Chapter 29: Getting Better at Flirting With Him

Maggie's gown was pure white, devoid of diamonds, beads, or lace. Its most captivating detail was the ingeniously crafted shoulder sleeves. One side stood stiffly, forming a semi-circular shape that wrapped around her shoulder. The other side was bare, with the sleeve extending to her elbow. Cut and sewn from stiff gauze, it resembled white peony petals or feathers.

The waist hugged her hips, accentuating her curves. The skirt was shorter in front, longer in back—about twenty centimeters longer—beautifully resembling a swan's tail.

Simple and elegant, the gown relied on the natural luster of the fabric, yet it looked dazzling.

"Take a picture of me," Maggie said to the stylist, smiling. She wanted to capture this moment and share it with Nathael. In her previous life, when she married him, she had been thin, disfigured, and blind. But didn't he deserve to see her at her best?

"Okay, it's done, Ms. Adam."

Maggie retrieved her phone and examined the photos. The stylist, unable to resist, had taken several extra shots. Maggie liked them. "They're beautiful," she thanked the stylist.

The stylist blushed. "You're more beautiful than any celebrity I've ever met."

Her words were not flattery, but a simple truth. Maggie was beautiful, but celebrities benefited from professional styling, photography, and extensive post-production work. Maggie, however, simply stood there, stunningly beautiful without needing special posing or lighting.

"Thank you. Your styling is beautiful, too," Maggie replied, selecting a close-up half-body shot to send to Nathael via WhatsApp.

She paused, realizing she didn't have his number; they'd only exchanged text messages. Text messages would suffice, she decided.

Maggie sent the multimedia message at considerable expense and put away her phone.

Meanwhile, Nathael was in a meeting, reviewing project progress. The man at the head of the table, handsome but cold, possessed a deep, unfathomable gaze that made even seasoned executives nervous. Suddenly, a phone notification broke the silence, startling everyone.

All eyes turned to Nathael, including the foreign executive mid-report.

"Excuse me." Nathael's phone screen briefly illuminated. A message from Maggie. He checked it.

A half-body photo appeared: Maggie in delicate makeup, her hair styled up, wearing the elegant white dress—reminiscent of a swan.

Nathael paused, his gaze lingering on the photo. After a moment, he placed his phone on the table. "Continue," he instructed in a deep voice.

"Yes."

The foreign language resumed, but Nathael couldn't help thinking of the photo. His gaze darkened. She was becoming better at captivating him.

Sunlight streamed through large French windows, bathing the room in warmth. Nathael's mood improved, and the meeting relaxed considerably.

Just as Maggie put away her phone, Olivia entered. "Maggie, how are the preparations?" she began, then stopped, captivated by Maggie's appearance.

Olivia knew Maggie was stunning, but each encounter left her mesmerized. The Camerons had always treated Maggie well, hoping to secure a powerful marriage alliance for their family. With Maggie's looks and background, it wouldn't be difficult. They'd plotted to place her with Nathael, hoping to win his favor, but their attempts had failed. Now, they'd risked using their foster daughter to demand an explanation from Nathael, potentially damaging Maggie's reputation.

Olivia's gaze softened. With Maggie's beauty, finding her another reputable family wouldn't be impossible. They still had options.

"Maggie, you are absolutely lovely! This jewelry suits you perfectly!" Olivia exclaimed sincerely, unafraid that Maggie would outshine her daughter. The more beautiful Maggie was, the better for the family.

The banquet was about to begin. Guests arrived steadily.

Maggie and Olivia joined them. Sierra, in a pale pink gown, stood amidst a group of girls, a pampered princess, smiling brightly with an air of arrogance and innocence. Sierra's pink diamond dress was opulent; her hair styled in princess curls; she wore a diamond necklace featuring a bow and two delicate strands of yellow diamonds, shaped like butterflies, which were lifelike and vibrant.

"Sierra, is that the 4.5 million Terra & Co. necklace, 'Whisper of the Fluttering Wings'?" someone exclaimed, admiring the necklace.

"Is it? Isn't it stunning?" Sierra asked smugly, tilting her head.

"Breathtaking! I heard it was recently auctioned. I never expected you to own it!" "Let me try it on later!"

"Yes, Sierra, your parents really spoil you," others chimed in.

But some disliked Sierra. A woman in blue sneered, "What's the point of expensive? It's gaudy. I think Maggie's necklace is more beautiful."

All eyes turned to Maggie. Astonishment flickered. "Sierra, your sister is so stunning! She looks like a goddess!" "Is her emerald necklace expensive? It's breathtaking!" "Sierra, why didn't you choose a green necklace? Emeralds would suit you better!" "Yeah, didn't you get to choose first? Why not the more expensive one?"

Sierra was greatly upset. "Just wait. My sister spoils me most. If I ask her, she'll give me that necklace."