Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 285

I hadn't even mentioned to Paula about finding someone who could read lips, and she had already invited me out.

She invited me to a masquerade ball.

"Do you really think I'm the type to go to a ball?" I asked, thinking that these events were usually for the wealthy.

Paula immediately retorted, "Why not? Even if you weren't before, you can change now. Come with me. What are you afraid of? Melinda, we need to change our mindset and embrace new experiences, got it?"

"I don't get it. I'm fine as I am," I replied, unmoved.

Paula was insistent, "No way, you have to come with me this time. It won't be fun if I go alone."

I raised an eyebrow and teased, "Of course it won't be fun alone. Aren't there going to be plenty of handsome guys there?"

"Melinda, you say you're not interested, but you know all about it. You should come with me. If you don't, I'll spread the word that you've been drooling over handsome guys for ages..." Paula teased.

I knew she was just saying that to get me to go. She wouldn't really ruin my reputation.

Because of that, her persistent nagging finally wore me down, and I had to agree. "Fine, I'll go with you. But I'm not very good at these things, so don't blame me if I'm awkward."

"How could I? I remember back in school, you were praised as a goddess when you danced. Besides, in my eyes, Melinda, you're perfect in every way. How could I ever dislike you?" Paula reminisced fondly.

Her words made me blush, and I decided to stay silent.

I knew I couldn't win an argument with her.

Seeing that I had agreed, Paula immediately started dressing me up.

She prepared a black lace butterfly mask for me, mysterious and alluring.

But I felt a bit uncomfortable wearing the dress.

It was a red short dress that showed off my long legs, with a flared hem. Paired with high heels, it made me sway gracefully as I walked.

"Beautiful! If I were a man, I'd be smitten," Paula praised, clicking her tongue in admiration.

I felt embarrassed by her compliments. "This dress might not be appropriate."

"What's inappropriate about it? Trust me, you'll be the star of the show. Now, let's do your makeup and hair. You have to listen to me," Paula insisted, pushing me into a chair and starting on my makeup.

When she saw that the scar on my face was barely visible, she couldn't help but sigh, "Thank goodness it didn't ruin your face. Such a beautiful face, I would have been heartbroken. You didn't even care about your face back then."

Paula was still a bit heartbroken.

It wasn't that I didn't care, but at that time, there were more important things to focus on.

"We should thank that person who secretly liked you. Honestly, you should consider him. He's got everything—character, family background, looks, ability—and he's devoted to you. You're still young, you should look forward."

Paula was subtly trying to set me up.

I chuckled, "If he was so great, why didn't he show up earlier? Instead, I got fooled by Lawrence."

Paula followed my lead, "Exactly. Blame him for being too slow, letting Lawrence get ahead. But it's not too late now, right?"

I shook my head with a smile, "I'm a divorced woman who lost a child. How could I deserve such a perfect man? Let's not talk about this. I just want to live well now."

Seeing my determination, Paula sighed, "Are you really going to miss out? If you see him, will you push him away too?"

"What do you mean?"

I looked at her nervously, "Are you saying he might be at the masquerade ball too?"

Paula smiled, "I didn't say anything. But it seems like your heart is more honest than your words. You don't really reject him, do you? I'll invite him to the ball."

As she spoke, she took out her phone.

I quickly stopped her, "No, I didn't say anything. Don't misinterpret my words."

Paula sighed, "Why can't you move on? He never cared about your past. Maybe seeing him will change your mind."

I shook my head, "It won't. Just consider me insecure."

For some reason, the memory of that night and Christopher's handsome face flashed in my mind. His deep eyes...

My heart trembled.

I tried to shake off his image and suppress the bitterness and frustration in my heart.

Paula noticed my slight change in mood and stared at me, "Melinda, what's wrong? Are you upset by what I said? Or do you have something on your mind? Tell me."

I hid my emotions and smiled as if nothing was wrong, "Are you being sensitive or am I? There's nothing wrong. Even if I feel sad sometimes, it passes quickly."

"Really?" Paula asked again, uncertain.

I confirmed it.

Paula finally stopped asking and just told me, "We're family by choice, so if you ever want to talk, I'm always here."

"Okay!" I felt warm inside, my eyes almost tearing up.

Paula wasn't one for sentimentality, so she quickly called me downstairs to get in the car for the ball.

On the way, she seemed to remember something and took out her phone to send a message.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression, and she explained, "Work stuff. Just letting them know so I won't be disturbed while having fun!"

I nodded, thinking she was right.

When we arrived at the ball, there were already many people wearing various masks.

Some looked great, while some men, like those with tiger masks, paired with muscular chests, looked a bit fierce.

"We might have to wait a bit. Let's get something to eat," Paula said, pulling me towards the dessert table.

I was actually a bit hungry.

I wasn't really here to find a date, so I ate without any reservations.

Especially the blueberry cake, which I loved.

And the strawberry one next to it was Paula's favorite, so I quickly grabbed two pieces.

"Paula, I got you some strawberry cake..."

I turned to talk to Paula while holding the cake.

I guess I was too happy.

I didn't notice someone behind me and bumped into them, causing the cake to tilt and some cream to smear across my red dress.

"Sorry, let me clean that up for you!"

A hoarse voice said. It was the man I had bumped into.

He apologized and quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe it off.

But as he reached out, he realized it was inappropriate.

I instinctively stepped back in shock.

Before I could get angry, he quickly apologized, "Don't misunderstand. I'm sorry, I just wanted to help. I didn't mean anything by it, and I'm not a creep."