Chapter 403 Aurelia Is Too Shameless
Rachel froze for a moment.
Tonight's ball was organized by the Sinclair family, one of the eight major families.
The Sinclair family and the Kingsley family had some family connections.
Aurelia had a long-standing reputation in their circle and had been invited to dance for the opening glee tonight.
But Rachel couldn't help glancing toward the crowd.
Given the current situation, if she went to invite Andrew, would he agree?
Rachel felt the chances of being rejected were higher.
As a good friend, Rachel still tried to advise, "Aurelia, you should just forget it. You saw how much Mr. Hamilton dotes on Olivia. If you invite him, how could he possibly agree?
If you get rejected in front of all these people, how awkward would that be?"
Aurelia had naturally thought of this too. She smiled confidently and said, "I'll have a way to make him agree!"
Seeing how determined she was, Rachel didn't say anything more.
Then she watched as Aurelia walked toward Finnegan.
Aurelia had known about Finnegan's arrival all along, because she was the one who had invited him.
But now, she pretended to be surprised and said, "I thought I was seeing things, but you really came!"
She smiled and approached, standing beside Finnegan like a well-mannered young person, saying, "Mr. Hamilton, you came without telling us in advance. Isn't it boring being here alone?
It's quite lively over at Andrew's side. I was just planning to go say hello to them. Why don't we go together?
Marigold, Mr. Whitley, and Mr. Savage are all there too."
Finnegan naturally knew it was lively over there, but he hadn't planned to go.
But Aurelia's voice was loud, and with this greeting, many people turned their attention toward them.
Even Andrew and the others not far away heard what she said.
At this point, Finnegan had to go whether he wanted to or not.
Olivia also saw Finnegan beside Aurelia, and without Andrew reminding her, she guessed his identity.
To say she wasn't nervous would be a lie. Her whole body tensed up instinctively.
She wasn't ready to meet Finnegan yet.
She only knew that he had always been strongly opposed to Andrew being with her.
When he came over, what would he say?
Olivia couldn't help but worry, while also quietly observing Finnegan.
Just as she had imagined, he had an imposing presence, but along with his seriousness, there was a refined air about him.
At the same time, his face showed a hint of stubbornness and obstinacy.
At first glance, he didn't look easy to deal with.
Olivia became even more nervous.
Andrew noticed and gently held her hand, his warm temperature passing through, as if comforting her not to be afraid.
Olivia steadied herself and tried to stay calm.
Benjamin beside them clicked his tongue and muttered quietly, "The annoying one is here too."
Evelyn watched Aurelia coldly. Seeing her holding Finnegan's arm, she looked quite dignified.
But the emotion hidden in her eyes was full of purpose.
It seemed that they'd just gotten rid of Charlotte, and now here was another one who couldn't hold back.
But did Aurelia really think that with Finnegan backing her, she could get what she wanted?
She couldn't help but sneer, "I'm waiting to see someone get humiliated!"
Liam, Daniel, and Jade didn't comment, but they all knew what Aurelia was up to.
However, they felt that with Andrew and Olivia at this stage, anyone with any sense wouldn't push forward at this time, right?
That would be really ugly!
But Aurelia herself didn't think so.
She held Finnegan's arm and walked over with him, Patrick, and Jessica.
"Mr. White, Anna."
In Aurelia's eyes, these two were on her side, so she greeted them.
Then she looked at Andrew and Tomas and the others, "Mr. Savage, Mr. Whitley, and Marigold, I've heard so much about you all. I didn't expect to meet you here tonight."
She looked at Andrew coquettishly and said, "Andrew is so biased. Why didn't you introduce me?"
Andrew's expression was flat. He looked at Finnegan, ignored Aurelia, and called out on his own, "Grandfather."
Rodolfo, who had been talking with Tomas, along with Vaughn and Victoria, heard this and turned to look.
Before Finnegan could respond, Rodolfo's eyes became critical.
So this was Finnegan, the one who looked down on Olivia?
He looked exactly as stubborn as expected!
Rodolfo was quite dissatisfied with Finnegan.
Finnegan also noticed him and just as he looked over, he was met with a big eye roll.
He frowned slightly, feeling a bit unhappy, but still maintained proper courtesy, nodding at everyone as a greeting.
Then he spoke up and chatted with Tomas and the others, "Mr. Savage, Mr. Whitley, long time no see."
His attitude was much warmer compared to his coldness when standing over there earlier.
Tomas, Damon, and Marigold had met Finnegan at parties before.
They had more or less heard about Finnegan's attitude toward Olivia.
But at this moment, they just pretended not to know, maintaining a friendly attitude on the surface, saying, "Yes, it's been a long time. How have you been, Mr. Hamilton?"
Aurelia stood there, unwilling to be ignored like this.
So she politely spoke up again, "It's rare to see all three of you at the same event. What a coincidence tonight. Having this opportunity to meet you all is truly my honor!"
She appeared generous, proper, and polite, like a lady from a good family, giving no one anything to criticize.
If it were anyone else, they would surely give her some respect.
However, what Aurelia didn't expect was that even so, the people in front of her completely ignored her.
Marigold acted as if she hadn't heard anything, quietly sipping the wine in her glass, and turned to Rodolfo saying, "This wine tastes quite mellow, much better than those you've been collecting."
Rodolfo said, "You're still recovering, you can't drink too much, or Olivia will nag you again later."
The two of them seemed to completely ignore Aurelia.
Damon was a bit better, just nodding lightly as a response.
But there was no expression on his face, completely different from his attitude toward Olivia.
As for Tomas and Margaret, they weren't much better.
They looked at Aurelia meaningfully and smiled, saying, "Tonight is really lively."
Evelyn had been watching them the whole time, and seeing this scene, she almost laughed out loud.
"I haven't seen such a shameless person in a long time. Does she really think that with Mr. Hamilton here, others will think more highly of her, or even compare her to Olivia?
Look at who those people are. What a self-important clown!"
Benjamin and the others also watched the scene with an attitude of watching a show.
Olivia pressed her lips together without much reaction.
She wasn't stupid either. She could see what Aurelia was thinking.
But no matter how much she did, as long as Andrew didn't respond, her scheme couldn't succeed.
Olivia trusted Andrew, so she wasn't worried at all.
Patrick and Jessica, perhaps also feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward, quickly spoke up to join the conversation, "These days, this is the first time I've seen Marigold attend a party. It seems your health has really improved."
As soon as Jessica spoke, Marigold smiled and replied, "Exactly, thanks to Olivia. She's really capable."
She praised her as if Olivia were her own child.
Jessica also cooperated very well, saying, "Yes, Ms. Smith is truly capable."
Last time, she had also saved Anna.
However, because Finnegan was still there, Jessica couldn't praise too directly.
Fortunately, Finnegan didn't say anything.
Aurelia watched everything in front of her deviate from her expected scenario. She was furious inside, but there was nothing she could do.
As they chatted, it was finally time for the ball to begin.
The guests at the scene, having watched enough excitement, were now eager to try.
Some who had already taken a liking to each other were preparing to enter the dance floor together.
It was at this moment that Aurelia felt her opportunity had finally come.
She looked at Andrew with bright eyes and suddenly said, "Andrew, the Sinclair family invited me to dance the opening dance tonight. I didn't find a dance partner in advance. Can you dance with me?"
The scene seemed to fall silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes turned toward them.
They looked at Aurelia with strange expressions.
Rodolfo, Vaughn, and Victoria even frowned.
Almost everyone knew that Andrew's girlfriend was Olivia.
Olivia was still right beside Andrew, so how could she ask such a question?
Evelyn couldn't hold back and said with disgust on the spot, "So this is the Kingsley family's daughter. So shameless! I've really learned something today!"
Aurelia heard that this was an insult directed at her, and her expression stiffened for a moment.
But she quickly recovered.
She spoke calmly, "It's just a social dance. It shouldn't be a problem, right? I'm sure Ms. Smith wouldn't mind?
You know, in Harmony City's upper circle, dancing is the most common thing, especially at receptions. Everyone has temporary dance partners."
The people present reacted differently.
Rodolfo was about to explode with anger.
Victoria and Vaughn frowned.
Marigold and the others also looked at Aurelia meaningfully.
Evelyn and the other young people collectively rolled their eyes, showing no respect at all.
They felt that she could say such things and it was truly disgusting!
Anna's family of three also had quite complex expressions.
They really hadn't expected that Aurelia would invite Andrew to dance.
Olivia looked at the hypocritical Aurelia in front of her, her expression also somewhat hard to describe.
She had to admit, Aurelia was somewhat clever.
To achieve her goal, she didn't forget to drag her into it.
She spoke so righteously that if Olivia refused, she would seem ignorant and petty instead.
At the same time, it would make the Hamilton family look down on her even more.
But did Aurelia think she could manipulate her like this?
Olivia's lips curved into a proper smile as she said calmly, "Ms. Kingsley, you're asking the wrong person, aren't you? Since you want to invite Andrew to dance, shouldn't you ask him? Why ask me?
Whether he wants to dance or not naturally depends on his own wishes. I can't make decisions for him!
If he doesn't want to, I can't force him to dance with you, can I?"