CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: MEMORY EPISODE (44)

"Yes."

"She’s a beauty." The lady smiled, "She seems to be about the same age as my Lily."

Her eyes glanced over the ruby set on Florence Fuller’s body.

Florence saw the young girl beside the lady.

Fair-skinned, beautiful, gentle and intellectual.

The two exchanged glances and smiled politely.

"Your Lily should be a bit older, this child just turned eighteen this year," Abigail Monrose said.

They found a four-seat table, and the four of them sat down.

The lady chatted with Florence for a few more moments, and Florence answered neatly, although she felt uncomfortable with the lady’s gaze.

Her eyes inadvertently met with the woman across from her, noticing she was being watched at that moment.

As their eyes met, the woman called Lily spoke, "Is your ruby a complete set?"

"Yes."

Lily smiled, "Was it purchased at an auction?"

"It’s her coming of age gift from me," Abigail interrupted, looking gently at Lily, "What’s wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Lily’s face stiffened, "It’s nothing, I just overthought it."

At the banquet today, even before seeing Florence, she’d heard someone mention seeing a woman adorned with rubies.

That set of gems had been privately auctioned overseas and purchased by Mrs. Harper, never to be seen again until it appeared on such a young woman.

And she came with Mrs. Harper.

Some were speculating if her identity was possibly the fiancée of Mrs. Harper’s son.

The affairs of the Harper Family are often mysterious, for instance, people only knew that Mrs. Harper had a son thought to be in his twenties, but the exact age was uncertain, as no one had ever met the true heir of the Harper Family.

There were rumors that something happened and he passed away because Mr. Harper was now accompanied by an illegitimate child.

"Lily was just asking casually, Mrs. Harper, don’t take it too seriously," the lady said with a smile.

Abigail sipped her wine, having just taken a sip when she noticed Florence staring straight ahead.

She followed her gaze and saw Ethan Harper, dressed in a well-tailored black suit, striding over.

Dashing and elegant, full of vigor.

Wasn’t he too busy with work to come?

Lily’s eyes lit up, and as Ethan Harper approached, her mother nudged her.

Lily quickly turned around and stood up, "Young Master Harper."

Her eyes radiated budding affection, her fair cheeks slightly reddening, clearly showing shyness toward Ethan Harper.

Meeting him here for real, it seemed her mother hadn’t been mistaken in insisting on coming.

Ethan Harper nodded slightly, responding politely, "Hello."

Then he went over to Florence, taking a look at her.

Her hair was also elegantly styled today, her face adorned with exquisite makeup, charming and alluring.

The red gown paired with the ruby necklace and earrings, exuded a gentle, yet flamboyant charm, a cold and noble beauty without losing glamor.

She was truly stunning.

"Why are you here?" Abigail was the first to speak, "Weren’t you busy?"

"I came after finishing my work."

"Hello Young Master Harper." The lady also smiled sweetly, "Mrs. Harper mentioned you might not make it tonight because of work, it’s quite surprising to see you."

Originally, Abigail received a call to go upstairs, but upon hearing this, the lady was unwilling to miss this chance, putting on a friendly facade, insisting on bringing her daughter along with Abigail.

Ethan Harper nodded, "Mainly because of her."

His words carried a different tone, and the lady’s smile froze, "You two..."

Ethan Harper ignored her, turning to Abigail, "Mother, I’ll take Florence down for now, call me if you need."

Abigail adopted a nonchalant attitude, "Go on, go ahead."

Ethan Harper reached out to Florence.

Florence took his hand, lifting her gown as they walked away.

Ethan Harper placed his arm around her waist, as they descended, Florence whispered, "Why did you come?"

"Didn’t I just say, I came when I finished."

Florence stood very close to him, and as they moved, the metal chain on his chest pocket gently brushed against Florence’s bare shoulder several times, prompting her to look back repeatedly.

After exiting the banquet hall, he asked, "What’s wrong?"

Florence touched his pocket, feeling a watch inside.

Ethan Harper took it out for her, guiding her outside.

"How did it feel?"

"It was okay, but without familiar faces, I could only wander around alone."

"Did anyone ask you to dance?" Ethan Harper asked.

"Yes, quite a few," Florence replied, looking at the watch.

Ethan Harper: "Did you dance?"

"Guess," Florence looked at him, her eyes full of interest.

Ethan Harper chuckled, actually he could imagine, with Florence’s looks and demeanor not losing to any high-society lady, the moment she appeared in the banquet hall, she must have attracted attention.

"Then you’ve guessed why I came."

Florence’s lips curved slightly, their eyes met, and Ethan Harper understood the meaning in Florence’s eyes.

She clearly knew the reason, yet she didn’t say it.

Their hands still intertwined, they could read each other’s eyes, as if time had momentarily frozen around them.

After a moment, Florence spoke first, "Are you afraid I’ll dance with someone else?"

Ethan Harper’s gaze sharpened, "I would be jealous."

"Jealous of me with another man?" She leaned closer to Ethan Harper, "Aren’t you like a perfect gentleman? Jealousy isn’t good."

"I’m not a gentleman." He leaned in closer, decreasing the distance between them, "I don’t have to be in front of you."

"Ahem!" An unexpected male voice interrupted their close proximity, making both Florence and Ethan Harper look over, the man receiving their slightly cold gaze involuntarily paused.

"Uh, Ethan." The young man raised the glass in his hand, "Join me for a drink."

It appeared he had something to discuss.

Florence released her hand, "You go."

Ethan Harper murmured, "I’ll come find you later."

She nodded, "I’ll wait for you in the banquet hall."

_

After talking with his friend, Ethan Harper went to find Florence approximately half an hour later, always mindful not to waste too much time. When he found Florence in the banquet hall, she was standing with several ladies of similar age.

Florence had her back to him, so he couldn’t see her expression, but he could see her nodding occasionally, while those ladies’ gazes were on her gemstone necklace and earrings. Florence would occasionally reach up to touch them, suggesting they might be discussing jewelry.

Ethan Harper opted not to interrupt, choosing a spot where he wouldn’t be noticed and quietly watched, waiting until Florence was done speaking before approaching.

For him, this wait was not long, and he was exceptionally patient. At some point, their conversation ended, the ladies dispersed, and Florence turned around, as if recalling something, and spotted him waiting diagonally behind her.