CHAPTER 493: CHAPTER 493: THE OPENING DANCE

Aidan Sinclair nodded at the server’s reminder, politely excused himself from the conversation, and turned around, searching for that petite figure while heading towards his third uncle.

She came here with the artists from Morningstar today, but she wasn’t among those artists chatting in small groups.

Aidan scanned several times but couldn’t find her, feeling a bit frustrated.

Wendy Sheffield walked over, "Aidan."

Aidan turned his head, saw it was her, and simply nodded with a smile, continuing his search.

"Are you looking for someone?" Wendy asked curiously.

"Yeah," still in a busy, can’t-be-bothered mood, suddenly spotted Stella Jennings standing at the edge of the dessert area by the chocolate fountain.

"Excuse me." Seeing Wendy blocking his way, he had no choice but to say that, and then walked quickly over there.

Wendy followed his gaze and saw Stella, her face instantly darkened.

"Didn’t you know he has a girlfriend?"

Wendy tilted her head, recognizing her as the girl who was chatting with Vivian earlier, not knowing the purpose of the conversation, she frowned and didn’t respond.

Hannah Jennings smiled, extended her hand, "Hello, I’m Hannah Jennings, that’s my little sister, Stella." Seeing Wendy’s face grow even darker, she continued, raising her hand: "My sister only just turned sixteen a few days ago. I don’t want a sister who climbs up by any means necessary. I want them separated more than you do."

Wendy skeptically touched her hand, "I’m Wendy Sheffield."

*

Recently, Stella Jennings has been strictly controlling her weight, so it goes without saying she can’t eat high-carb sweets; being in a place like this is practically mental torture. She wasn’t sure how she ended up by the chocolate fountain, just that watching the chocolate flow and smelling the sweet aroma made her unwilling to move, even when Aidan Sinclair approached her side, she didn’t notice.

Aidan seemed to see a little girl at the party earlier staring at the cakes with wide eyes, which appeared even larger now, sparkling with stardust, adorably cute.

He held back a laugh, snapped his fingers near her ear, "Hey!"

"Ah!" Startled, Stella exclaimed, turned her head to see him, and patted her chest with relief, "Jeez, are you in elementary school?"

Aidan’s brow twitched, thinking he’d like that.

He straightened his suit and extended his hand to her, "May I have the pleasure of inviting you for the opening dance?"

Stella looked at Aidan with exaggerated gentlemanly demeanor, stunned momentarily, then burst out laughing and quickly covered her mouth, "Sorry, but uncle, that’s a bit funny."

Aidan’s forehead throbbed; wasn’t he like a prince from a fairy tale? Shouldn’t girls shyly accept a prince’s invitation to dance together?

Mr. Sinclair had it right! Unfortunately, he didn’t know that in Stella’s eyes, he’s just an uncle, nothing to do with a prince.

"Hey..." Aidan, seeing her laugh a bit too much, couldn’t help but remind her, it’s really embarrassing for him if she laughs like that.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry." Stella quickly composed herself and said seriously, "I, of course, cannot agree!"

Just a moment ago, Aidan was smiling, waiting for her to nod, but upon hearing her words, it felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over his head, and it was a shocking steambath-like experience! "Why?"

Aidan had already hinted he would choose one of the attending artists as a partner for the opening dance, leaving specifics to be determined based on his mood.

His style had always been this way. So, when the news came out, no one thought it was all just a setup to legitimately ask Stella for the opening dance, with reasons even thought out.

Stella is a newly signed artist by Morningstar this year, and the group has only a two-year run, so she would undoubtedly be the recent focus of Morningstar’s promotion. Such occasions surely called for good exposure for new artists.

But rejected by a newcomer.

Stella obviously had her own considerations.

The artists at Morningstar had long been talking about who Aidan would pick for the opening dance. Previously, at such events, his partner had always been his sister Naomi Sinclair, and after Naomi’s passing, this was Aidan’s first time finding a dance partner for such an important occasion. Although it seemed like a business gathering, it was also his stepmother’s birthday. Receiving an invitation to such an event was more prestigious than landing an international brand endorsement. Who didn’t know Aidan was Ariston’s top bachelor?

Everyone knew Stella was the artist Aidan specifically requested to sign, and she was already disliked enough at the company, so she didn’t dare stand out in such a setting. Her agent had also advised her that, despite her personal relationship with Aidan, she must be mindful of appearances. Setting aside her age, if any scandal were to arise with Aidan, it would undoubtedly affect her future.

Stella cherished the opportunity to sign with Morningstar. Despite always working, she hadn’t become a superstar or Aidan’s cash cow, so she had to be cautious and maintain her reputation.

"I think you should choose Crystal Pierce as your partner; she is the top artist at Morningstar, most suitable as your partner." Stella suggested.

Aidan’s face darkened, flicked her forehead gently, "Jennings, quite a few famous directors attended today, do you think anyone would discover the newbie quietly eyeing chocolates in the corner? I want to introduce you as the new addition to Morningstar with the opening dance."

"That... makes some sense." Stella’s expression wrinkled in contemplation.

"Then let’s go." Aidan impatiently extended his hand to her.

Stella frowned, "I should call my manager." She said, pulling out her phone.

Aidan snatched her phone, "If you call again, Vivian will call me." Then, extending an arm, "Take my arm and confidently accompany me for a dance."

Stella glanced at the server watching the back of Aidan’s head from not far away, realized she should hesitate no longer, then took his arm and accompanied him.

The artists from Morningstar who were observing couldn’t help but show varied expressions when they saw Aidan really chose the young Stella, with Crystal Pierce having the darkest expression among them. Naturally, there were those who weren’t fond of Crystal, feeling both envious of Stella becoming Mr. Sinclair’s new favorite and delighted in Crystal’s unmet expectations.

On the dance floor, the third uncle and Vivian, Ethan Sterling and Ruby Sullivan, Aidan Sinclair and Stella Jennings, Leon Sterling, Cindy Sterling, and their respective partners stood, all strangers, as the music began, and the Sterling and Sinclair families started dancing together.

Outside the dance floor, there were a few men and women watching, their teeth gritting, but many more were envious of Vivian’s good fortune, not only marrying the third brother Sinclair, a husband who loves her dearly, but also having a reliable eldest brother for her son.