She rushed through the long speech, her breathing growing labored. It seed her overwhelming emotions had triggered a heart attack.
Unbeknownst to her, this explosive news spread like wildfire.
With so many people present, everyone learned in an instant how Quentin Grant and his old fla had broken up.
This was the real reason.
Quentin Grant was stunned. He looked down at the woman clutching his pant leg. Though a mask hid part of her face, the tears in her eyes couldn’t conceal her current state.
The lower half of her face was pale and bloodless.
"Get up first." After a mont’s pause, he finally spoke.
Tearfully, she shook her head, gasping for breath. "I won’t get up unless you forgive ."
Quentin Grant lowered his gaze. He suddenly bent down, his tone much softer than before, and extended a hand to her. "Take my hand. Get up."
His words were t with dead silence from the entire crowd.
Because Quentin Grant’s response all but confird that what the woman pleading for his love had said was very likely true.
Nora Ainsworth’s ears felt as if they were blocked. She couldn’t hear the surrounding chatter, her gaze fixed solely on his actions.
This uncontrollable train of thought made her lose herself in an instant.
She saw Catherine Callahan’s hand grip his tightly before she threw herself into his arms. He didn’t push her away imdiately; instead, his hands steadied Catherine’s faltering body.
Then, he whispered a few words in Catherine Callahan’s ear, and the two of them left, one after the other.
Mrs. Grant could barely stay on her feet, but she maintained the composure expected of her.
She forced a smile and explained, "That woman has always wanted to get back together with our Quentin. How could that be possible? I would never agree to it. Our Quentin just felt sorry for her."
Everyone nodded along, believing that a woman with a congenital heart condition and a hereditary eye disease would never successfully marry into the Grant Family.
So, although there was so gossip, no one took it too seriously.
After a mont, the crowd moved on from the little interruption and the party continued.
So of the socialites who had co for Quentin Grant were disappointed, but not enough to leave. After all, more targets ant more opportunities.
Ethan Ellsworth noticed Nora Ainsworth standing in the crowd. Guessing she had seen the whole scene, he nudged Herman Hawthorne.
The two exchanged a look and walked over to her together.
"Are you okay?" Ethan Ellsworth asked in a low voice.
Nora Ainsworth gave a faint, composed smile. "I’m fine. Are you two leaving?"
Ethan Ellsworth feigned surprise. "Leaving? Why would we? I haven’t even danced yet. Besides, our mothers are watching us. Leaving now would be suicide."
Herman Hawthorne chid in, "Yeah, Nora. Why don’t you have a dance with Ethan?"
Nora Ainsworth suppressed the ache in her heart. "Alright."
Ethan Ellsworth excitedly extended his hand. She placed hers in his, and they soon moved to the dance floor, gliding gracefully with perfect coordination.
Almost everyone wanted to know who the woman dancing with Ethan Ellsworth was, including Ethan’s own mother.
It was the first ti she had seen her son dance with a woman, which she took as a good sign.
"Herman’s mother, who is that woman dancing with my little rascal?"
Mrs. Hawthorne smiled. "She’s the date my son brought, just as a plus-one. Looks like she’s hit it off with your Ethan, hasn’t she?"
Mrs. Ellsworth’s eyes were fixed on them. "What’s her family background?"
Mrs. Hawthorne shook her head. "I don’t know. Oh, here cos my son now. Let’s ask him."
Herman Hawthorne walked up to them. "Mom, what are you asking about?"
"What else? What’s the na of the woman dancing with Ethan?"
Herman Hawthorne grinned. "Why are you asking, Mom? Have you already taken a liking to her as a potential daughter-in-law?"
Mrs. Hawthorne retorted irritably, "So I can’t ask unless I’ve taken a liking to her?"
"Her na is Nora Ainsworth." Herman Hawthorne was confident that just saying her na would be enough for his mother to understand.
"Nora Ainsworth? The sa Nora Ainsworth who was kicked out of the Ainsworth Family?" Mrs. Hawthorne’s expression changed, and she grew angry. "How do you know her? Don’t you know she’s bad luck?"
"Mom, she works for . What bad luck? That’s nonsense."
Mrs. Ellsworth, however, was surprisingly silent, until Mrs. Hawthorne called out to her, "Ethan’s mom, you heard that. The one dancing with your Ethan is—"
"I know Nora Ainsworth’s mother," Mrs. Ellsworth said slowly and simply. "We were classmates in the sa class back when we were young."
Mrs. Hawthorne was surprised. "How co I’ve never heard you ntion this?"
Mrs. Ellsworth sighed. "It’s ancient history now. When Joel Chaucer was young, few could compare to her. She was beautiful and talented. So many n adored her, but she turned them all away. I’m not sure of the specific reasons, but I never expected she would end up in such a state."
"Then who is this woman’s husband?" Mrs. Hawthorne imdiately asked.
Mrs. Ellsworth shook her head. "I don’t know."
She looked at the pair on the dance floor, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Like mother, like daughter. Her daughter is certainly just as impressive."
Mrs. Hawthorne frowned. "Impressive, yes. How could she not be? She dared to reject the Lynch Family’s marriage proposal."
Mrs. Ellsworth shot her a look. Mrs. Hawthorne followed her gaze and saw Mrs. Lynch and Leon Lynch arriving.
Leon Lynch had a penchant for brightly colored clothes. He was dressed in a matching set of erald green capris and a top, with a white hat on his head, giving him a casual air.
Since only the young won were wearing masks, Mrs. Lynch spotted the two matriarchs right away.
She greeted them with a smile, "Madam Ellsworth, Mrs. Hawthorne, good evening."
The two nodded in return. "Mrs. Lynch, you’ve arrived."
Mrs. Lynch bead. "How could I not? As long as my son’s marriage isn’t settled, I can’t find a mont’s peace."
Mrs. Hawthorne chuckled. "You have a way with words. Our sons are in their late twenties too. It’s all about finding love on their own terms these days. It’s no use for us parents to be anxious. I’m not worried about my son, though." She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. "He’s so handso and capable, plenty of girls would be dying to be our family’s daughter-in-law!"
Mrs. Lynch nodded in agreent. "Yes, that’s true, but as parents, we still hope to hold our grandchildren sooner rather than later. Just think of those chubby, adorable little babies. What grandmother wouldn’t want that?"
Mrs. Hawthorne and Mrs. Ellsworth shared an awkward laugh, while ntally cursing out their own sons.
Leon Lynch scanned the area but found no trace of Nora Ainsworth. ’She probably wouldn’t co to a place like this,’ he thought.
But as his gaze fell upon the dance floor, it naturally landed on a woman in a white dress.
Her back looked just like Nora’s.
Until the dance ca to an end.
Looking refreshed and cheerful, Ethan Ellsworth ca over to them with Nora Ainsworth.
Nora Ainsworth had already seen Leon Lynch and Mrs. Lynch monts ago.
She wanted to avoid them, but Ethan wouldn’t let her.
So she had no choice but to approach.
"And this is?" Mrs. Lynch asked, slightly surprised.
Nora Ainsworth took off her mask. "Auntie, it’s been a while."
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