Chapter 015
Kelvin stepped forward, stunned by what he’d just witnessed. “Miss Blackwood… You-”
Mandy raised one hand, silencing him without a glance.
“I have no business with you, Mr. Hartley,” she said coolly, her voice sharp. Her eyes didn’t leave Jennifer.
She took a step forward. “Apologize to her.”
Her voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument.
Alina stared, surprised by Mandy’s change in tone. She had always seemed graceful and composed, but now she spoke with clear
authority like someone used to being obeyed.
Was this who they were behind closed doors? Commanding. Ruthless when they need to be?
Jennifer opened her mouth, then closed it. Her pride clashed violently with the humiliation burning inside her.
“I…”
“If you can’t,” Mandy said smoothly, pulling out her phone from her purse, her gaze drifting to Kelvin, “then I’ll have security
drag you and your plus-one out like animals.”
Jennifer’s shoulders tensed. She clenched her fists at her sides, then slowly turned to Alina. With great effort, she stepped closer,
her knee nearly touching the floor to apologize.
“I hate fake apologies,” Alina said softly, stepping back. “So I’d rather not take it.”
Jennifer bit her lip, her whole body shaking with rage, but she swallowed it all.
“…I’m sorry,” she muttered, the words dry and bitter.
Mandy turned to Alina and let out a soft sigh, her gaze falling on the stained fabric.
“This is completely ruined. With fabric like this, the stain won’t come out.” Mandy muttered, her eyes settling on her diamond- studded watch, her expression suddenly shifting.
“Oh no,” she gasped. “They’ll be here in less than fifteen minutes.” She said.
She turned to Alina, her eyes wide with urgency. “Grandma can’t see you like this. I’ll be scolded”
Before Alina could ask anything, Mandy grabbed her hand gently and started walking.
“Come with me,” she said quickly, guiding her out of the hall.
People moved aside as they passed, some murmuring among themselves.
“She must be the woman from Aiden’s scandal,”
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Chapter VIS
“I pity the lady who tried to get on Mandy’s bad side”
Jennifer stood still, angry at the comments. She wanted to scream, to tell them to shut up.
T40 DUNUS
Her fingers dug into her palms. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from shame, but from rage. She stomped her heel on the floor,
breathing heavily.
“Jennie.” Kelvin started but Jennifer raised a hand, silencing him.
“I swear, Alina.” she said under her breath, storming out of the room toward the restroom. “I won’t let you get away with this.”
Mandy and Alina entered a more secluded part of the hall, which led to the exclusive wing of the Blackwood estate. Alina’s eyes widened in awe. Everything gleamed with class and elegance….these people weren’t just rich, they were soaked in luxury.
Mandy led her up the grand staircase into her room. Without wasting time, she went straight to her wardrobe and pulled out
several brand-new, untouched outfits. She laid them out and told Alina to pick one.
But Alina just stood there, her eyes darting between the outfits. They were all too elegant, too perfect. How could she choose?
Seeing her hesitation, Mandy simply picked one out for her.
Next, her gaze moved to Alina’s messy hair. Without asking, she started to fix it, brushing it, then carefully applied a touch of
makeup from her own collection.
“Now, Grandma’s going to be stunned,” Mandy muttered with a small grin, turning Alina toward the full-length mirror.
“How is it?” she asked.
Alina looked at her reflection and smiled softly. “It’s… pretty.”
“Yeah, that’s because you’re pretty.” She smiled. “My brother does have eyes for pretty things.” Mandy muttered. Before Alina
could respond, Mandy checked the time and gasped.
“Come on!” She grabbed Alina’s hand, and the two of them hurried back toward the main party hall.
As they stepped in, they spotted Jessica standing beside Grandma Linda. Just then Aiden walked in, looking devastatingly
handsome in a tailored suit.
The guests began to settle. Mandy led Alina over to them, and gently nudged her forward. Alina greeted the family politely, though
she was a little nervous.
To her surprise, Grandma Linda pulled her into a warm hug.
Jessica gave her a soft smile and kissed both her cheeks.
Then she turned to Aiden who just continued to stare at her, his expression unreadable.
Alina stepped forward and gave him a light hug. For a second, She wasn’t sure he would respond…but then he hugged her back and
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Chapter 015
pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Grandma Linda smiled in satisfaction, then cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
+25 BONUS
“Well,” she began. “I know it’s my birthday, but I’d like to share something more meaningful with you all tonight. There have been… whispers. That my grandson may not be interested in women.”
A pause followed, then a ripple of uncomfortable laughter.
“But I assure you,” she said with a smile, resting a hand on Alina’s back, “he simply hadn’t found the right one.”
Her eyes shone with pride.
“But now… he has.”
The crowd clapped politely, a few murmurs rising.
Alina stood there staring at Aiden.
‘What do they know? she thought, stealing a quick glance at him. ‘I’m just the pretend girlfriend. He doesn’t even like me…’
Across the room, Kelvin and Jennifer clenched their fists at the same time, anger building deep inside them.
***
After the party, Alina quietly walked over to Grandma Linda.
“I think it’s time for me to leave,” she said politely.
Grandma Linda reached out and took her hand. “Aiden, don’t be cold. See your fiancée out properly.”
Turning back to Alina, she offered a kind smile. “Do come visit me at the family home sometime, dear.”
Alina hesitated, glancing at Aiden before giving a small nod. “I will, Grandma.”
She turned to Mandy. “Thank you… for everything today.”
Mandy gave her a soft nod in return.
With a final wave to the family, Aiden led her out of the hall. They walked in silence until they were outside, away from the noise
and flashing lights.
When they reached the car, Alina paused, turning slightly and extending her hand toward him.
“Well, I suppose this is the end, so let’s-”
“Let’s pretend a bit longer,” Aiden cut in, his voice low but firm.
He looked at her, his expression unreadable as usual. “Name your price. Whatever it is. Even if you’re using me to get back at your
ex or whatever.”
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Alina blinked, caught off guard by his sudden words. Her brow creased in confusion. What was he saying? Wasn’t he the one so eager to end the pretense? So why was he asking to keep it going?
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