Inside the boutique.
Melinda was browsing through the dresses while Raymond sat on the central sofa in the lounge, sipping his coffee and patiently waiting for her.
Even the store manager was personally attending to Melinda, showcasing all the unique pieces in hopes that one would catch her eye.
Melinda, however, wasn't interested in these unique pieces. She wanted to keep a low profile tonight and didn't want to make a grand entrance. But after going through all the options, she still hadn't found a dress she particularly liked.
Suddenly, she spotted a black off-the-shoulder evening gown. The cut was smooth, and the heavy fabric would provide some warmth.
The style of the dress was exactly what she had in mind, but on Melinda, it seemed to lack a certain wow factor.
Melinda rarely wore dark colors. Although she looked good in this evening gown, it didn't have that stunning effect she was hoping for.
"Ms. Sharp, you look great on camera. Actually, you suit dark-colored evening gowns very well; they give you a noble aura," the store manager, with her keen eye, could tell that Melinda's natural disposition wasn't suited for dark colors.
Melinda looked at herself in the mirror and was quite satisfied with the look.
Sitting at the makeup table, she let the store owner do her makeup.
Melinda's makeup was not heavy, just a light base and a touch of lip color, but it was enough to make her features flawless under the flashlights.
"Ms. Sharp, your face is truly captivating, never tiring to look at. Absolutely stunning."
The store manager had seen many beautiful people, but Melinda's looks and aura were one of a kind.
If she were a man, she would be mesmerized by Melinda too.
Melinda looked at herself in the mirror and was pleased with the makeup.
When Melinda came down from the second floor, dressed to the nines, she walked gracefully, her steps light and measured.
The custom-made gown shimmered under the lights, and the tiny diamonds on the hem sparkled. As she descended the stairs, the hem of the dress spread out like a blooming flower, looking absolutely stunning.
Raymond, sitting on the sofa, had a flash of amazement in his deep eyes the moment he saw her.
His woman looked beautiful no matter how she dressed.
Melinda, feeling a bit self-conscious, walked over to him. Upstairs, with so many people watching, she didn't know how to refuse him.
"Do I look good?" she asked softly.
"Very beautiful," Raymond replied, looking down at her.
Melinda held up two small glittery clutch bags, hesitated for a moment, and asked him, "Which one looks better?"
Raymond glanced at them and pointed to one. Melinda didn't hesitate any longer and picked it up.
Two unexpected guests would appear at tonight's banquet.
Time flew by, and it was already afternoon. The banquet was being held in a large ballroom at a seven-star hotel.
Since the lab had just been established this year, and it was already a year old, the banquet was particularly grand.
By 5 PM, the employees of the research institute started arriving.
Tonight, they had also invited their business clients and their families.
Tonight was both an anniversary celebration and a time to mingle with clients.
Somehow, word got out that Raymond would be attending tonight, so many female guests who initially weren't planning to come decided to show up.
As a result, the banquet was particularly lively.
Raymond undoubtedly became the target of all the single women present.
This man, who was usually hard to meet, would be available all night tonight!
Melinda was sitting in Raymond's car when she received a message from Delilah.
"Melinda, you need to keep an eye on Mr. Thomas tonight. Many female guests are here just for him."
Melinda couldn't help but laugh. Delilah was really looking out for her, even reminding her of this.
"What are you laughing at?" Raymond, elegantly controlling the steering wheel, glanced at her.
Melinda instinctively gripped her phone, feeling a bit flustered. "Oh, it's nothing."
If Raymond saw the message, she'd be mortified. But the more she brushed it off, the more suspicious Raymond became. Was she chatting with another guy?
When they arrived at the hotel, Frank personally came down to greet them. "Mr. Thomas, Melinda, I've already arranged a room for you."
Since it was still early, Melinda and Raymond went to a suite to rest before heading down when the banquet officially started.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Melinda stared at the night view, lost in thought. Raymond rested his chin on her shoulder, silent but affectionate.
"Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Are you going back to the Thomas Villa?" Melinda asked.
"Yeah, I spend it with my grandfather every year."
Tomorrow she would go back to the Lowe Family. Although that house didn't feel like home, as long as Connie was there, it still counted as her home.
"On Christmas, I want you and Sam to spend it with my grandfather," Raymond's deep voice sounded in her ear.
Melinda thought for a moment. She would go to her mother's house for Thanksgiving, so she wouldn't go back for Christmas.
"Alright," Melinda nodded.
Raymond's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. Just as he was about to kiss her, she turned her head away and put a finger to his lips. "No kissing. I have makeup on, don't smudge it."
She had to face many rivals tonight, so she needed to keep her makeup perfect.
Raymond couldn't help but laugh and lightly bit her collarbone. "Is this okay?"
Melinda felt a shiver run through her body. She let Raymond kiss her lightly as a form of punishment, and time passed as they lingered together.
Just then, Raymond's phone rang on the table. He reluctantly looked at Melinda, then walked to the lounge to answer it. "Hello?"
"Everything is arranged," Stuart reported on the other end.
"Good," Raymond's expression showed satisfaction.
By 6:30 PM, when Melinda and Raymond went downstairs, everyone had arrived.
When Melinda appeared in the lounge, all eyes naturally fell on her.
Celestia, trying to catch Raymond's attention, wore a tight red mermaid dress, her curves barely contained.
Delilah walked over to her. "Celestia, what are you doing here?"
"Ms. Lewis, I'm also an employee of the lab. How could I miss this?" Celestia said.
Her words were clearly provocative. She was just jealous of Delilah's recent fame!
"You don't seem to be on the guest list," Delilah said calmly.
"With my relationship with Mr. Thomas, I can come whenever I want," Celestia said provocatively, looking at Delilah.
Delilah was momentarily speechless. Although Celestia was nominally part of the lab, she had hardly done any research. Delilah even doubted if Celestia had ever worked seriously.
Meanwhile, Lena was downstairs in the lounge, greeting Emily.
When she saw Emily getting out of the car, she couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. "Ms. Lowe, you're here."
Emily's rented evening gown from the boutique was very fitting, not lowering her status.
"Ms. Lowe, you look so beautiful!" Lena noticed that Emily's slightly adjusted features were more delicate and charming, bearing a six or seven-point resemblance to Melinda.
"Has it started? Have you arranged my seat?" Emily asked.
"I've arranged it for you," Lena said, trying to suppress her jealousy and warmly leading the way for Emily.
Emily took out a card and slipped it into Lena's hand. "Thank you." Lena, flattered, accepted it.
Emily sat in a secluded guest seat. She had only one purpose tonight: to find a way to gain Raymond's sympathy and attention.
The celebration banquet began, and the crowd moved from the buffet area to the ballroom.
After having dinner in the hotel suite, Melinda and Raymond received a message from Delilah that the performance was about to start and asked when they would come down.