Chapter 251 Aunt Victoria's Birthday Party
The next evening, after work, with most of the Mitchell Group employees gone, Katherine headed to the restroom to change into the formal dress Bernard had asked for the day before.
After dinner last night, Ambrosia took her to a high-end fashion studio to pick out this simple yet stunning evening gown. It had an off-the-shoulder neckline, was made of sheer fabric, and was misty purple, giving it an ethereal look.
Most importantly, the dress was light, so Katherine wouldn't feel weighed down wearing it. It was the kind of dress she liked—easy to move in.
After changing, Katherine went back to her desk to wait for Bernard.
Another twenty minutes passed before Bernard finally came out of the CEO's office.
Katherine stood up and bowed slightly. "Mr. Mitchell."
Bernard glanced at her absentmindedly, but when he saw her in the dress, his gaze froze. His usually calm and indifferent face showed a hint of warmth, as if a soft spot in his heart had been touched.
Katherine felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny and frowned slightly. "Mr. Mitchell?"
Bernard snapped out of it, nodded slightly, and commented, "You have a good taste."
Katherine paused for a moment, then smiled gracefully. "Mr. Mitchell, are you complimenting my dress or my taste in choosing it?"
"Both." Bernard didn't hesitate to praise her. "Pack up and let's go."
"Yes, Mr. Mitchell." Katherine had already packed her things and followed Bernard into the elevator.
Downstairs, Billy, who had driven the car to the entrance, stared at Katherine for a long time when he saw her coming out with Bernard, his eyes wide with amazement.
Billy had always known Katherine was pretty, but he hadn't expected that with a little dressing up, her presence would be so striking, even surpassing Scarlett!
At that moment, Billy could only describe Katherine with one phrase—a fairy descended to the mortal world.
Bernard cleared his throat.
Billy snapped out of it and quickly opened the car door for them.
Bernard got in, and Katherine followed, sitting in the back seat. The front seats were occupied by the driver and Billy, leaving no room for her.
As the car drove, Katherine, wearing the dress, didn't sit as casually as usual. She sat more properly to avoid looking ungraceful.
Bernard scrolled through his phone for a while, then glanced at Katherine's proper sitting posture and casually said, "Ms. Galatea, dressed so formally, are you planning to find a new target at the party?"
Katherine didn't like Bernard's malicious speculation and coldly curled her lips.
She shot back, "Mr. Mitchell, if you hadn't requested formal attire yesterday, I would have been happy to wear my usual clothes today. Honestly, this dress isn't comfortable! As for finding a new target, think whatever you want. You wouldn't believe me even if I explained."
Bernard put away his phone and looked at the sharp-tongued Katherine, finding her somewhat endearing.
However, he didn't like the dress that seemed to suit her so well.
So young, wearing an off-the-shoulder dress!
He felt uneasy, worried that at the party, this girl, dressed so attractively, might be teased by his unrefined cousins.
Bernard couldn't understand why he felt this way about Katherine, whom he usually didn't like.
He rubbed his temples, thinking he must be overworked and having some kind of illusion.
Soon, the car arrived at Moonlight Manor. After parking, Katherine followed Bernard out of the car and walked towards the manor.
After a few steps, Bernard suddenly stopped, turned his head, and asked Katherine indifferently, "Are you cold?"
In the winter weather, the temperature was already very low at night.
Katherine's arms, exposed in the thin dress, were red from the evening breeze. She replied lightly, "I'm okay."
Bernard looked at her, thought for a second, then instructed, "Billy, bring the coat that Scarlett bought for me a few days ago from the car and put it on Ms. Galatea."
Billy was surprised but complied.
As Billy draped a brand-new coat over her shoulders, Katherine was taken aback. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Mitchell."
Bernard said indifferently, "Don't overthink it. I just don't want Ms. Galatea to catch a cold and come to work sick tomorrow, spreading it to me."
Katherine curled her lips and said, "I'm not overthinking. Regardless of Mr. Mitchell's intentions, I appreciate your care. It's only polite to thank you."
Bernard glanced at her and said nothing more, heading towards the manor's venue with Katherine obediently following beside him.
Moonlight Manor was the Mitchell family's estate. They encountered no obstacles entering, except at the reception area of the banquet hall, where they needed to sign in with their partner.
Anyone arriving alone, regardless of who they were, was not allowed in.
This was Aunt Victoria's birthday party rule.
As a nephew, it would be disrespectful for Bernard not to attend, so every year, he would bring a female companion to fulfill the obligation.
Bernard's arrival inside the banquet hall caused a small stir.
Bernard rarely attended banquets, and his presence at such events was uncommon. Only Aunt Victoria, a prominent elder in the Mitchell family, could compel him to attend.
A guy called out, "Look, Mr. Mitchell brought a girl!"
A second guy asked, "Whose daughter is she? I've never seen her before."
A third guy stated, "She's so beautiful! And she's wearing Mr. Mitchell's coat. They must be close."
Someone else chimed in, "That's not surprising. Mr. Mitchell is at the age to settle down. Taking his girlfriend to his aunt's party makes sense."
A girl recalled, "I remember in previous years, Mr. Mitchell's plus one was always Sophie, right?"
Another girl explained, "Sophie only got close to Mr. Mitchell because she's friends with Ms. Mitchell. Now that Mr. Mitchell has his plus one, he doesn't need her anymore!"
A third girl added, "True! I don't think Mr. Mitchell was ever interested in Sophie!"
Ignoring the idle chatter around them, Bernard glanced around the banquet hall and then said to Katherine, "Find a place to sit for a while. I need to greet some elders."
"Yes, Mr. Mitchell," Katherine replied, assuming Bernard didn't want to introduce her to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
Bernard took a few steps, then stopped and looked back at Katherine with a complicated expression. What was he worried about now?
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