Chapter 172 172
Jacqueline spent some time tidying up the house before retreating to her room to prepare for the party.
She lingered in the shower longer than usual, letting the warm water soothe her muscles and calm her thoughts. When she finally stepped out, she wrapped a towel around her body and walked into her room, feeling refreshed.
She decided to do her makeup first.
From yesterday’s shopping trip, she had only bought a single lip color and a tube of mascara. It wasn’t much, but she knew how to make it work. She dabbed two small dots of the lip color onto her cheeks and gently blended them with her fingers until they created a soft, natural blush. Then she applied a generous coat of mascara, the dark lashes instantly making her warm brown eyes stand out.
Finally, she brushed the lip color across her lips.
And just like that, her makeup was done.
The dress she had chosen had been delivered that morning. She slipped into it carefully, smoothing the fabric once it was on. It fit her perfectly, hugging her in all the right places.
She looked beautiful.
After blow-drying her hair, she gathered it into a loose, messy bun, intentionally pulling out a few strands so they framed her face softly. When her eyes drifted to her bare earlobes, she remembered the earrings she had bought the day before. She slipped them on, adding a delicate sparkle to her look.
A pair of heels completed the outfit.
She was ready.
When she descended the stairs, she found Mathieu already waiting for her in the hall.
“Strange,” he muttered.
Jacqueline frowned, glancing down at herself.
“What?” she asked, confused.
“Isn’t it strange that you actually look pretty today?” Mathieu said skeptically.
Jacqueline rolled her eyes.
Siblings would rather die than compliment each other sincerely.
“Well, it’s normal for you to look like a doofus,” she muttered casually while inspecting her nails.
Mathieu rolled his eyes dramatically.
“JEALOUS,” he sang.
“Do I look like I care?” he muttered irritably.
Jacqueline chuckled at his annoyance.
“Damien isn’t home,” Mathieu informed her.
Her brows creased instantly.
Where could he have gone? He was supposed to escort them tonight.
Before she could question it further, a knock sounded at the door. Mathieu turned and walked over to answer it.
When he opened the door, Alexandre stood there.
“Hey, little champ,” Alexandre greeted, ruffling Mathieu’s hair.
Mathieu frowned immediately.
Jacqueline approached them just as Alexandre jerked his head toward the driveway.
“Come on, let’s go. Damien asked me to take you guys to the manor.”
She nodded, and the siblings followed him outside.
The drive was incredibly short. Within three minutes, they arrived at the massive mansion.
Jacqueline stepped out of the car as Mathieu moved to her side, instinctively taking her hand. Crowded places like this made him uncomfortable. She squeezed his hand reassuringly while Alexandre led them inside.
The moment they entered, Jacqueline felt a wave of awe.
The manor was enormous, decorated beautifully with elegant floral arrangements. Everything from the furniture to the chandeliers radiated wealth and sophistication.
“Jacq!”
Sofía’s cheerful voice rang out as she approached quickly and wrapped Jacqueline in a warm hug.
Jacqueline returned the embrace with a bright smile.
“I’m so happy you came,” Sofía said happily before pulling Mathieu into a hug as well.
Surprisingly, Mathieu hugged her back.
Fernando approached next, and Jacqueline greeted him with a side hug.
“Congratulations, sir,” she said warmly.
The older man who looked strikingly like a mature version of Damien smiled softly as he thanked her.
Just then more guests began arriving, and the couple excused themselves to greet them.
“Your girls are over there,” Alexandre said, pointing toward where Eugénie and Charlotte were standing.
Jacqueline shot him a knowing smirk before heading toward them.
Both girls waved excitedly when they saw her.
“You both look beautiful,” Jacqueline complimented.
Charlotte immediately blushed while Eugénie waved the compliment away dramatically.
“Oh please,” Eugénie muttered quietly. “All the men here are staring at you.”
Jacqueline frowned slightly.
“Why did I even come here?” Mathieu grumbled while sipping his juice.
He clearly disliked crowded gatherings.
Jacqueline quickly stepped in.
“I understand,” she said gently. “If you’d like, you could stay in my room and watch some movies.”
Charlotte immediately brightened.
“Yes! That would be perfect,” she suggested.
Mathieu’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, that would be excellent!” he chirped enthusiastically.
Everyone burst out laughing.
Charlotte took his hand and led him away.
Jacqueline picked up a glass of wine and casually scanned the room. Almost immediately, she noticed a few men glancing in her direction.
“Why are they staring?” she asked Eugénie.
Eugénie scoffed.
“Well, new girls don’t show up in this town very often. And you look incredible tonight. Of course they’re going to stare. I bet a few of them will try to approach you.”
She spoke in a hushed tone, which seemed unnecessary since they were standing far from the crowd.
“I doubt it,” Jacqueline replied, taking a sip of her wine.
“I’ll bet a hundred,” Eugénie grinned.
Jacqueline sighed.
“I’m practically broke right now, remember?”
“No worries,” Eugénie continued thoughtfully. “I think three or four will approach you tonight.”
“How can you be so sure?” Jacqueline asked.
Eugénie stared at her like the answer was obvious.
“Did you even look in the mirror? You look absolutely stunning.”
Jacqueline blinked at her.
This girl definitely didn’t talk like someone her age.
“Uh… thanks,” she murmured awkwardly.
“I’ve had three glasses of juice. I need to pee,” Eugénie whispered suddenly before rushing off.
Jacqueline sighed and found an empty couch nearby, settling down for a moment.
A few minutes later, she felt someone approach.
She turned to see a man standing beside her. He had a goatee and a lean frame.
“Hi,” he said politely. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
Jacqueline forced a polite smile.
“Yeah, I’m only here for a few days. Staying with a friend.”
He leaned slightly closer.
“Would you like to join me for a drink? Or maybe we could skip the party altogether?”
His tone carried an obvious implication.
“No, thank you,” she replied coolly.
He scowled and walked away.
Barely a minute passed before someone else sat down beside her.
Again?
She glanced sideways.
This man was broader, muscular, with sharp features that gave him a rugged kind of handsomeness.
“Excuse me,” he said calmly. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but you owe me a drink.”
Jacqueline turned fully toward him, meeting his dark brown eyes.
“Really?” she asked calmly.
“Yes,” he said with a grin. “Because when I saw you, I dropped mine.”
Jacqueline couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her.
“That was cheesy,” she admitted, still smiling. “But it was a good one.”
He chuckled.
“I thought so too.”
She felt oddly comfortable talking to him.
Completely unaware that across the room, someone’s furious gaze was fixed on them burning holes straight through the man sitting beside her.