NOVEL NEXT Chapter 680: Arwen would lose her chance completely.
In the party hall, after making her rounds and greeting everyone, Emily finally stopped in a corner. It was tiring, but to Emily, right now, more than tiring, all of this was frustrating.
This evening, this party, these guests —everything was for her.
Yet not a single person looked at her the way they should. She was meant to shine tonight, but their focus and attention were drawn to one woman.
Arwen.
And that was unbearably frustrating.
Emily's fingers curled into fists as her gaze locked on Arwen, who stood there with an easy, almost serene expression.
While she had to make an effort to approach and introduce herself to everyone, Arwen simply stood in one spot, and people came to her on their own —eager to start a conversation, eager to be in her presence.
Why don't they treat them the same?
Wasn't this party meant for her? Weren't they all here to celebrate her important evening? Wasn't she going to be the heiress of the Quinn family?
Then, why the hell were they all still flocking around her?
"Why?" Not realizing, she almost asked it aloud.
But fortunately, she stood far in the corner to get noticed. Her voice was barely heard by anyone except Karen, who was close to her.
When she raised her brow at her, Emily quickly apologized. "I … I am sorry. I didn't mean to speak that loud."
Karen shook her head before shifting her eyes to look at Arwen. Her eyes held the sparks of admiration that weren't very hard to notice.
"She never needed to be a rich heiress to grab sub attention," Karen said, and Emily looked at her with a frown.
However, that small frown didn't stop Karen from speaking the truth. "From the early years, Arwen was more recognized by her own merits than as the rich family heiress. From school to university, she had set the standards that were not easy to match. And today, after becoming the new leader of Davies International, she has only raised the standards. So, of course, people would surround her." She slowly turned to meet Emily's eyes. "After all, they all know the benefit that would come from being around her."
Emily's fingers only tightened. "But wasn't this evening meant for me?"
Karen smiled and shook her head. "The evening is still yours. The people are here to celebrate it for you. But even so, that wouldn't make them flock around you."
Emily wanted them to flock around her. She wanted them to surround her the same way they were surrounding Arwen. But …
"Anyway, Mrs. Quinn has asked me to take you around and introduce you to everyone," Karen said, interrupting her thoughts. "I have done that. Now, you just have to wait for Mrs. Quinn to make the announcement. Once that's also done, you will call the evening successfully complete."
Yes. This evening will be successfully complete.
So, what if Arwen took the attention that was meant for her? At the end of the day, she would be the heiress, and Arwen would lose her chance completely.
That deduction calmed Emily down, and she took a deep breath before nodding.
Karen looked around and then checked the time on her watch. "Will it be fine if I leave you alone for a bit? I need to use the restroom."
"Oh, you don't have to ask. I would be perfectly fine alone." Emily replied.
Even though she assured her like that, Karen felt hesitant. But since it was an urgent call, she just explained and said, "Just be here and keep yourself calm. Even though you think no one is looking at you, people are judging you."
"Are you scared that I would embarrass myself?" Emily felt offended. If Karen hadn't been someone Catrin had sent, she wouldn't have minded letting her know who she was, daring to mess with.
Karen looked at her and then shook her head. "No, I didn't mean that. It's just that Mrs. Quin has asked me to watch over you. I am —"
"I will be fine on my own. You can go, … Karen," Emily cut her off, dismissing her as if she had the authority.
Karen's brows furrowed a little, but she didn't say anything. Just looking at her one time, she turned and walked away. She wasn't worried that Emily would embarrass herself; she was scared that, in her irritation, she would do something that would only make the evening a disaster.
After all, even though she hasn't made it obvious, all this while standing beside her, Karen could see the envy burning in her gaze for Arwen. And that was one of the reasons why she tried to explain it to her.
But she knew her sense barely made any sense to Emily.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the hall, Arwen stood with a flute of champagne. After being there for a while, she wanted to leave, but the people kept on approaching her and holding her back with conversation.
And she would give them a polite smile, offering them a few words in reciprocation.
"Sure, Mr. Willis, I will definitely consider it when the time comes," she said, politely, accepting the toast from the middle-aged man.
The man smiled and then politely left.
"Madam," Mia spoke from the side, "Although Mr. Willis was very sincere in his offer, right now, I don't feel his intention is as sincere as his offer. We need to be careful around him."
Arwen smiled before shaking her head. "Neither his offer nor his intention was sincere. He just tried to trick us with the numbers."
Mia blinked. "But ma'am, you just said you would consider his offer when the time comes."
Arwen hummed. "Yes, I said that. But considering something doesn't mean agreeing to it. When the time comes, I will definitely consider it, but I will only choose what's best."
"Ma'am, you tricked him back," Mia held back a chuckle. "I almost thought that you agreed to his proposal."
"How can that be?" Arwen smiled, and just then her phone beeped with a text.
She almost knew who might have texted her at this time, but before she could take a look at her phone, a voice halted her.
"Arwen."