CHAPTER 676: CHAPTER 676: SHE GOT THE LUCKY NUMBER

The melodious sound of music quickly resonated through the party hall, signaling the start of tonight’s main event.

Hayden Crawford stood tall and handsome on the stage, in the midst of brilliant lights. His flawless features seemed to be edged with a golden halo, making it hard for people to look directly at him.

The socialites and young ladies gazed at him with flushed cheeks, their hearts pounding wildly.

They all hoped to dance the first dance with Hayden Crawford. However, the recent rumors about Hayden and the Princess of Alani were at their peak, and everyone speculated that this lucky number was already reserved for the Princess of Alani.

Everyone gathered around Melody Ashworth,

"Princess of Alani, has Mr. Crawford reserved you for the first dance? Are you going to dance with him on stage soon?"

"Princess of Alani, we really envy you."

Melody Ashworth, basking in such flattery, smiled brightly. She recalled asking Hayden Crawford in the elevator earlier if she was the chosen one, to which Hayden had mysteriously responded that he would give her a surprise.

This surprise should be the first dance with him.

Melody Ashworth looked up at Hayden Crawford, and noticed that his deep, narrow eyes briefly glanced in her direction.

It felt like an affirmation and a hint, causing Melody’s heart to flutter even more intensely.

At that moment, Melody turned her gaze and happened to see Serena Sterling in a corner.

Serena was keeping a low profile tonight, and with her face resembling that of a little maid, no one talked to her.

Meanwhile, Melody was being surrounded and revered, marking a stark contrast between the two.

Melody straightened her back even more, proud and pleased like a peacock displaying its feathers.

Then, the personal secretary took to the stage, "Alright, esteemed guests, tonight’s finale is about to begin. We invite our president to personally draw the lucky number. The lady holding this number will have the honor of dancing the first dance with our president."

Everyone received their number when they entered, one each.

Melody glanced at the number she held—it was 29.

Melody was very nervous; her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

Even though she knew she was predetermined, joy mixed with apprehension persisted until Hayden announced it publicly.

Hayden had started drawing the lucky number.

Despite knowing a predetermined choice existed, the young ladies were still nervous; what if one of them was chosen?

The entire room held their breath in anticipation.

Serena stood in the corner, utterly disappointed in Hayden and knowing the first dance had nothing to do with her, so she took a piece of cake to eat.

Hayden must have already reserved Melody Ashworth, right?

Serena glanced at Melody, who was proud like a peacock, arranging her dress, ready to step up once Hayden made his announcement.

At this moment, Hayden had drawn the lucky number, and the personal secretary walked over, "Let’s see what number our president has drawn."

The personal secretary glanced at the lucky number and then looked up, fixing their gaze on Melody Ashworth.

Melody Ashworth!

The noble ladies, filled with tension and anticipation, immediately showed disappointment; it turned out the choice was predetermined for the Princess of Alani.

Melody finally relaxed, it turned out to be her indeed.

Holding her number, she walked toward the stage with the most perfect posture, feeling this was the highlight of her life, like walking a runway, even waving to people on both sides as she walked.

"Mr. Crawford hasn’t announced the lucky number yet, and the Princess of Alani is already rushing up there!"

"I saw the personal secretary look at her twice; it’s probably her!"

"Lately, she and Mr. Crawford have been a hot topic in the tabloids; it seems she’s really enchanted Mr. Crawford."

"This Princess of Alani truly has great allure."

Holding her number, Melody hurried to the stage, when suddenly the personal secretary announced, "Number 19."

Number 19?

Melody froze, the brilliant smile on her face instantly stiffened.

She thought she had misheard, quickly lowering her head to look at her number.

She had number 29.

The personal secretary had said... 19?

Could the personal secretary have made a mistake?

Melody stood frozen, secretly winking at Hayden.

But Hayden’s gaze wasn’t on her at all, treating her like thin air.

The personal secretary approached with a microphone, "Princess of Alani, our president drew lucky number 19, are you number 19?"

Before Melody could say anything, the personal secretary snatched the number from her hand and presented it to everyone, "Let’s see if the Princess of Alani is the lucky one, oh, what’s this, number 29, Princess, you have number 29?"

The room was silent for a few seconds before someone chuckled maliciously, soon followed by laughter from many others.

Melody stood on the stage, unable to step back, unable to move forward.

The smile on her face collapsed, overwhelmed with extreme embarrassment.

The noble ladies who had previously flattered her now covered their mouths to laugh discreetly, pointing and whispering at her,

"This Princess of Alani is too eager, I even feel embarrassed for her."

"Mr. Crawford drew number 19, and she, a 29, rushed up there, this joke will last me a whole year."

"Turns out the Princess of Alani wasn’t predetermined, her rumored romance with Mr. Crawford must be fake too."

"Hahahaha—"

Melody heard the mocking whispers of the noble ladies loud and clear, her face reddened with humiliation and disgrace, but she was unwilling to believe and give up, so she looked at Hayden, "Mr. Crawford, is there a mistake, what number did you actually draw?"

Hayden finally glanced at Melody, then handed her the number, "Number 19."

Number 19!

It was really number 19!

Melody felt like she’d fallen from heaven straight to hell.

Then the personal secretary said, "Princess of Alani, since you’re not number 19, this doesn’t concern you, could you please step down now."

The personal secretary was already asking her to leave.

Oh.

The laughter below grew louder, and even the noble ladies showed a bit of sympathy.

With anger causing her whole body to tremble, Melody had no choice but to slink off the stage under everyone’s scrutinizing eyes.

Then the personal secretary smiled and said, "Apologies for the slight interruption earlier, now let’s get back to the topic, who is lucky number 19, please, the lady holding number 19, come up on stage."