Chapter 2

Emily played with Patricia for a while, but soon got sleepy and dozed off in Patricia's arms.

Even though she was only three, Patricia had been feeding her well, making her a bit heavy to carry.

"Here, let me take Emily," Charles offered, stepping forward to take her, but Patricia stopped him. "Don't wake her up."

She then handed Emily to a nearby waitress, instructing her to take Emily to rest.

Not far away, Irene saw this and her face instantly froze, her hand awkwardly suspended in mid-air.

Irene had only gone to get some wine, and now Patricia was out and about!

Seeing Charles's eyes fixed on Patricia, Irene gritted her teeth in anger.

Who dared to disobey her orders and let Patricia out? If she found out who it was, they would pay dearly!

But despite her anger, Irene didn't lose her composure. She had already asked Charles to be her dance partner.

As long as she danced with Charles at the ball, Patricia would be the one embarrassed.

She collected herself, regained her usual elegance, and was about to walk towards Charles when Patricia suddenly blocked her path, looking furious.

Irene eyed her warily. "What do you think you're doing?"

Patricia, taller than Irene, looked down at her from the corner, her gaze unwavering. Her soft voice slowly broke the silence.

"Ms. Jackson, doing bad things with such confidence," Patricia said, her eyes never leaving Irene.

Patricia knew Irene had always liked Charles.

In her past life, Irene had locked her in the back room, and when she was finally let out, she was ridiculed by everyone.

Irene had pretended to comfort her, using the opportunity to elevate herself. After that night, everyone praised Irene for her beauty and kindness.

Patricia's cold gaze made Irene shiver. Her red lips parted, and her gentle voice was chilling.

"You locked me up. Didn't you think there might be cameras?"

Irene stiffened, realizing Patricia was about to expose her in front of everyone. Panicking, she tried to think of a way to escape Patricia's grasp.

Seeing Charles approaching, Irene quickly put on a pitiful expression. "Patricia, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really? Should we go to the security room and check the footage?" Patricia's voice was icy.

Irene wanted to step on Patricia to rise, but Patricia wouldn't give her the chance.

Before coming over, Patricia had gone to the security room, claiming she had lost an expensive necklace and needed to check the cameras.

The hotel, hosting many prominent business and political figures, couldn't afford to be negligent and allowed Patricia to check the footage.

Patricia had recorded the video.

Charles quickly stepped forward, grabbing Patricia's arm. "Patricia, stop making a scene."

His voice was low, only audible to the three of them.

Seeing Charles defend her, Irene felt a bit smug.

But Patricia didn't seem ready to back down. She looked at Charles with teary eyes, tugging at his sleeve.

"Patricia misunderstood me. I was with you the whole time. How could I have done such a thing?"

People around them started to notice, whispering among themselves.

Charles, hearing their conversation and feeling the intense gazes, knew this wasn't the time for a confrontation. He was annoyed that Patricia was making such a scene.

He pulled Patricia closer. "She wouldn't do something like that. There must be a misunderstanding. We'll talk about it later."

Patricia glared at him, shaking off his hand. "Don't try to control me. Take care of yourself."

Charles was taken aback. "What?"

The ballroom filled with the sound of a piano, and a waiter reminded the guests that the dance was about to begin.

Charles extended his arm towards Patricia, gently shaking it, signaling her to take his hand.

Patricia didn't even look at him, striding away in her high heels.

Paul, who had rushed over, almost fell to his knees at the sight.

Oh my God, Patricia was so bold, daring to snub Charles like that! He could only imagine how furious Charles must be right now.

Men and women, both single and married, stood by the dance floor, ready to choose their partners for a dance.

Patricia's form-fitting gown accentuated her graceful figure. Many men had wanted to approach her earlier, but upon hearing she was Charles's wife, they backed off.

Charles, standing not far away, saw Patricia sitting dazedly, surrounded by men eyeing her like hungry wolves.

He was about to invite Patricia to dance when a pair of hands wrapped around his arm.

Charles turned, frowning, his face showing impatience.

Irene struck what she thought was her most alluring pose, feigning shyness. "Charles, may I have this dance?"

Calvin Scott, passing by, glanced at them, a bright smile on his face. "Miss Jackson and Mr. Anderson seem so close. I almost mistook Miss Jackson for Mrs. Anderson."

Irene felt a surge of pride at the compliment but maintained her modest facade. "Calvin, don't say such things."

She thought, 'Keep talking like that!'

Charles frowned, his gaze deep and piercing.

Calvin's eyes moved from Charles's face, offering a polite smile before moving on.

Patricia noticed the commotion and saw Irene clinging to Charles's arm. She frowned as if she had seen something disgusting.

She remembered that after she missed the ball in her past life, rumors about Irene and Charles started circulating. It seemed they had gotten entangled around this time.

The thought made Patricia feel sick.

Seeing Charles glaring at her, Patricia couldn't be bothered. She turned and saw Calvin approaching.

"May I have this dance?" Calvin asked, extending a gentlemanly invitation.

Patricia glanced at Charles, who was staring intently at her. She smiled slightly, placing her slender hand in Calvin's.

Charles's eyes instantly turned cold, filled with a chilling anger.

Irene saw this and was overjoyed, cursing Patricia as a fool. How could she be "Mrs. Anderson" acting like this?

"Charles, Patricia is being so rude, embarrassing you like this. It's too much!"

Irene tried to sow discord, but seeing Charles remain silent, she clung to his arm, her voice sweet. "I can dance with you."

Charles pulled his arm away, stepping aside. "If you want to dance, go find someone else."

Irene couldn't believe it. Charles just left her standing there?!

Charles asked a waiter for a drink and went upstairs.

The second floor was a self-service area for drinks and desserts, with a view of the dance floor below.

He drank alone, his eyes never leaving the two dancing and laughing in the center of the floor.