Chapter 83: The Masquerade Ball
Chloe looked at the mask in her hand, hesitating. The mask was exquisitely made, with feathers and intricate designs that clearly indicated its value. “Where did you get this mask? It’s beautiful,” she remarked.
Holding it up to her face, she glanced in the mirror. The mask actually suited her well, and having never worn one before, she found it amusing, albeit reluctantly thinking about wearing it out.
Mia, nearby, smirked knowingly. She was aware that a masquerade ball was happening that evening and had prepared the mask specifically for Chloe, knowing she didn’t enjoy such events. Mia planned to take Chloe along without revealing anything until the right moment.
“There’s a masquerade ball tonight, and everyone will be attending. I picked out this feathered mask for you! Isn’t it stunning? My taste is always on point, so you should be excited,” Mia said, her enthusiasm evident.
Not only did she prepare the mask, but Mia had also brought a dress. She held up a red off- shoulder gown for Chloe to see. Chloe’s figure looked fantastic in it, accentuating her beauty even more alongside the mask. She would appear enchanting and mysterious, evoking curiosity from everyone around.
Mia imagined the reactions when Chloe revealed herself at the ball, and the thought excited her. The more she envisioned it, the more impatient she grew, eager for everyone to see Chloe. in her stunning outfit.
Chloe was surprised by this news, as she hadn’t heard anything about a ball. “Why didn’t I know about this? If there’s really a masquerade, there should have been some kind of announcement! How did you find out?”
She was baffled, feeling out of the loop despite being in the same hotel. She prided herself on her observational skills, so it puzzled her why she was unaware of any activities.
“Really? There’s a huge sign outside the hotel, and you missed it? What were you thinking? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’ll handle everything for you. Look at this arrangement; it’s amazing, right? This ball is pretty standard, so it should have a good turnout. The last Halloween event was less popular, which is why the promotion isn’t as strong this time, but it’s all good. Now hurry and change!”
Mia urged, shoving the dress into Chloe’s hands and pushing her toward the changing room.
Chloe felt a bit resigned but decided not to dwell on it since Mia had everything planned. They had come out to relax, so she figured it was best to go with the flow.
As Chloe changed, Mia chatted outside. After a quick look around, Mia noticed everyone was wearing masks–guests and staff alike–showing that preparations for the ball had been
Chapter 83. The Masquerade Ball
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“I think everyone looks even more dashing with their masks on. Don’t you think we might run into something interesting? Hurry up; once you’re ready, we’ll head out!”
As she spoke, she nudged Chloe to change faster. Chloe rolled her eyes but knew they were headed out to have fun, so she picked up her расе.
When they arrived at the banquet hall, a crowd had already gathered. As Chloe stepped off the elevator, she felt the weight of numerous gazes, making her uncomfortable.
She disliked being in crowded places, which made her feel exposed. That’s why she preferred research–working alone or with familiar teammates was far more comfortable than facing
strangers.
Fortunately, she had the mask. Without it, the attention would have been unbearable. The mask gave her some relief, allowing her to walk in with Mia without being blocked.
The decorations were beautiful, but they had little to talk about with the people around them, so Mia led Chloe straight to the bar.
She ordered a low–alcohol cocktail for herself and turned to Chloe. “Want to try my drink? I just discovered it, and it’s delicious without being too strong; you won’t feel out of control.
Mia knew Chloe was serious and preferred to keep things under control, which is why she suggested a milder drink. However, Chloe shook her head.
“I’ll pass on the alcohol; just give me some lemonade,” she replied.
Mia was taken aback. They had come to enjoy themselves, and this was the bar–why would Chloe choose lemonade instead?
“Are you kidding me? You’re going to drink lemonade here? Do you think that’s appropriate?” Mia exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.
If Chloe wanted lemonade, what was the point of bringing her here in the first place? They might as well have stayed in a private room upstairs. It was utterly perplexing.
