CHAPTER 45: SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY

Exiting the office, Beauty wore an utterly dejected expression on her face.

She had never been fond of these types of activities, and she certainly did not have any desire to steal the limelight at the school’s anniversary celebration.

Although everyone in the school knew about her relationship with Lucas, the City’s most eligible bachelor, she had always kept a low profile in her daily life.

After all, she understood that these privileges and wealth had no connection to her.

There would undoubtedly be a day when she would have to leave that golden cage and fly toward the sky she yearned for.

Only then could she obtain freedom and dignity.

"Beauty, I know you don’t like this kind of boisterous event and don’t want to be in the spotlight.

However, since the guidance office has nominated you, you have to brace yourself and do this.

Don’t worry, I’ll help you." Samuel, wearing a white shirt, three-quarter length trousers and a bow tie at the collar, looked like a prince from some idol drama.

However, Beauty somehow felt that such a distinguished and gentle man should not stand beside her.

His glow was too dazzling, making it hard for her to open her eyes.

Ever since ancient times, the story of Cinderella and the prince had never been a pleasant one.

"Thank you, I will try my best to memorise the script for the MC.

I promise not to embarrass you, senior."

Beauty suddenly looked up at Samuel and showed a faint smile.

Her crescent eyes curved up, radiating immeasurable charm.

Apart from assuming the role of MC, she also had a special task — to accompany Samuel in a dance.

As everyone knew, Samuel had participated in international piano competitions since he was young, winning countless trophies.

He would certainly flaunt his skills at this school celebration.

However, she never thought that she would be the one partnering him in dance!

Many girls in the school have started learning dance since they were little, but she was the only someone who joined midway and only had two years of dance training under her belt.

Even Laura danced better than she did, which was surprising for her.

"Beauty, I heard you are going to be Samuel’s dance partner!

I really didn’t think you had such skills.

I heard that the son of the head teacher wrote you a love letter a few days ago.

Some people are just born to be despised and have no shame at all!"

Laura, with her head full of curls, took small steps to approach, her face full of arrogance.

"Laura, you might misuse medicine, but watch the words you say!

What basis do you have to insult Beauty?

Are you taking advantage because you are Lucas’s sister?"

Before Beauty could even speak, Samuel had already stepped in front of her.

His gaze condescendingly fell onto Laura, full of disdain.

She did not expect Samuel to be so protective of Beauty.

Laura’s face turned red.

She clenched the magazine in her hand and stared at Beauty, her face pale with anger.

"Senior, don’t be deceived by her pretentious appearance.

I’ve known her for so many years, she’s nothing but an uneducated wild girl.

She doesn’t deserve to be your dance partner."

After Laura finished speaking, she quickly turned and ran towards the stairwell, seething with rage.

Beauty was already used to her antics.

After more than a year of guidance and training, she was no longer the person who would publicly argue and fight with Laura.

Unless it was something she really couldn’t bear.

She remembered once when a guest came to her home, Laura had torn a doll that her father had left for her.

At that time, she directly pinned Laura to the ground, pulled her hair, and scratched her face, like a mad girl.

The guests that Lucas had invited were terrified at the time.

That night Lucas came to find her, in a fit of anger, she splashed juice on him.

Afterward, she was put on a three-day food restriction as punishment, confined in her room to reflect on her actions, and even had to assist him in boxing, hurting so much that she couldn’t get out of bed for half a month.

The school took this anniversary celebration very seriously, especially for the hosts.

They had to maintain strict standards; no mistakes were to be made.

Initially, Beauty was quite relaxed, but the atmosphere affected her, causing her to feel a bit anxious.

The make-up artist was applying makeup on her.

Before this, she had never worn makeup; she didn’t even know the order of applying makeup, let alone how to create an exquisite look.

While applying the makeup on Beauty’s slightly chubby face, the makeup artist said with satisfaction, "You are truly a natural beauty.

A little bit of makeup already enhances your beauty, making it hard for anyone to look away."

This was the first time in nineteen years someone she didn’t know complimented her so generously.

She lowered her head in slight embarrassment.

She was about to go on stage.

The school had stressed several times that a major shareholder would be in attendance, and everyone had to stay fully alert.

Even while having her makeup done, she never let go of her script.

No one knew who the school’s largest shareholder was or who the important visitors would be, but the anxiety was comparable to meeting a nation’s president.

It was indeed comforting for her to have Samuel, a participant in international competitions, display such calmness.

"You can do it," he said.

"It’s merely a performance on stage.

Just take it easy.

I’ll be right there with you."

As Samuel was about to adjust his tie, Beauty dropped her script, raised her head, and helped him with his tie and collar.

He smiled lightly, revealing his white teeth which overwhelmed him, stirring feelings within.

Who would have thought the piano prince, always treated with deference, would feel so flustered and distracted in front of an ordinary girl?

Standing on stage looking down at the crowd, her previously perturbed heart finally calmed down.

That is, until a group of over ten people appeared afar, escorting two tall and majestic men through the crowd to the most eye-catching spot right under the stage.

Under the intense spotlight, she could see everything clearly.

At this moment, a man was clad in a black tailcoat suit, speaking profoundly with the gentleman at his side who had on a blue suit. And wasn’t that man in black, none other than the sickening pervert, Lucas whom she despised so much?

Why is he here?

Could he possibly be... Her mind filled with thousands of questions, until only after Samuel finished his opening speech and gave her a signal, did she come back to her senses that she had to deliver the opening speech too.

Her hands clenched the microphone, visibly shaking from the nervousness, but her voice remained surprisingly steady.

She gripped the anchoring script tightly, her gaze forward, forcing herself not to look at the brightest spot, pretending he is just a thin air.

When he noticed her anomaly, amidst the performances by their classmates, Samuel poured her a cup of hot tea.

He consoled her with kindness, "It’s okay, take it with a normal heart, I had no idea he’s the school’s biggest shareholder."

Beauty, striving hard to lift up a faint smile, her face nearly contracted in stiffness.

With this situation, she had to put on an even better performance, not to lose face before him, and certainly not to give him a chance of being picky about her.

Only now did she understand why the school appointed her as the host among many broadcasting girls.

"You Beauty, someone sent you a bouquet." Hannah, holding a bouquet of white roses, came in with a beaming smile, as if the bouquet was for her instead.

Beauty was taken aback for a second before asking in a light tone: "Who is the bouquet from?"

"It’s from that handsome guy!

Your guardian, Lucas sent it.

His assistant handed it to me, saying you better not embarrass him..."