Chapter 46: He Saved Her

Bert remembered that time when Vera, at fifteen, had asked him to teach her how to dance at a party. 

He thought, "Vera must've been waiting for this moment forever."

So, Bert naturally reached out his hand.

But to his shock, Vera didn't even glance his way. She just turned around and went looking for more food.

Ivor chuckled, and Bert felt a wave of embarrassment and humiliation, cursing inwardly, 'What a bitch.'

"Are you waiting for Arnold to ask you to dance? Dream on! Who do you think you are? He doesn't even need to ask; women just throw themselves at him. Do you think you can compete with that?"

Bert kept questioning, and Vera followed his gaze to see the women flocking around the dazzling, tall Arnold. Just one look, and she felt a pang in her chest.

Vera shifted her focus back to the food, saying, "I don't care, but why don't you look at Shirley? Her eyes are like daggers aimed at me."

Shirley, standing at a distance, quickly withdrew her resentful gaze and put on a pitiful smile when she caught Bert's eye. Bert looked annoyed, thinking, 'Vera is really jealous.'

But this also made him feel a bit pleased. Did this mean Vera still cared about him?

Bert said, "Shirley is different from you; she's gentle and considerate."

"Then go find her. What are you doing here?" Vera snapped.

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Vera wondered when these two nuts would stop dragging her into their love triangle.

"Vera, I know you still have feelings for me. I can give you a chance. I'll break off the engagement with Shirley," Bert said, adjusting his tie arrogantly.

He added, "We can go back to how things were, and I'll pursue you."

Bert expected to see Vera grateful and in tears, but instead, she looked at him with disgust, like he was out of his mind. Was he imagining things?

Vera felt like she was losing it. Had Bert been traumatized or something? How could he say such shameless things?

Vera sighed again, wondering how she ever fell for such a self-righteous jerk.

Instead of the reaction he expected, Vera just turned and walked away. This made Bert feel even more embarrassed. He had spoken to Vera so gently, why?

He grabbed Vera's wrist, ready to drag her away without a second thought. But Arnold had appeared out of nowhere and stood in front of Vera, saying, "She's my date."

Bert stared at him blankly, and in the end, he had to reluctantly let go, gritting his teeth.

Arnold extended his hand and said, "Would you like to dance with me, madam?"

Arnold was dressed in a white suit. At that moment, he looked more like an elegant and noble prince.

A golden mask covered half of his face, highlighting his prominent nose. His sexy lips and chiseled chin were fully visible as he lifted the corners of his mouth into a calm, charming smile.

Vera felt her heart race again. She placed her hand in Arnold's and said, "Sure."

But when they reached the center of the dance floor, Vera realized with embarrassment, "I don't know how to dance."

"It's okay, I'll teach you," Arnold said, hooking his arm around her waist and pulling her close, while his other hand gently held hers.

"Follow my lead," he whispered in her ear, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

The melodious cello began to play, and Arnold's steps were slow as he guided Vera in circles.

At first, Vera kept stepping on Arnold's clean, polished shoes, but gradually, she started to get the hang of it.

As the lights dimmed, with each turn, Vera felt a bit dizzy from looking into his blue eyes, like a whirlpool pulling her in.

She suddenly felt his face getting closer, but she allowed it. Just as their lips were about to touch, a gasp was heard. And then the sound of something creaking above.

"Oh my god! Run!"

"Vera!"

Someone shouted in alarm, and in that moment, Vera looked up and saw a huge chandelier falling down.

Before she could react, a strong force pushed her away, and another figure rushed towards her—Bert.

Bert felt like he must be crazy. In that moment, he wanted to save Vera, but he was too late.

The massive chandelier crashed to the ground in just a second, making a loud noise. When Vera came to her senses, she saw the man who had shielded her.

"Arnold!" She looked nervously at him, only to touch his shoulder soaked in blood.

Vera's mind went blank, trembling as she said, "Arnold! Wait, let me call an ambulance. You can't be hurt!"

Panic surged through her, a huge sense of fear enveloping her. In that moment, she realized she had fallen in love with Arnold. She was afraid of losing him.

"Vera, calm down. I've already called an ambulance," Ivor ran over, looking at Vera's tear-streaked face in panic.

Moreover, Vera had several cuts on her skin from the shattered glass, but she seemed completely unaware.

The ambulance arrived quickly, and Vera followed closely beside the stretcher. Her gaze suddenly fell on a woman hastily leaving. But she didn't have the mind to think about it now. Was it an accident or was it intentional?

Forcing herself to regain her composure, Vera grabbed Ivor's arm. "I'll go to the hospital with him, you go check the surveillance!"