Chapter 87 Predatory Look
The socialites were gathered in a corner of the garden, champagne flutes in hand, chatting about Charles and Wentworth.
The banker's daughter said softly, "Those two brothers are rarely seen together in public. Do you think they don't get along?"
A corporate heiress chimed in, "Isn't Wentworth the one they call 'Commander Gonzaga'? He's never in the city, so it's normal they're not seen together. As for whether they get along, brothers from families like theirs often put on a polite front while having private disputes. We all know how it goes."
Zoey couldn't help but interject, "They're not feuding. They have a great relationship."
The heiresses merely glanced at her coolly, and no one responded.
The corporate heiress continued with a laugh, "I still think Charles is the catch—that height, those broad shoulders, and that perfect ass, am I right?"
"But why hasn't he gotten married yet? Is he not interested in women?" asked the daughter of a political family.
Zoey blurted out, "My dad says men who keep putting off marriage usually don't like kids and have no patience. You should be careful dating guys like that."
Naturally, no one took her words seriously.
These socialites all believed Charles remained unmarried simply because he hadn't found the right woman—and perhaps they could be that woman.
Zoey quickly realized she couldn't fit in with this crowd, so she took her wine glass and left to find other company.
But the adults here seemed to be casually chatting while actually discussing business deals and partnerships, while the children were running around playing on the lawn. As a twenty-one-year-old, she felt too naive among the adults and too mature for the kids.
That's when she spotted a husky nearby.
She walked over and crouched down to pet its head gently. "Hey there, what's your name?"
The husky was docile and even scratched at its leash with its paw, as if signaling for Zoey to help untie it.
Zoey laughed. "You want to come out and play? Sure, but you have to promise to behave and let me hold your leash."
The husky seemed to understand and actually nodded at her.
The moment she untied the rope, the husky shot off like an arrow.
"Hey—!" Zoey missed grabbing the leash and tumbled onto the grass.
She scrambled up to chase after it.
The husky had lived on the estate for a long time and, seeing so many people for the first time, excitedly rampaged through the garden and banquet area.
"Ah—there's a dog!" the socialites shrieked.
"My drinks!" A server got knocked over, sending champagne flutes crashing to the ground in a shower of glass.
The dog then leaped onto the dessert table, took a bite of cake, saw people chasing it, jumped down and dove under the table, dragging the tablecloth with it. Food and tableware crashed to the floor.
Zoey panicked, desperately chasing after it. Wherever it went, she followed, but she just couldn't catch it.
The banquet scene instantly turned chaotic!
Finally, someone whistled sharply, and the husky stopped, obediently running toward the sound.
Zoey followed, panting and disheveled. She thought whoever had whistled was her savior.
Her savior... was gorgeous!
Tall and lean, about six-foot-one, wearing a perfectly tailored handmade suit, with mature, handsome features and steady eyes that held a hint of boyishness.
Like a hero descended from heaven.
The husky sat obediently at his feet like a guard dog.
Zoey was instantly mesmerized by Charles.
Guests around them complained, "Did that dog get spooked? Who let it loose? Look at my dress—this is custom-made, eight thousand dollars!"
"My gown cost twenty thousand."
"And my purse!"
A little boy pointed at Zoey and shouted, "It was her! I saw her untie the leash!"
Zoey felt incredibly guilty. If she admitted it, she'd not only get scolded but might have to pay damages—that had to be tens of thousands of dollars, minimum.
Fine, she'd take responsibility for her actions. She'd pay up!
Just as she was about to step forward, Charles spoke up, "Everyone, please don't worry. My dog caused this disruption today, and I'll cover all damages. You can go to the lounge to clean up your clothes first, and my butler can arrange replacements for anyone who needs them."
Zoey said urgently, "No, no, I should pay. I was the one who untied the dog. I just wanted to take it for a walk and didn't expect I couldn't control it."
Charles said calmly, "You're a guest, this is my dog, and there's no reason for you to bear the cost."
"But this really was my mistake."
"No need to say more. That's settled." Charles's tone was calm but made everyone fall silent.
The guests had no choice but to follow his arrangements and go tidy themselves up.
Charles crouched down and rubbed the husky's head, his tone reproachful. "You're such a troublemaker. Do this again and you're going in the oven."
Zoey couldn't help but laugh.
She crouched down too. "You totally don't mean that. I can tell you really love him—you must be very kindhearted. What's his name?"
Charles glanced at her. Her hair was messy, her face had cream on it, and her hands were covered in dirt. He couldn't help but frown.
Zoey pressed, "Don't tell me he doesn't have a name?"
"His name is Dumb."
Zoey immediately laughed. "Perfect name!"
Charles ignored her and walked away with Dumb.
Zoey watched his retreating figure, thinking he looked more handsome from every angle.
She went to wash her face and touch up her makeup. When she emerged, the banquet area had been restored to order, as if the earlier chaos had never happened.
The ball began.
The butler announced that guests could invite their preferred partners to dance. Zoey saw several socialites eyeing Charles, ready to make their move.
She moved lightning-fast, reaching Charles first and extending her hand. "Mr. Gonzaga, may I have this dance?"
Charles recognized her as the girl who'd let the dog loose. He didn't want to accept, but seeing all those socialites watching him, he realized if he didn't dance with Zoey, he'd have to dance with someone else anyway.
Whatever. He'd dance with Zoey. She was just a little girl—he'd treat it like dancing with a kid.
Charles offered his hand to Zoey, and they began dancing to the music.
Zoey's heart raced, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at his face.
Charles looked down and caught sight of her face, grinning with obvious mischief, and frowned again.
"Mr. Gonzaga, could you please stop frowning? Look at your brow—you could crack walnuts with that furrow."
Charles said coolly, "Could you tone down that predatory look in your eyes?"
"Predatory? Is it that obvious?" Zoey blinked innocently.