Chapter 205 Choose Your Favorite and Dance the First Dance
Matthew gently ruffled Emma's hair.
Since their last parting in Luminous City, he thought he had let go. He never expected seeing her again would make his heart ache this much.
This was his girl—so beautiful, so radiant...
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch, extracting a platinum necklace.
The pendant was crafted from a single red diamond, meticulously cut to perfection.
That red diamond was the largest known in the world, its value impossible to measure—a truly priceless treasure.
He personally fastened the necklace around her slender, snow-white neck. The cool metal made her shiver slightly.
Then he leaned down, speaking in a voice only they could hear.
"You've finally found your family. I'm so happy for you."
"Take care of yourself and the baby. You've chosen your path—promise me you'll be happy, okay?"
He even knew about the baby? He was always omniscient.
Emma’s heart felt like it had been struck hard.
Though he had left her world, he seemed never to have truly gone far.
She knew that without his sacrifice and help back then, she and Nicholas might have both died in Luminous City.
"I will," Emma nodded, tears finally breaking free and streaming down her cheeks.
The guests watched Emma's emotional breakdown, completely puzzled about what Matthew had whispered to her.
To them, this looked exactly like the deep intimacy between lovers reunited after long separation.
It seemed Emma's feelings for Matthew ran incredibly deep.
Nicholas and Louis clenched their fists so tight their knuckles turned white, jealousy nearly driving them mad.
Matthew gently wiped away her tears with his large hand, saying softly, "Don't cry, sweetheart. You won't look beautiful if you keep crying."
Then he leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
The touch was warm, carrying endless reluctance and deep tenderness.
But this was the last kiss he could give her in this lifetime.
Below the stage, Evelyn excitedly filmed the entire scene with her phone—this was absolutely explosive.
Meanwhile, far away, Daryl and Ruby watched the live stream on their phones, so excited they wanted to rush to the scene immediately.
Their Emma was actually the long-lost heiress of the White family.
How wonderful, what an amazing surprise.
She had finally found her home.
Luke approached, his eyes slightly red but carrying a relieved smile.
He broke the momentary silence.
"Olivia, the ball is about to begin."
His voice was gentle, like a spring breeze across a lake.
"You're tonight's star. You'll lead the first dance."
"Every gentleman here is at your disposal—choose your favorite partner."
As his words fell, every gaze focused on her.
Nicholas, Louis, and Matthew—three exceptional men stood not far away.
Their burning gazes locked onto her like believers looking up at their faith.
Waiting for her approach, hoping to share this symbolic first dance of new beginnings.
Below the stage, over 130 young elites from the nation's top single nobility held their breath in anticipation.
Her choice would undoubtedly reveal her heart's desire.
Tomorrow's headlines were already being frantically drafted in everyone's minds.
Who would Emma choose?
The atmosphere grew tense to the breaking point, the air so heavy even breathing was audible.
Under all eyes, she moved.
Her golden gown's hem traced an elegant arc as she stepped forward, walking toward Nicholas's direction.
Nicholas's heart nearly leaped from his chest.
He unconsciously straightened his pristine suit collar, his fingertips already preparing to embrace her slender waist.
However, she simply walked past him.
A gentle breeze swept by, carrying all his hopes away.
Nicholas's world crumbled in that moment.
Beside him, Louis's eyes instantly lit up with hope.
He couldn't control himself, calling out in a breath only they could hear, "Olivia."
But she still didn't stop, her figure resolute.
As she passed Matthew, she finally turned her head and gave him a radiant smile.
That smile held apology, comfort, and an understanding that needed no words.
Nicholas and Louis's faces changed dramatically—was she choosing Matthew?
After all, Matthew was the person who understood her best in the world.
He returned a gentle smile, silently mouthing, "Go ahead."
Emma walked gracefully and confidently, heading straight down from the stage.
She walked toward the broader crowd.
The hundred-plus gentlemen below instantly lost their composure.
Emma was coming their way.
Could it be she was abandoning those three on stage to select a husband from among them?
This was like a blessing from heaven, an incredible stroke of luck.
"Ms. White."
"Ms. White."
They all bowed slightly, their postures humble yet genteel, unanimously extending their hopeful hands toward her.
The sight of over a hundred men offering their hands at once was spectacular.
In this moment, Emma was the undisputed queen.
She deliberately walked a full circle through the crowd, her dress swirling as her elegant fragrance enchanted everyone present, leaving them spellbound.
Finally, her steps stopped before Milan.
She playfully extended her hand to the white-haired elderly man.
"I walked around the whole room, and I still think you're the most handsome."
"Would you honor me with the first dance?"
Milan could hardly believe his ears. He quickly handed his pear wood cane to his daughter nearby, then excitedly grasped her soft little hand.
"Of course, of course."
The entire ballroom was stunned once again.
Emma's choice was Milan.
This choice was both mischievous and heartwarming.
In the distance, Nicholas and Louis both secretly exhaled in relief.
They saw her smiling.
Smiling so brilliantly, so carefree.
The love in their eyes grew even more intense in that moment.
The gorgeous waltz music began to play softly.
Milan gently embraced Emma and led her slowly into the dance floor.
His steps were somewhat rusty, carrying the stiffness left by years, yet each step was remarkably steady.
Soon, other guests joined in, creating a magnificent scene of flowing silk and dancing figures.
Emma rested her cheek lightly against her grandfather's shoulder, her voice soft as a feather.
"Grandfather, could you give me that painting with the little footprints?"
Milan's body stiffened suddenly, then a wave of immense joy and bittersweet emotion surged through him.
Olivia was calling him grandfather? He was the first family member she had acknowledged.
"Of course, of course. If you like it, everything grandfather has is yours."
In that moment, he could no longer hold back his tears.
He held tightly to the precious treasure he had lost and found again, his lips trembling violently with excitement.
"Olivia, I've finally waited for you to come home..."
Warm tears fell one by one onto Emma's shoulder, burning hot.
Eighteen years had passed, and the little footprints had grown up.
Emma smiled faintly.
But that smile was filled with unstoppable tears, her eyes already an ocean...
There was a love that never expires—that was family love.
...
That night, servers across the internet crashed once again.
The trending topics were flooded with the same name.
#Dr. Emma is actually Ms. White#
#Three Elite CEOs Propose at Family Reunion Gala#
#Ms. White's First Dance with Mr. Johnson#
#Actress Zoe Arrested#
#Mr. Harrison's Priceless Crown for His Beloved#
#Mr. Windsor's Eighteen-Year Wait for His First Love#
Countless videos and articles spread like wildfire—tonight was destined to be sleepless.
The family reunion gala slowly drew to a close amid boiling voices and flashing cameras.
Finally, Evelyn and Emma remained at the White Mansion, while all guests, including Nicholas who desperately wanted to stay glued to her side, had to leave.
In the warm princess bedroom, the air was filled with sweet aromatherapy scents.
This was an ocean of pink.
A massive princess bed dominated the room, with hand-painted murals on the walls showing a playful little girl chasing butterflies in a garden.
Most shocking was an entire wall of gift shelves.
They were densely packed with presents, each bearing a label.
[Olivia's 1st Birthday Gift.]
[Olivia's 2nd Birthday Gift.]
...
All the way to [Olivia's 24th Birthday Gift.]
Twenty-four years, never missing a single one.
Emma's fingers trembled as she picked up a pink stuffed doll, sitting dazedly on the bed's edge, her eyes swollen from crying.
She had returned.
Returned to her true home.
But everything that happened tonight was so overwhelming that she felt dazed, her mind blank, feeling like she might wake from this beautiful dream any second.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door was gently pushed open, and Luna entered carrying a bowl of dessert.
She approached Emma, her voice gentle.
"Olivia, I made you some lily sweet soup. It'll help you sleep."
She extended the delicate white porcelain bowl.
Emma reached out with both hands to accept it, warmth spreading from her palms as she said quietly, "Thank you."
Luna sat beside her, looking at her profile, carefully beginning to speak.
"Olivia, I'm so sorry. I misidentified you."
"That day at the club, when I first saw you, I should have recognized you..."
Luna's eyes immediately reddened, her voice thick with emotion and regret.
"I even helped that impostor Zoe mistreat you. It's all my fault."
She choked up, reaching out to touch Emma but timidly withdrawing her hand.
"Can you forgive me?"
Emma's hand holding the spoon froze mid-air.
Her heart was in turmoil, waves of emotion crashing within.
Silence.
Over ten seconds of silence that seemed to freeze the air itself.
She finally spoke slowly, word by word.
"Mrs. White, I'm a bit tired." She raised her head, her eyes calm and emotionless.
"Thank you for the soup. I'll drink it."
She called her Mrs. White. Not mother.
Luna's face instantly drained of all color, her heart clenched so tightly she couldn't breathe.
She stood up abruptly, forcing a composed smile despite her trembling lips.
"Oh, of course. Drink it and get some rest."
She practically fled the room.
The moment the door closed, her world was drenched in torrential rain.
The room returned to silence.
Emma scooped a spoonful of the sweet soup and slowly put it in her mouth.
Her eyes were red with tears.
It was very sweet.
Sweet to the point of being cloying, yet carrying an indescribable bitterness that stuck in her throat.
In another large room, Evelyn emerged from the shower wearing a silk bathrobe, yawning and with her hair still dripping.
Just then, she heard some movement.
Following the sound, she pushed open a side door.
The scene before her made her pupils contract suddenly.
Luke was facing away from her, his shirt half-off, revealing his muscular upper body and flowing back lines.
A vicious scar was branded on his rear shoulder.
Luke heard the door being pushed open and stiffened, quickly pulling his shirt back up to cover everything.
Evelyn's heart clenched tight, and without thinking, she ran toward him.
But he dodged to the side, avoiding her approach, his tone carrying distance and mockery.
"Miss Jackson, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"You entered my room without permission—are you planning to assault me?"
Evelyn was completely bewildered. "This is your room?"
She looked around at the simple black and white décor, cold and distinctly masculine.
"A housekeeper clearly brought me in here. I thought it was strange..."
She had indeed been too tired—when the housekeeper opened the door, she went straight to the bathroom.
Luke raised an eyebrow, his tone flat. "What do you think?"
He turned to let her see the entire walk-in closet.
Inside hung at least a hundred various haute couture suits, with shirts, ties, watches, and cufflinks meticulously organized and neatly arranged.
This room clearly belonged to Luke.
Evelyn felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Oh, sorry. I'll find another room in a bit."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something and asked urgently, "That scar on your back—can I take a look at it?"
She remembered clearly that Hawk's injury was in that same location.
And Hawk had an anesthetic allergy, just like Luke.
This was too much of a coincidence.
Luke's eyes flickered, a playful curve forming at his lips.
"Miss Jackson, so you have a fetish for looking at men's bodies."
Evelyn's face flushed bright red, too flustered to respond.
She steadied herself and pressed further, "Have you ever been to Luminous City?"
He answered without hesitation, firmly stating three words.
"Never been there."
The little flame of hope in Evelyn's eyes was instantly extinguished, disappointment impossible to hide.
Of course not.
Bitterness rose in her heart—how could he possibly be Hawk?
His face was flawlessly perfect, devastatingly handsome, while Hawk's face bore gunshot scars.
She really was going crazy to keep connecting them.
The air remained silent for over ten seconds.
Finally, she said quietly, "Then please arrange another room for me."
But he wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he approached her with long strides, his tone carrying subtle flirtation.
"Scared of me?"
"I can't exactly do anything to you, so what are you afraid of?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes and stepped back. "I hate looking at you. Is that not allowed?"
Luke stared at her for two seconds, then methodically buttoned up his shirt before saying, "Let's go."
He opened the door first.
Evelyn had no choice but to follow behind him.
They walked and walked, turning down one long corridor, then another, even going up a floor.
The White family estate was massive, like a maze.
She finally couldn't take it anymore, asking breathlessly, "Are we there yet? Couldn't you arrange something closer, like right across from your room?"
Without looking back, he coldly replied, "No. Guest rooms are in the west wing."
Finally, he stopped at a room at the very end of a long hallway and pushed open the door.
It was clean inside, bright and tidy, but somehow carried an oddly cold, desolate feeling.
Suddenly, there was a banging sound from outside the window, along with sharp scratching noises.
Evelyn jumped in fright, instinctively turning around and clinging tightly to Luke's body.
"Ah, don't leave! I'm scared..."
More scratching sounds came from the windowsill.
Evelyn held him even tighter, her voice unsteady.
"Could I borrow your room for tonight?"