"Don't worry. In Graham City, no one can snatch a project from my grasp." Mrs. Hill already had a backup plan.
"I didn't drink. Let me drive you home!" Bruce Aleen offered eagerly, wanting more time with her.
"Yes, Bruce Aleen hasn't been drinking. Give him the chance to take you home," Mr. Aleen chimed in. He knew Janelle wouldn't be interested in his son, but he still hoped Bruce Aleen could learn something from spending time with her.