"Hey, Alice, what brings you here?" Rachel's voice echoed across the courtyard as she spotted Natalie on the brink of entering the mansion.
Perhaps the distance muffled the sound, or Natalie was simply too engrossed in her thoughts to notice. Either way, she offered no response and proceeded into the living room, accompanied by Mary.
Rachel's patience wore thin in an instant. She marched over, intent on seizing Natalie's arm, but her grip was too forceful. Instead of halting Natalie, she ended up ripping the delicate fabric of her gown.
A moment of stunned silence fell upon both Rachel and Natalie.
Mary was quick to react, her voice trembling with panic. "Ms. Cullen... are you alright?"
Rachel swiftly regained her composure, her face contorted in feigned anger. "This is entirely your doing. You brought this upon yourself!"
"Rachel!"
Adrian's cool voice echoed from the staircase. His gaze swept over Natalie's disheveled state, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. "Apologize!"
"I refuse to apologize! She is clearly at fault. Why should I be the one to apologize?" Rachel stomped her foot, shot Natalie a glare, and stormed off to her room.
Adrian approached Natalie, attempting to explain. "Rachel has been spoiled since childhood. She's not inherently malicious. Please, don't be upset."
Natalie could see the affection Adrian held for Rachel.
She chuckled lightly, a teasing lilt to her voice, "It's alright. She's merely upset that her dear brother has been snatched away by me."
Adrian was taken aback. 'Alice' had always been guarded around him; this was the first time he'd seen such a radiant smile on her face. A warmth spread through his heart, one he couldn't quite comprehend.
Oblivious to his internal turmoil, Natalie glanced down at the torn part of her dress, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Would it be disrespectful to meet your grandfather in this state?"
Adrian pondered for a moment, then took her hand, leading her upstairs. "Come with me."
He guided her to his room and from his closet, he produced a brand-new pale yellow dress adorned with green accents. His expression remained impassive. "Change into this. I'll wait outside."
Natalie was taken aback. The dress was clearly expensive, the soft green trim adding a fresh, vibrant touch. But what puzzled her most was why Adrian would have a dress in his room.
Could it be... something Alice left behind?
The thought brought a pang of loss to her heart, a feeling she didn't even recognize.
Once she had changed, she opened the door. Adrian, who had been facing the other way, turned around. The sight of her left him momentarily breathless.
The thin green straps of the dress accentuated Natalie's slender waist, the pale yellow fabric making her glow like a butterfly in the sunlight.
Adrian managed to suppress his astonishment, stepped forward, and wrapped his arms around her waist. He couldn't resist planting a light kiss on her lips. "Alice, you look stunning in that dress."
Natalie was caught off guard, instinctively disregarding the name he had used, and asked him in a hushed voice, "Do I truly look good?"
He responded earnestly, "You look beautiful."
"Let's go. My grandfather is waiting for us." He held her close as they descended the staircase.
As Adrian turned away, his expression was a mix of emotions. His mind was filled with the memory of a little girl in a buttercup yellow dress, her laughter ringing in the air as she ran, turning her head to call out to him, "Adrian..."