Just as Wayne had told her, the next morning a large number of gowns were delivered to Luo Residence.

Stacy had already bought her gown so these were only meant for Lina to choose from.

For the rest of the day, Lina was confined to her room where she was made to rest in order to regain her strength for the next day's party.

No matter how much she tried to assure them that she was fine, they never let her even look at the TV so getting her phone back was completely out of the question.

___

Sunday evening.

A few hours before Lina's official debut into high society.

They had already arrived at the venue of the party which was the most lavish hotel in the city, The Pontiac.

This place was known for its luxurious two-storeyed banquet hall and the gorgeous terrace garden that was a sight to behold.

Right now, Lina and Stacy were relaxing in the rooms that Uncle Pat had reserved for them.

"I don't understand how Uncle Pat could have asked for such colors when he clearly knows my preferences." Lina grumbled under her breath but Stacy heard it.

'Because he wanted you to wear that particular dress!' She glanced at the dress that was hung on the wall and then silently turned away.

Knowing Lina, she would have opted for the blandest dress she could lay her eyes on, so Ace decided to trick her by getting gowns in the colors that she would never wear.

But mixed in them would be the perfect dress that she could never resist and that was exactly what had happened.

When Lina's eyes fell on that dress she instantly decided to wear that for the party.

But now she was hesitating.

'I was momentarily blinded by that dress but now that I am looking at it… I am sure that it will attract a lot of attention.' Lina sighed and looked away.

While Lina and Stacy were hanging out in this room, the rest of the members of high society were all busy preparing to witness the introduction of the so-called 'important' person.

---

Talia Zheng was putting on her yellow diamond earrings when her sister walked into the room.

"Jie, will the Yang family really accept that bastard child?" Valerie sneered when she thought of that woman who would follow around Jeanette Liang like a lost puppy.

"Does it matter to us? Just another insignificant woman making her appearance before us won't change a thing." Talia handed the necklace to her sister and moved her hair aside.

"I guess you are right." She chuckled and stood behind her.

She then clasped the necklace securely around Talia's neck and laid her hair back.

The Zheng sisters were just attending this party because it would give them a chance to meet the men of their dreams and nothing more.

----

In the Liang household, Burt was pacing around anxiously as he glimpsed at the watch on his hand for the hundredth time.

"Jeanie, hurry up! We will be late!" He yelled out when he saw no signs of his daughter's arrival.

"Coming!" Jeanette walked down the stairs in a deep red satin ball gown.

The words of haste that were about to leave Burt's lips, paused when he caught sight of his daughter.

Jeanette smiled and walked up to him at a slow pace.

"How do I look?" She twirled around and waited to see how he would react.

"If your mother was here then she would have been so proud to see the beautiful and elegant young lady you have become." He spoke in a soft voice as a sad smile appeared on his lips.

Jeanette hugged him tight and wiped the tear that formed in her eyes.

'I wore mom's old dress just to remind you of her presence.' She thought as she hid her face in his arms.

Every time she remembered the thing she had discovered in his study, she felt like crying but she knew that now was not the time to cry like a child.

'I will make sure that daddy doesn't get trapped in any mess!' She clenched his arms tight before letting go.

"Oh, look at the time. Let's leave early to beat the traffic." Burt held her hand and led her out of the door.

Seeing that her father had once again become anxious to leave, Jeanette frowned but did not stop him.

'Are you excited because you think that you will meet her at this party?' The words that she so desperately wanted to blurt out were once again swallowed because she was afraid of what his answer might be.

-----

In the Huo household, Moira Huo stood on her toes as she tied the tie around her husband's neck.

"Thank you, darling." Ralph Huo pecked her on the nose after she had completed her task and watched her scurry away from him.

"Still so shy!" He chuckled as he shook his head.

Even after so many years of their marriage and after having such an old son, she still was naive and innocent as the first day he had met her.

This part of her drew him closer to her but at the same time, it scared him.

He knew that his wife was easily manipulated because she believed people too quickly.

But what could he do other than to secretly protect her from the shadows?

'Renee was right, I need to teach her to stand up for herself.' He knew that he had been too protective of her in the past but now it had just become a habit that he couldn't let go of.

"I'm ready." His wife's sweet voice broke his thoughts and he looked in her direction.

"My wife is still the prettiest." He walked up to her and stood behind her.

The old couple stared at their reflections in the mirror and smiled contentedly.

They then turned and walked towards the hall where they found a figure already sitting on the couch.

"Oh, you finally agreed to tag along." Ralph mocked the young man who was fiddling with his phone.

"Don't tease my boy!" Moira punched her husband's shoulder and abandoned him for her son.

Louis Huo glanced up from his phone and smiled at his mother.

The man stood up and hugged her tight as he had met her after a long time.

"Enough already! Go get your own wife if you want to hug someone!" Ralph pulled his wife away and held her in his arms.

Louis sneered at his father and then walked out of the room.

"You just had to make him run away, huh?" Moira looked at her son's disappearing back and chided Ralph.

"Ignore him." He pulled his wife along as they left the house and entered the car that their chauffeur had driven out.

Moira's eyes sparkled when she saw the car that stopped beside theirs.

"I'll meet you there." Louis nodded at her and then zoomed out of the Huo family house.

"I told you that he would come." Ralph held her hand and they too set out for the party.

----

In the Ming Residence,

Renee paced around the room as she tried to connect with her son on a phone call.

The result was the same as the dozens of calls she had made previously.

"The number you have dialed is not within the network area. Please try calling later." The mechanical female voice could be heard on the phone.

"Where is this boy!? I told him to be back before the party starts and he still hasn't arrived!" She felt like smashing her phone on the ground.

Her hands however stopped when she thought of the thousands of pictures that were saved on it.

'I can't lose these.' She held the phone close to her chest and decided against her phone smashing plan.

"Will you relax? He must be stuck in traffic. He will show up after he's done with his work." Felix hugged his wife and tried to calm her down.

"I just hope he comes, even if it is for a quick second." She sighed and then looked at the time on her phone.

"The party will begin in a few minutes, let's leave now." Felix spoke after he noticed her actions.

Having no other option, Renee dejectedly nodded and then covered herself with a soft Cashmere shawl before holding onto Felix's arm.

"Escort your wife, my handsome husband." She instructed and then kissed him on the cheek.

"With pleasure, my lady." Felix played along and gladly led her out of the door.

---

The men of the Luo family were all rushing to make last-minute preparations as the time for the party was at hand.

Ace tied the tie around Pat's neck and adjusted his collar.

"My Pat looked good enough to be eaten alive." He softly growled in Pat's ear and then moved away as though he had not just said something inappropriate with the kids right next to them.

'Looks like last time's punishment was not enough!' Pat glared at Wally and smirked evilly.

"Just you wait." He mouthed those words and then turned to look at his face in the mirror.

Wayne and Wade were aware of their flirtatious nature and hence decided to ignore their uncles.

They glanced at each other and were pleased with their clothes.

"Ready?" Wayne asked and all the men in the room expressed their agreement.

"Then let us make this night the best night for our Nana's debut that this city will never forget!" He pumped his fists in the air and then strode out.

The others shook their heads at his enthusiastic behavior and they too followed after him.