Chapter 1: Reunion at the Dinner Party

  The night sky over London was shrouded in a thin layer of fog, and the dim glow of the ancient street lamps looked particularly faint in the mist. However, the Stewart family mansion was lit up like a bright jewel, illuminating the misty night.

  Tonight, the Stewart family had organised a grand charity dinner to raise money for a local orphanage. Inside the hall, guests were gathered, dressed and mingling, all with false smiles on their faces.

  Alicia Stewart, the eldest daughter of the Stewart family, entered the gilded hall wearing an old dress that her mother Eleanor had made herself. She had the family's unique blonde hair and blue eyes, her skin was fair as snow, and her features were delicate and three-dimensional, as beautiful as the goddesses of Greek mythology. Her deep blue eyes, however, were tinged with a hint of melancholy and seemed to hold endless secrets.

  The dress she wore, though old, had been transformed by Eleanor's skilful hands, taking on a different lustre. The dark blue silk set off her pale skin, the waist was embroidered with delicate floral patterns in silver silk thread, and the skirt was adorned with sparkling pearls that glistened in the light.

  Alicia's appearance immediately attracted all eyes. But these glances were filled with mockery and contempt.

  "Look, what is that?" A noblewoman said in a sneering tone, and the companion beside her immediately chimed in, "It's pathetic that she's wearing that old antique".

  Alicia's father, the head of the Stewart family, had died unexpectedly two years ago, leaving behind a huge inheritance and a huge family business. However, Alicia's father didn't leave a will, which only intensifies the power struggle within the family.

  William Stewart, Alicia's eldest uncle, is an ambitious and insatiable businessman. He has always coveted control of the family and has tried to keep Alicia out of the line of succession. He is obese, his face is piled high with cross-cutting flesh, and he has a greedy gleam in his small eyes. His wife, Maria, is a viper in disguise, always using sweet words to hide her insidious cunning. She had thick red hair, her lips were painted with bright red lipstick, and she always wore a hypocritical smile on her face that sent shivers down one's spine.

  Alicia's second uncle, Richard Stewart, is a man of weak character and no opinion. He was thin and frail, and always wore a sad expression on his face that made him look unimposing. His wife, Elizabeth, is a vain woman who is always keen to compare and show off. She had blonde curly hair, a bloated figure, and her face was covered with thick foundation, but it could not hide the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and the meanness at the corners of her mouth.

  "Alicia, there you are." William Stewart walked up to Alicia with a false smile on his face, but deliberately avoided her gaze.

  "Uncle William, Aunt Maria." Alicia greeted politely, her tone calm and indifferent.

  "Dear Alicia, you look truly beautiful." Maria Stewart said with a smile, but her eyes were full of mockery.

  "Thank you." Alicia responded indifferently, she didn't pay attention to Maria's sarcasm.

---

  The scene of the dinner party was like a gorgeous painting, with all kinds of colours intertwined together, presenting an intoxicating luxury. The tall crystal chandelier hung in the centre of the spacious hall, emitting a bright light that illuminated the entire banquet site. Each lamp exuded soft light, adding a touch of romance and mystery to the whole banquet.

  Guests dressed in gorgeous dresses, travelling through the banquet site, talking to each other and laughing constantly. The men wore exquisite suits, and the women wore various styles of evening dresses, some elegant and generous, some sexy and charming, and they were holding highball glasses of champagne with a seductive lustre in their hands.

  The table was full of delicacies, and all kinds of exquisite dishes emitted a tantalising aroma. Seafood, grilled meat, vegetables, desserts and other kinds of food were all available, making people mouth-watering. The waiters were shuttling between the tables, providing attentive service for the guests.

  The sound of the band playing echoed in the banquet site, and the elegant melody intoxicated people. On the dance floor, the guests danced to the music, their dancing was elegant and charming, as if they were adding vigour and enthusiasm to the whole banquet.

  The atmosphere of the dinner was full of romance and luxury, more like a stage for the socialising of the rich and noble than a charity banquet.

  Alicia stood in a corner of the banquet hall, lightly sipping the champagne in her hand, her eyes scanning the bustling crowd. Her heartbeat accelerated slightly, not out of nervousness, but out of anticipation. She knew he would be here tonight, the childhood friend she hadn't seen in years-Edward Hart.

  Just then, a commotion came from the entrance to the hall. Alicia turned her head to see a tall, handsome man stepping into the venue. He was wearing a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, and his deep blue eyes were like stars in the night sky, sparkling with wisdom. That was Edward Hart, the second son of the Hart family, now a reputable lawyer.

  Edward's eyes searched through the crowd, and when he saw Alicia, the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised into a warm smile. He gracefully made his way through the crowd to Alicia.

  "It's been a long time, Alicia," Edward smiled, his voice low and gentle, "You're still as beautiful as I remember."

  Alicia felt a hint of familiar warmth as she returned a genuine smile, "Edward, you haven't changed a bit either, you're still as talkative as ever."

  The two smiled at each other, as if the years of separation had melted away in this moment.

  "I heard that you joined your family's law firm after graduating from Harvard Law School," Alicia said, "It looks like you fulfilled a childhood dream."

  Edward nodded, "Yes, it wasn't an easy process, but I'm glad I stuck to my choice." He paused, a flicker of concern in his eyes, "And what about you? How have the years been?"

  Alicia sighed softly, "It's been okay, although things have gotten a little complicated at home since my father died, but my mother and I are making it work."

  Edward was about to say something when the elegant waltz music started, he suddenly reached out his hand and slightly owed, "Alicia, may I invite you to a dance? Just like we did when we were children."