He stared at her side view for a few more seconds before quietly slipping away.
"Lina!" Rienne waved to Angelina as she approached her.
Even before Rienne got close, Angelina could tell she was in a bad mood... and she was right. When the Balloria family arrived, Rienne expected a grand welcome. But they were barely noticed. Everybody was too busy buttering up to Chase and Evelina.
"Hmph! Do they think my family is inferior to the Casspan family!?" As soon as Rienne was standing beside Angelina, she started complaining.
Seeing Rienne's lively spirit again, Angelina felt slightly better. She shifted her gaze away from the 'perfect couple', to face Rienne.
"Why are you standing in the corner like some outcast, Lina? Why aren't you with lady Alice or lady Arianna?" Rienne asked.
Angelina remained silent for a few seconds before chuckling. 'This girl...does she not care if anyone hears her speak so harshly...?' Angelina thought.
"I just wanted to be as far away as possible from...them" Angelina replied while smiling.
"You mean... marquess Casspan's son and the b*tch? Honestly... I would do the same." Rienne smirked and nodded. She looked at the couple that was being completely surrounded and sneered. She felt pity for the young that will have to tolerate his wife 'secretly' flirting with other men.
"Let's go. The other's are probably wondering where we are." Angelina stated as she took the red haired lady's hand, to look for their friends.
Luckily Alice, Arianna, and the others were not gathered at the center of the ballroom. Angelina sighed a breath of relief. She was grateful that she did not have to endure listening to praises people were drowning Chase and Evelina in.
Their group stood slightly at the center, but far enough that Angelina could ignore Evelina's presence.
"Lina, there you are! I was wondering where you went." Alice was the first to notice them. She opened her arms and hugged Angelina.
Angelina thought she was just being clingy again so she hugged back. Due to their position, Angelina was unable to see the smug, victory smile Alice was shooting Rienne.
"........" Rienne pouted and glared at Alice.
Alice responded by acting scared and hiding herself deeper in Angelina's embrace.
Rienne felt like she was losing braincells. She never expected that one day, she would be teased by the shy and meek lady Alice.
'Good! Truly amazing indeed! You dare bully me Alice! I won't let you off next time!' Rienne exclaimed in her heart. She would definetly win next time!
*********************
"Congratulations sir Chase and lady Evelina!"
"You two are such a wonderful couple! Truly a matchmade in heaven!"
"Lady Evelina, you look so beautiful today."
"Young master is so blessed to have lady Evelina as your future wife!" The nobles praised the two for so long, even Evelina is finding a hard time to keep up her smile.
"Ahaha... Thank you everyone!" Evelina giggled and thanked everyone. Her face beamed with light. Once she smiled, it's as if the sun had risen, and the flowers have bloomed. Everyone couldn't help but sigh in awe of her beauty.
Chase merely smiled and thanked everyone. Sometimes he couldn't stop himself from stealing a few glances of the smiling silver haired lady, standing with a group of noble ladies. She was giving off a cold, elegant, and sophisticated aura.
He was unaware of this, but he was slightly saddened that she didn't cast him a glance.
However, from the corner of his eye, he could see his mother silently glaring at them disapprovingly. He knew she didn't like Evelina, in fact, she didn't like Evelina in their past life either.
He quietly sighed and continued to entertain their guest. The only thing he can do now is endure and try not to fall into Evelina's schemes and traps.
*********************
Standing alone near the buffet table, marchioness Casspan sighed. She didn't like Evelina at all. Evelina wasn't the ideal daughter in-law she hoped for her son. She wanted someone who is disciplined, clever, and quick witted to be the future marchioness. Not someone 'innocent', 'cute', and 'ignorant'.
She thought Angelina was good candidate. Angelina possessed the characteristics of the daughter in-law she wanted. Such a shame that they ended up with Evelina instead.
"Greeting your grace, marchioness Casspan" Angelina respectfully greeted her.
The marchioness turned her head to the side and looked at the bowing lady beside her.
"Lady Angelina, it's been a while. How is your health? The last time i saw you was when the Aurabella family's son..." the marchioness stopped herself from continuing.
"i have been doing much better, your grace. Thank you for the concern." Angelina smiled politely and straightened her back.
"That's good." the marchioness chuckled. They chatted for a few more seconds before, someone 'intruded'.
"This one greets the marchioness and lady Angelina." they turned to look at the man behind them and immediately identified the man.
"Young master Christopher." the marchioness greeted him. She was not unfamiliar with him. In fact, she saw him grow up from a troublemaking child to the young he is today.
"..." Angelina stared at her past 'older brother' before greeting him in a respectful manner.
She had always thought of him as the perfect older brother. Perhaps it's due to biasness or her past naivete.
Only know she realized how flawed her 'perfect brother' is. She always thought he was a gentlemen. He helped her a lot, taught her, and accompanied her.
But now...the 'gentlemen' turned into a creep and a pervert!
Angelina would be lying if she said she didn't notice the 'looks' he gave her. She really wanted to slap that disgusting look of his face!
She never thought she'd ever think of doing this to her 'brother'. But it seems she had changed.
Christopher had some small talk with the marchioness before she had to leave.
Seeing that the marchioness is no longer here, Angelina wanted to leave as well. But before she could, Christopher grabbed her wrist and asked,
"Why are you in such a rush, little beauty?"
"...!?" Angelina's body turned stiff. She had never felt so disgusted before! Not even Evelina's hugs made her feel as disgusted as she is at this moment!
She felt her stomach turn and her face became the evidence of her disgust.
Any other man, seeing her look annoyed and disgusted, would've given up and left. But Christopher smirked instead, like he was somehow satisfied and amused.
Angelina was about to slap him with her free hand, but someone suddenly pushed between them, separating them.
"...!?" both Christopher and Angelina were shocked.
"Sir, this lady is clearly disturbed by your presence. Please obediently leave. If not, I'll be forced to chase you off myself!" A young possessing crow black hair and sapphire eyes, 'kindly' warned.
Christopher, surprisingly, backed off and left. It seems the young man was successful in scaring him off.
Without saying a word, Charles gently held Angelina's hand and led her outside.
**********************
The Casspan family garden looked quite different than the last time Angelina came here. The autumn leaves had turned to it's original green color, and the night sky was now bright blue.
"......." Charles stopped walking and looked back at the confused lady. He didn't even know why he led her here. He just couldn't stand seeing other men look at her with eyes filled with impure intentions!
Seeing Angelina confused and clearly waiting for an answer, Charles suddenly felt awkward.
"Um..." Angelina felt very confused. 'Why is he not saying anything...?'
"Did you hear that..." to distract Angelina, Charles came up with something he say. He was about to tell her about this news anyway...so he was somewhat improvising right...?
"Hear what...?" Angelina asked.
"That...the Bailey family's new adopted daughter is going to make her debut soon..." Charles said. He cautiously glanced at her. This news would definitely be shocking and upsetting for her. In fact, he too was shocked when he found out. The Bailey family hid this well.
They adopted their new daughter just two years ago. The new miss of the Bailey family is a young girl named Harper Julia Bailey. According to the description his subordinates gave, Harper was beautiful lady with honey brown hair and deep blue eyes.
"......" Hearing such shocking news out of nowhere, Angelina's mind went blank. This news was a stab to her.
Were...
Were they replacing her...?