Chapter 336

Chapter 336:
There was no trace of pretense in her tone—just quiet honesty and genuine gratitude for William’s steady support during the final stretch. She made a mental note to thank him properly soon. William’s lips curved into a smile. It wasn’t often she thanked him without a sharp remark—this time, her appreciation came through clearly, start to finish.
Though William and Stella barely spoke on the ride back, Sandra and Elbert were smart enough not to pry. They weren’t buying the whole “nothing going on” act either—but they also knew when to keep quiet.
As the car neared the hotel, Sandra suddenly perked up. “Hey, Sylvia, William—since we’re rarely in Wredo and the competition’s finally over, how about we go out and have some fun?”
Elbert jumped in right away. “I actually saw something earlier—there’s an exclusive elite dance party tonight. It looked pretty cool. We should go!”
Sandra’s eyes lit up. “A dance party? When?”
Elbert checked his phone. “Starts at eight tonight.”
Stella and William exchanged a glance and, without much debate, agreed. After the stress of the last few days, a little celebration sounded nice.
Sandra clapped. “Perfect! We’re going dancing! Sylvia, do you have a dress? I don’t.”
Stella didn’t either—this trip was strictly business, and no one had packed for a party. So instead of heading back to the hotel, they had the driver take a detour to a boutique downtown.
By the time they picked out dresses and got their hair and makeup done, it was nearly time for the event. They hurried back to the car and headed straight to the venue.
As they walked into the ballroom, upbeat music filled the space. The atmosphere was vibrant and energetic—nothing like the formal events they were used to back in Choria.
Sandra dove into the rhythm, blending right in with the locals. She grabbed Stella’s hand, pulling her along. Stella hesitated, feeling awkward.
Sandra leaned in, encouraging her. “Sylvia, relax and just follow the music. No one will notice you.”
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Taking a steady breath, Stella relaxed and began to sway to the beat, slowly finding the rhythm. Her movements were a bit stiff at first, but they softened as the music carried her.
From the side, William stood with a glass of champagne in hand, his eyes fixed on her. Her dance wasn’t perfect—it was hesitant, a little offbeat—but it was endearing. Charming, even. He couldn’t look away.
When the song ended, Stella and Sandra stepped off the dance floor, both a little flushed. Stella headed toward the long refreshment table and reached for a glass of orange juice. As she lifted it to her lips, she caught movement at the entrance and paused.
Doreen had just entered, arm hooked through Marc’s, wearing a sky-blue gown that sparkled under the chandeliers. The dress was clearly expensive, a replica from a famous movie, adorned with tiny glittering stones. Stella raised an eyebrow and smirked. So Marc was willing to spend on Doreen now. Interesting.
Doreen basked in the attention, practically glowing. Before Marc, she’d never imagined herself at events like this—let alone as the center of admiration. Such occasions had once felt out of reach, something she’d only seen in movies or dreamed about from afar.
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