Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me Chapter 41

As the line gradually shortens, moving me closer to the ballroom's entrance, I hear Easton announce names.

Only when June squeezes my hand reassuringly do I notice that I’m shaking. “It’s okay,” my little sister whispers. “You look gorgeous.”

I give her a small smile. How did she become the grown-up of the two of us?

Finally, Savannah, the girl in front of me, moves into the hall. From where we stand, I see her walk towards the Ashfords, who stand at the entrance.

She gives a low curtsey, and the Ashfords smile politely at her. When she straightens, they move in a way that looks rehearsed, leaving space for Savannah in the middle.

Cameras I can’t see from my vantage point flash as they pose. Then Savannah curtsies one last time before walking further into the ballroom.

“And last but not least,” Easton announces, and my heart skips a beat, “April and June Farrah!”

Taking a deep breath, I walk through the floral arch at the ballroom's entrance to the sound of soft orchestral music. Instantly, the ambiance overwhelms me. The same room where we’ve been having dance classes for weeks is unrecognizable.

The crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden light over the room. Deep purple velvet curtains elegantly frame the tall windows, and delicate garlands of ivory roses and fairy lights drape the room.

I don’t know if it’s a figment of my imagination or delirium due to lack of sleep and stress, but I swear I hear gasps echo through the room.

When I dare look into the crowd, the contestants and staff around the room stare at me. Their expressions are a mix of surprise and awe.

They all saw the confetti my dress turned to last night, so their surprise is well-founded.

I painstakingly stitched each scrap back onto the dress, but it was only enough to make something of a cocktail dress that fell halfway down my thighs. Then I used the material for the destroyed wings to create a sheer overlay I studded with the beads that went down to the floor. I stitched up the slashed bodice, so it looks like the rips were intentional. Because I had to take out the wings at the back, I cut the back out and changed the neckline and sleeves so my entire back is bare down to my waist.

It isn’t the magical dress I initially designed, but from the look of everyone around me, I didn’t disappoint.

The reactions that mean the most to me, however, are the Ashford’s—especially Marisol’s. Before now, she’s kind of glanced over me, never really looked at me. But when I raise my head from my curtsey, her eyebrow is raised, and she’s smiling, clearly impressed.

I don’t think Samuel knows how to appreciate a dress since he just gives me the same polite smile he gives everyone else. Lucas looks as uninterested as usual.

Peter, on the other hand, is full-on grinning, looking very proud of himself—as he should be. He’s the reason I’m still here. Plus, he sewed all the beads onto the overlay.

As for Nathan…

I don’t look in his direction, unsure if I want to see his expression. I’m incredibly conflicted about everything that has happened between us over the last couple of days, and tonight at the ball is not the right place to unpack it all.

The Ashfords move like they’ve been doing, and June and I fit into their middle, facing the cameras flashing at us.

While we pose, my spine stiffens when I feel a palm on my bare back. I force my face to hold the same pleasant expression as the hand slides down my back till it rests right on top of my ass—and then gives it a little squeeze.

As soon as we’re done with the pictures, I move away as fast as I can without drawing attention to myself. I survey them as subtly as I can, wondering which of the Ashfords carried out the inappropriate action.

None of their faces give anything away, and I take June’s hand, leading her away as I try to put the unsettling moment out of my mind.

Immediately after my entrance, Easton introduces the rest of the guests, and each name he calls makes my belly sink further to the ground.

High society figures, high-ranking CEOs, celebrities and influencers, the freaking Mayor of New York.

I feel myself retreating further into my shell. Now that my dress has been displayed, I wish for a fast-forward button so the ball can end and I can breathe normally again.

After the introductions and photo-ops, Samuel replaces Easton on the stage.

“Good evening, esteemed guests and contestants,” he greets. “Welcome to our home, and thank you for joining us on this enchanting evening. Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate elegance and tradition but also to mark a significant chapter in our family's journey. As part of the bridal selection, this ball honors the remarkable women whose grace and spirit have graced our lives over the past weeks. Tonight is about connections, possibilities, and the promise of new beginnings. Let us dance, laugh, and celebrate the beauty of this occasion.”

The room erupts into applause as he descends the stage.

Fluidly, the real-life orchestra situated to the left of the stage starts playing a gorgeous waltz that flows through the room like a river of enchantment, curling through the crowd like a warm, melodious embrace.

Samuel takes Marisol’s hand, and the crowd automatically parts as they sway through the dance floor.

I don’t know if it’s all for show or real, but the way Samuel looks at Marisol while they waltz—like she’s the single most precious thing in the world to him—makes my heart ache.

Will someone ever look at me like that?

Instinctively, before I even realize it, I turn, and my gaze instantly settles on Nathan. My eyes widen when I see that he’s already looking at me. Our eyes lock, and a hot shiver runs through me.

It’s almost like my dream—except he’s not looking at me in awe. His expression is classically blank, but his eyes hold an emotion I can’t decipher. Before I can even bother to try, he glances away.

Soft applause erupts around the room as Marisol and Samuel’s dance ends. Almost immediately, guests reach out to their dates, taking them to the dance floor.

My heart flips when the heirs move towards the contestants. I’d known we would dance with at least one brother each, but the closer they move to us, the fiercer my heart pounds in my chest.

With everything that has happened between us, I doubt Nathan wants to be anywhere near me. Peter and Lucas, however, head in my direction.

Eliza lets out a small squeak when Peter stretches out a hand to her and says, “Let’s see if you’re as good on the dance floor as you are on horseback.”

I bite my lip to hide my smile and slide to the left so that Lucas can reach Lara, who stands beside me.

I glance down at June and squeeze her hand. “Wanna dance with me?”

My sister glances at something in front of me, and her eyes widen slightly. “Uh…”

I follow her gaze, and my heart stutters when I see a hand stretched before me. Then I look up to the face the hand is attached to, and I have a mini-heart attack in the Ashford ballroom.

Lucas Ashford.