Right after that, a taxi screeched to a halt, its tired engine coughing out a cloud of exhaust fumes, the security guard, clad in his formal attire, moved swiftly to intercept it. His expression, a mix of confusion and disapproval, betrayed his instinct to redirect the vehicle away from the grandeur of the event. However, his hand hesitated mid-air as a passenger within the taxi produced an invitation card, silencing his objections with a simple yet authoritative gesture.In the midst of the crowd, curious whispers and pointed stares followed the taxi's unconventional arrival, casting a shadow of intrigue over the otherwise glamorous affair. Alana, her demeanor exuding an air of refined elegance, exchanged a disdainful glance with Kevin Lang, the esteemed doctor, as they both watched the scene unfold before them. Brian, his polished facade momentarily faltering, furrowed his brow in disbelief, while Nancy, her features twisted into a mask of haughty superiority, raised a disdainful ey
Brian, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, voiced his incredulity with a mixture of shock and disdain. "Who is that guy? Is he Christina's date? Has she gone mad?" he muttered, his words tinged with disbelief.Nancy, ever quick to seize an opportunity to disparage, scoffed at Christina's choice. "Christina is stupid. She chose that garbage over you," she sneered, her tone dripping with contempt as she shot Brian a smug glance.Meanwhile, Kevin, standing not far from Nancy and Brian, widening his eyes in disbelief, struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing. "Is it... Calvin?" he asked, his disbelief evident in his voice as he glanced back and forth between Christina and Calvin.Meanwhile, Alana, her jealousy rearing its ugly head, refused to accept the possibility of Calvin's genuine intentions. "He came here on purpose. I knew it! He wants to make me jealous," she muttered, her voice tinged with bitterness as she watched Calvin and Christina's interaction with a mix
As Kevin's words hung in the air, Alana wasted no time joining the conversation, eager to add her own barbs to the mix. "Frankly, I'm surprised to see you here, Calvin," she remarked, her tone dripping with thinly veiled contempt. Her gaze swept over Calvin, from his meticulously tailored suit to his polished shoes, with a disdainful flick of her eyes."That suit you're wearing," she continued, her voice laced with skepticism, "it's far too expensive for someone like you. Where did you get the money for it? Borrowing, perhaps?" Her words were like icy daggers, cutting through the already tense atmosphere, eliciting murmurs of agreement from the surrounding guests.Calvin, however, remained composed in the face of her accusations. He met Alana's gaze squarely, his expression unwavering. "Alana, that is none of your concern," he stated firmly, his voice tinged with defiance. "You claim to be from high society, but your attitude doesn't reflect it. It's true that money can't buy you clas
Christina's expression softened as she leaned in closer to Calvin, her voice barely above a whisper amidst the hum of the bustling ballroom. "I'm truly sorry about how they treated you," she murmured, her tone laced with regret. "They can be insufferable at times, but please don't let it ruin your evening."Calvin met her gaze with a grateful smile, his eyes reflecting warmth. "Thank you, Christina," he replied softly, his voice carrying a note of appreciation. "Honestly, I've dealt with worse. Their opinions don't matter to me."Christina breathed a sigh of relief, her features softening with genuine concern. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, her eyes conveying gratitude. "You deserve better than their judgmental attitudes."Their exchange was brief but meaningful, a silent understanding passing between them amidst the anticipation that filled the room. As the charity ball was on the brink of commencing, the master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding the at
Calvin and Christina glanced in Nancy's direction, noticing her intense glare directed at them. Nancy's voice, edged with anger. Her voice was full of anger, “I will ask again. Are you talking about me?”Christina responded nonchalantly, "Well, if we were, would it be a problem?" Her casual demeanor seemed to irk Nancy even more, who let out an exasperated growl.Turning her attention back to the fashion show, Christina maintained her composed stance, refusing to be drawn into further confrontation with Nancy. Calvin just smiled, knowing that Christina and Nancy were like fire and ice. As the show progressed, showcasing one exquisite ensemble after another, the atmosphere in the room was electric with anticipation.As the MC's voice reverberated through the grand ballroom, guests turned their attention to the sleek tablets stationed at their tables. The devices glowed softly in the dim light, displaying a dazzling array of haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles showcased in the fir
Calvin turned to face Louis squarely, his expression unwavering as he addressed the barb thrown his way. "I simply wasn't interested in the showcased collections," he stated calmly, refusing to let Louis's comment ruffle his feathers.Kevin Lang, seated not far from Louis, chuckled at Calvin's response, his amusement evident. "Oh, come on, Calvin," he interjected, his tone mocking. "Let's be honest here. We all know your financial situation. You just don't want to admit it." His words were punctuated by the laughter of those within earshot, the air thick with mockery.Alana joined in with a smirk, her amusement mirroring Kevin's. "Looks like you've been caught, Calvin," she teased, her tone dripping with condescension. The laughter around the table swelled, fueled by the derision directed at Calvin.Kevin, seizing the opportunity to further belittle Calvin, leaned forward with a smirk. "Christina only invited you for entertainment, Calvin," he declared, his words cutting. "While the r
Christina intervened once again, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade as she addressed Kevin Lang, her words laced with authority. "Dr. Lang, please maintain your composure and refrain from disrupting the proceedings," she admonished, her gaze unwavering.Alana, however, wasted no time in leaping to Kevin's defense, her features twisted with disdain as she hurled accusations towards Calvin. "Calvin has no place gracing the halls of such esteemed gatherings. His presence here is nothing short of discomfort for everyone," she argued vehemently, shooting a venomous glare in Calvin's direction.Calvin swallowed hard, a bitter taste rising in his throat as he felt the sting of Alana's words. How had he once found solace in her presence, he wondered, now feeling only a sense of betrayal.But Christina refused to let Alana's accusations go unchallenged. "Calvin has earned his place here. He's a respected individual," she declared emphatically, her voice ringing with conviction.
After the brief intermission, the MC's voice resonated through the grand hall, its timbre commanding attention as it reverberated off the ornate walls, signaling the resumption of the auction proceedings. With a flourish, he gestured towards the draped pedestal at the center of the stage, where the next item awaited—a gleaming, intricately carved chest adorned with gilded accents, purported to hold within it a health-enhancing antique of unparalleled rarity: a pearl from the Eastern Sea.As the spotlight illuminated the chest, casting a radiant glow upon its surface, a hushed murmur swept through the assembled crowd, each whispered word tinged with anticipation and awe. The mere mention of such a coveted treasure sent a ripple of excitement coursing through the room, igniting a fervor of whispered conversations and eager glances exchanged between guests.With a practiced flair for dramatic effect, the MC continued, his voice rich with gravitas as he regaled the audience with tales of