Chapter 126

But Tessa wasn’t about to let Aurora off the hook so easily, not when her plan had just fallen apart. She quickly caught up, still clinging to her act of concern as she reached for the zipper at the back of Aurora’s dress. “Sister, let me help you. I’ll come with you. This hall is huge. It’s better if we look out for each other.”

As she spoke, she naturally moved in closer, her right hand inching forward.

Aurora saw right through her.

She sidestepped without hesitation, irritation flickering in her eyes. “I said I’ve got it. I don’t need help.”

She’d already arranged for someone to wait in the dressing room.

The moment she put the dress on, something had felt off.

So, she played along, just to confirm her suspicion that it was her dear sister who’d tampered with it.

Judging by Tessa’s urgency, she had guessed right.

Meanwhile, the dance continued behind them, but the subtle tugging between the two had already begun to draw attention.

Aurora noticed the curious stares and didn’t want to make a bigger scene.

She was just about to call Tessa out when a stir rippled through the crowd near the entrance. Whispers rose in waves.

“Oh my god, who is that?”

“I’ve never seen a man with that kind of presence before.”

“Forget the presence, just look at that face. Even in the entertainment industry, he’d be top-tier.”

A woman nearby giggled dreamily. “He looked right at me just now. I swear my legs nearly gave out.”

“Whose son is that? He’s so stunning–how is this the first time I’m seeing him?”

Then someone made the connection. “Wait… I think he’s the younger heiress of the Walton family’s husband.”

“Now that you mention it, I think you’re right. And dressed like that? He’s absolutely breathtaking.”

Aurora followed their gaze–and sure enough, walking toward her through the crowd was none other than Lucas.

Dressed in a deep navy suit, he looked effortlessly elegant.

The color matched Aurora’s strapless gown perfectly, as if the two had been styled together.

Already born with striking features, Lucas looked even more refined tonight after a carefully styled makeover.

He was like a cool, ethereal figure who had wandered into the mortal world by mistake.

Aurora’s eyes followed his every movement across the room, and for a moment, she had to admit that her heart wasn’t just stirred, it was racing.

With each step he took, the crowd instinctively made way for him.

And Lucas‘ focus never strayed–he was heading straight toward her.

Tessa stood at her side, jealousy flickering in her eyes.

But she quickly masked it with practiced ease.

She lifted her chin with pride, her gaze cold and dismissive as it landed on Lucas.

“He’s just a pretty face,” she scoffed inwardly.

No way he could compare to Julian.

After all, the Hayes family was one of the most powerful in Ravenshore, arguably even stronger than the Waltons.

As for Aurora’s man?

No one even knew where he came from.

Beyond the handsome appearance, there was no trace of background, no family name, no status. He probably just came from some average household.

With that thought, Tessa tilted her chin slightly higher, the smirk at her lips deepening.

“Aurora, you’ll never be more than a shadow beneath my feet.”

Lucas stopped in front of Aurora, his expression gentle, his voice soft as he spoke to her.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s fine. I’m just glad you came–I understand,” Aurora replied with a soft smile, full of warmth.

Lucas‘ gaze dropped to the faint red stain on her gown. His eyes narrowed slightly.

He had clearly missed something.