Chapter 42 Opening Dance
The Sycamore Group's six-year anniversary celebration was just around the corner.
On Friday morning, Juniper received a gift. Upon opening it, she found a beautiful cocktail dress and a pair of high heels.
Her colleagues crowded around, buzzing with curiosity.
"Such a gorgeous dress, Chanel, no less! That must have cost a pretty penny! Juniper, your admirer sure is generous!"
"Could it be that Mr. White from the other day? Has he still not given up?"
"I've seen those silver heels recently, the ones with the pearls—twenty grand a pair!"
Inside the box was a small card—
"Dress to impress tonight. Don't let me down. Love, Ophelia."
Juniper unwrapped it and laughed, "It's not from an admirer, it's from my bestie."
"Juniper, your bestie must be loaded! To just casually gift Chanel and such expensive shoes—talk about lavish..."
"Such a wealthy best friend, where do you even meet someone like that? When will my friends hit the jackpot!"
The female colleagues chuckled and teased each other.
Juniper quickly shot Ophelia a message on WhatsApp, "Got the dress and heels. It's the Sycamore Group's celebration tonight. I'm just an employee, no need to dress that formal, right?"
"I've already sent them, just wear it! I picked them out especially for you, you'll look stunning!"
"These clothes and shoes are so expensive, it's a waste on me. We're about the same size, you should take them back and wear them yourself."
"No way, I didn't get you a birthday gift, so consider this it. Plus, I didn't spend my own money, Robert wanted me to accompany him to the anniversary, so I had him cover the expense."
"You're coming to our company tonight as well?"
"Yup. Mary should be there too. I remember she has a business endorsement with the Sycamore Group. Even if Magnus doesn't invite her, she'll likely show up uninvited. Don't let her steal your thunder!"
"She's Magnus's fiancée; her presence is to be expected," someone chimed in.
Ophelia seethed with disbelief, "Juniper, can't you see? Mary is not really Magnus's fiancée; she's just putting on airs! When has Magnus ever acknowledged her?"
Juniper saw things differently.
Magnus, whom she knew well, would have set the record straight long ago if he truly disliked Mary. He wouldn’t have tolerated her constant presence.
It was just like how he had indulged her own persistent attention in the past.
It was a tacit approval of sorts.
That night, she saw with her own eyes - even a stomachache-stricken Magnus was incredibly patient on the phone, comforting Mary with a tender voice, urging her not to worry and wishing her goodnight.
To Magnus, Mary had become someone significant.
...
At 6:06 PM, the annual celebration officially commenced in Building 6.
Building 6 was a venue reserved for annual meetings and various celebration dinners, spacious and grand. The planning department had been decorating for a week.
The entire celebration dinner was a scene of elegance and sophistication.
The gala started with an address from Robert: “Tonight, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of Sycamore Group. Although Mr. Blackwood should be speaking, you all know he's a man of few words and more action. So I'll do the honors. But Mr. Blackwood did mention that tonight’s bonuses will make your hands sore from clapping.”
Robert, known for his high EQ and humor, received a wave of laughter and fervent applause that instantly ignited the room's atmosphere.
Below the stage, Juniper nudged Ophelia, “With Mr. Robert being so witty, how can you not see that?”
Ophelia rolled her eyes, “At home, Robert wears a completely different mask. Some seem warm but are cold to the core. Then there are those who appear cold but are warm inside — like our Mr. Blackwood, perhaps?”
Juniper quipped, “You really know how to put it sharply.”
On stage, Robert continued with his speech.
Even though Mr. Blackwood didn't take the stage for a speech tonight, it's only fitting that he kicks off this evening's festivities! We've got a little surprise in store. When the lights go out, a spotlight will shine on one lucky lady, who will then have the honor of sharing the opening dance with Mr. Blackwood!"
Excited screams and applause flooded the venue!
In a corner stood Magnus, his expression stern and icy. He turned to Joseph beside him and asked sharply, "Whose bright idea was this?"
Joseph was visibly nervous. "Uh... it might've been Robert's and the planning team's idea?"
Magnus's piercing gaze settled on Joseph.
Waving his hands frantically, Joseph stammered, "Honestly, it wasn't me! I swear!"
"Why didn’t I know about this?"
Speaking almost under his breath, Joseph said, "Didn't you leave all the celebration planning to Robert and Michael? They just..."
The temperature around the man seemed to drop several degrees.
Meanwhile, the game had begun.
The room plunged into darkness.
A beam of cold, white spotlights danced across the floor.
Ophelia's eyes were fixed on the moving light, and when it nearly reached Mary, Ophelia, without thinking, lunged forward, shoving Mary aside.
"Bang!"
The spotlight finally settled on Ophelia, while Mary, who had been knocked to the ground, lay unnoticed.
But the crowd was too thick; nobody on stage could see the fallen figure.
"Ophelia! What the hell!" Mary cursed.
As Mary tried to get up, Ophelia firmly pressed her hand against Mary's head, pushing it back down.
Then, flashing a sculpted fake smile, Ophelia looked back at Juniper and gave her a wink.
Juniper had no idea what she planned to do, but was flabbergasted by Ophelia's antics.
She had actually edged Mary out of the spotlight...
And now was pressing Mary's head down with a single hand.
This woman truly never backed down.
In her high heels, Ophelia approached Magnus gracefully and extended her hand, "Mr. Blackwood, would you do me the honor?"
All eyes in the room instantly turned to Magnus and Ophelia.
Magnus was a man of decorum; he would never create a scene in such a public setting.
And it was just one dance—he wasn't about to make a big deal out of it.
"Care to dance with me, Mrs. Brown? Aren't you afraid Mr. Robert will be displeased?"
"It's just one dance. I believe Mr. Blackwood would prefer dancing with me over Mary."
A slight smirk curled his thin lips as he took Ophelia's hand, leading her gracefully into the opening dance.
While everyone else envied Ophelia's luck,
Robert had already approached Juniper with an invitation, "Miss Beaumont, would you do me the honor?"
"..."
Juniper didn't want to accept, but Robert had already caught her hand and the next second, they were swept into the dance.
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