Chapter 361 A title
Damn it!
Gary sighed.
He was now the male homewrecker!
This woman he had brought had a fiancé, he on the other hand didn’t even have a title!
After beating around the bush, he finally had to say it.
“Congrats, Stephan. You’ve finally gone legit.”
Stephan’s forehead veins throbbed. “I was already the main man.”
At that moment, the only two women in the private room, Alana and Laura, couldn’t help but eye each other with curiosity.
After all, they were surrounded by men, so they naturally took a greater interest in the only other women present.
In Alana’s eyes, Laura had excellent poise and was very attractive, with striking, well-defined features, fair skin, and a great figure, she looked like a sophisticated older woman.
In Laura’s eyes, Alana was also exceptionally beautiful, with a face as delicate as jade, lovely almond-shaped eyes, and cherry-red lips.
She was wearing a purple dress, exuding a gentle and pure aura, innocent yet alluring, with a touch of the tender charm unique to classical beauties.
She was simply breathtaking.
Even though she’d seen her fair share of beauties, she couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at Alana.
Next, it was the men’s turn to take center stage, some were chatting animatedly, while others were playing games.
Alana and Laura, the two women, naturally gravitated toward each other.
After all, they didn’t really have much in common with the men.
Laura took the initiative to say hello, “Hello, my name is Laura.”
Alana replied politely, “Hello, I’m Alana.”
Laura hesitated for a moment. “If I may ask, are you... Mr. Hudson’s fiancée?”
Alana thought about how she and Stephan had already discussed marriage today; saying they were engaged wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
So she nodded. “Pretty much.”
Laura remarked with a sigh, “I’ve heard that Mr. Hudson is a rare ‘ice King’ in this circle, a cool, aloof heartthrob who shuns women and has almost no female companions. I never expected today to shatter those rumors.”
“Huh? Is that how he comes across to outsiders?”
Laura nodded. “Yes, and he’s never been involved in any scandals. He’s a man who keeps himself pure.”
Alana recalled the day after she’d slept with him. When she went to the hospital and ran into him, he’d told her that night had been his first time, too.
𝖿𝙧𝐞𝓮𝗐𝖾𝘣𝚗ℴ𝗏𝙚𝚕.𝖼𝗼𝗺
She hadn’t believed him at the time, but upon reflection, he had no reason to lie to her.
She smiled. “Isn’t it only natural for a man to keep himself pure?”
Laura paused, surprised by Alana’s response.
She was right, it is only natural for a person to be virtuous.
Staying pure isn’t just a matter of being responsible to oneself; it’s also a way of being responsible to others.
But in this world, too few people manage to do that.
𝒻𝓻𝖾𝗲𝒘𝗲𝕓𝓃𝗼𝔳ⅇℓ.𝔠𝔬𝐦
Because so few do, those who do become something of an anomaly.
And... she wasn’t the kind of woman who could keep herself pure.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been with that man, Gary, while she still had a fiancé...
Laura couldn’t help but sigh, “I really envy you.”
“It’s clear you and Mr. Hudson truly love each other. If you two could get married and be together, I’m sure you’d be very happy.”
Alana smiled. “You too. I wish you and Gary all the best.”
Laura gave a wry smile. “Don’t get the wrong idea. He and I... aren’t the kind of relationship you’re imagining.”
Alana blinked. “Hmm?”
Laura paused for a moment. “He’s my boss, and I’m his subordinate. I’m just here with him today to put on a show. Once the show’s over, it’s over.”
Alana froze, realizing she’d misunderstood, and immediately apologized.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought... you two were dating.”
Grace smiled. “No need to apologize. That’s exactly why he brought me here, to pretend to be his date. Being misunderstood by you all is just part of the job for me.”
After a brief pause, she couldn’t help but add, “Besides, I have a fiancé. There’s no way I could be in that kind of relationship with him.”
Alana nodded in understanding. “Oh, so that’s how it is.”
Of course, if Alana had known what she was about to witness, she certainly wouldn’t have found it so straightforward.
*****
Stephan used the pretext of playing cards and games to gather a group of his friends together.
On the surface, they were playing cards, but in reality, he was discussing something with them.
Stephan shuffled the cards and said casually, “I’m planning to officially propose to my girlfriend. Help me out here... what’s the best way to propose to a girl?”
Gary shot him a glance. “Haven’t you already convinced her to marry you? Why propose again?”
One of the young men said, “Gary, you just don’t get it. Girls love a sense of ceremony. Who wouldn’t want their marriage to be unforgettable?”
“While hoping for a grand wedding, of course she’d also want a grand proposal ceremony!”
Stephan nodded. “Exactly. I don’t want my girl to have any regrets in her life. Whatever other girls have, she must have too. And whatever other girls don’t have, as long as I’m capable... I’ll find a way to give it to her.”
The playboy exclaimed, “Everyone, look at this! Look at Stephan’s mindset... no wonder he managed to land a wife!”
Gary couldn’t help but admire him.
“Enough with the praise. Now, all of you, come up with some practical ideas for me.”
Someone suggested, “How about proposing at a hotel?”
“Start with a romantic candlelit dinner... flowers and fine wine... then spring the proposal on her. It’ll definitely surprise the future Mrs. Hudson.”
Before Stephan could say a word, someone else chimed in.
“Isn’t that a bit tacky?”
“Who proposes at a hotel these days?”
“If you ask me, we should do it outdoors, surrounded by flowers and balloons, with a pumpkin carriage to pick her up. Then, amidst everyone’s cheers, we’d make a grand proposal to her... how romantic!”
“Come on, your idea isn’t any better!”
“How about proposing at night? You could set off fireworks then... women just love all that flashy stuff!”
“It’s pitch black at night... who would propose in the dead of night?”
“Seriously? Don’t you know how to set up lighting? You’re such a dummy!”
“Alright, enough. I’ve already got an idea.”
Everyone asked curiously, “What idea?”
“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”
The discussion about the proposal came to a close.
Next, several beautiful waitresses came into the private room one after another to serve tea and water.
No one knew who started it, but someone suggested they play a game of Truth or Dare together.
A group of people, including several beautiful women, gathered around a round table.
Alana, of course, sat next to Stephan.
The rules of the game were simple: whoever the bottle pointed to would be the lucky one chosen.
Since Stephan had organized tonight’s gathering, he went first.
As he spun it, the bottle’s opening accidentally pointed at Alana, who was sitting next to him.
Alana was startled for a moment.
Stephan patted her on the back with his large hand to reassure her, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry... my luck isn’t great tonight.”
He then turned to the others and said, “Go easy on her... don’t pick on her!” The people around them laughed slyly.
“Hehe, don’t worry, we’d never pick on our sister-in-law!”
“Sis-in-law, do you choose Truth or Dare?”
Alana spoke timidly, “D-dare, I guess...”
Someone suggested, “Sis, why don’t you and Stephan share a cup of wine?”
“Or you could give Stephan a three-minute French kiss right here!”
Hearing this, Alana’s cheeks flushed bright red.
“Go!”
“I told you all, don’t pick on her!”
Though the man said not to tease her, the smile on his lips stretched all the way to his ears.
Everyone saw through it but chose not to call him out.