\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 86 The Crimson Entrance\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was still relatively early in the evening, so Scarlett\u2019s family had not yet returned home. When she departed, only a handful of household staff were present to witness her leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Concerned that her family might worry if they discovered her absence, Scarlett specifically instructed the servants, \u201cIf Nathan inquiries about my whereabouts, please inform him that I have gone to the library to study for my examinations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The servants smiled and nodded obediently, assuring her they would relay the message as directed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment Scarlett stepped through the grand entrance of Theron Manor, her eyes landed on Damian\u2019s car-a rare, sleek Lamborghini that exuded power and audacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was autumn. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm, orange glow across the landscape. Damian stood with his back to the fading light, leaning casually against the driver\u2019s side door with his arms crossed. His trench coat was unfastened, billowing slightly in the gentle breeze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing the crisp sound of her heels on the pavement, he lifted his head. There, framed by the sunset\u2019s radiance, stood Scarlett. The brilliant crimson of her gown made her skin appear almost porcelain in its paleness. Her makeup was immaculate, applied with an artistry that made her look like a movie star gracing a premier red carpet. The overall effect was nothing short of breathtaking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She possessed a presence that was simply impossible to overlook.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian, who typically cultivated an air of detached indifference, made no attempt to conceal his astonishment. His gaze swept over her, filled with open curiosity and frank admiration, thoroughly appreciating the vision she presented.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet his look held a purity of appreciation, devoid of any lecherous undertones.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Feeling slightly self-conscious under his intense scrutiny, Scarlett asked quietly, \u201cIs this look\u2026 not suitable?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian finally pushed himself away from the car and walked over to her, formally offering his arm. \u201cOn the contrary,\u201d he told her, his voice losing its usual flippancy, \u201cit is perfectly suitable. The dress is spectacular, you look\u2026 utterly magnificent, and the makeup is exquisite\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His words tumbled out in an uncharacteristically disjointed manner, a fact he himself seemed to notice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t reply verbally. She simply rested her hand lightly in the crook of his offered arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian used the opportunity to steal another, longer glance at her profile, then his expression turned unexpectedly earnest. \u201cWhat I meant to say, honestly, is that the dress pales in comparison to the woman wearing it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett understood the compliment, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. \u201cThank you,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dressed in his trench coat, Damian exuded a laid-back sophistication. When he wasn\u2019t actively teasing her, he carried the distinct aura of an intelligent, cultured gentleman. His hands were well-shaped, and his features were undeniably handsome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s figure was exceptional. The deep V-neckline of her dress, while elegant, offered a glimpse of cleavage. As Damian\u2019s gaze inadvertently dipped, he caught a view he knew he shouldn\u2019t linger on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:11 Thu, Jan 8 G.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 86 The Crimson Entrance\u00a0<\/p>\n
53\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Acting swiftly, he shrugged off his trench coat and draped it carefully over her shoulders. \u201cThere\u2019s a bit of a chill in the air this evening,\u201d he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. \u201cYou should wear this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett frowned slightly, mumbling under her breath, \u201cBut it\u2019s not actually cold.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite it being autumn, the nights in Rivergate were still relatively mild.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian didn\u2019t engage in a debate. He simply opened the passenger door for her. \u201cPlease, get in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett pulled the borrowed coat a little tighter around herself and moved to enter the car, but paused suddenly. \u201cDamian,\u201d she asked, \u201cwhat exactly is the nature of this event tonight?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian informed her plainly, \u201cIt\u2019s a charity auction. Many of Rivergate\u2019s most influential figures will be in attendance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s frown deepened. \u201cA lot of influential people?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian immediately grasped her concern. \u201cYes,\u201d he confirmed, \u201cVincent will likely be there as well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing Vincent\u2019s name, Scarlett felt an immediate wave of reluctance. \u201cIn that case, I don\u2019t think I should go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian looked at her, his expression firm. \u201cYou gave me your word, Scarlett. Backing out at the last moment isn\u2019t like you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett fell silent. He was right; she had promised.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the end, she slid into the luxurious passenger seat without another word of protest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Upon their arrival at the auction venue, the forecourt was already lined with an impressive array of luxury vehicles. Small clusters of elegantly dressed guests mingled near the entrance, their chatter filling the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Damian\u2019s distinctive Lamborghini purred to a halt, a uniformed valet hurried over to open the driver\u2019s door. \u201cMr. Langley, your designated parking is ready,\u201d the young man said respectfully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d Damian replied with a cool nod as he stepped out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He then circled the car, opened the passenger door himself, and offered his arm once more to Scarlett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett accepted his arm, using her other hand to gracefully gather the hem of her long gown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she emerged from the low-slung sports car, she immediately drew the attention of a group of young women nearby. Seeing the notoriously unattainable Damian He treating her with such old-world gallantry, their eyes filled with a mixture of shock and unmistakable envy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A wave of hushed whispers began to circulate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is she? I\u2019ve never seen her on the social circuit before!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly! And Damian never brings the same woman to these functions twice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s true, his plus-one is always a new face. But have you ever seen him actually open a car door for any of\u00a0<\/p>\n
them?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:11\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thu, Jan\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 86 The Crimson Entrance\u00a0<\/p>\n
53\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that you mention it, never. This is a first. Who is she? Is she even on the social register?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gossip, while not shouted, was certainly not discreet. Scarlett caught the gist of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But she found she didn\u2019t particularly care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Scarlett was fully out of the car, Damian leaned down close to her ear, his voice a low murmur meant only for her. \u201cPay no mind to the chatter. Where there are crowds, there will be rumors. From the moment you agreed to accompany me tonight, you are the only woman here whose opinion holds any weight for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was impossible to tell how much sincerity lay behind his words, but Scarlett chose not to read too deeply\u00a0<\/p>\n
into them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Arm in arm, they made their way into the grand auction hall, the focus of countless watching eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The auction had not yet officially commenced, but the stage was already set, lined with display cases showcasing the evening\u2019s lots, most of which appeared to be fine jewelry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Guests were beginning to find their assigned seats, while reporters and photographers busily set up their equipment at the rear of the hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f22\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:11 hu,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife: Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 86 \u00a0 Chapter 86 The Crimson Entrance\u00a0 It was still relatively early […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27450\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}