Chapter 378
Bride Behind The Mask
The following morning at the Rosemary Beaumont Hotel.
The grand dining room on the first floor was already bustling with voices and laughter.
But these were not the friends Yuna had invited for Manleyâs birthday, but the staff gathered to welcome Teresaâs parents.
By then, Mauriceâs car had pulled up beneath the open-air staircase of the Rosemary Beaumont Hotel.
Marguerite hadnât initially planned to bring Maurice along, but Teresa was insistent, so she had no choice.
Teresaâs thoughts were simple. She was going to live with her biological parents, so any extra time spent with Maurice was a bonus. Moreover, the invitation read, âFor Teresa and your parents.â It would be weird to bring only her mother.
As soon as the car stopped, Marguerite, holding her daughter and accompanied by Maurice, was awestruck by the scene.
This was⦠a grand spectacle. There was a red carpet, flowers, and a signing boardâ¦
Anyone would think it was a Hollywood celebrity event.
Teresa was dazzled by the new and exciting surroundings, and she wouldnât stop looking around.
âThis is so grand, even my birthdays arenât this big!â The little girl exclaimed, wide-eyed with wonder..
The staff turned their attention to this attractive family trio.
Such a cute little girl!
They couldnât help but strike up a conversation with Teresa, âLittle one, you must not know this. This family is trying to arrange a marriage with the daughter of the guests. This grand event is to welcome their future in-laws!â
Teresa stood on her tiptoes and looked up at Marguerite, âMummy, what is marriage? What are in-
laws?â
Marguerite, exuding a hot mom vibe, lifted Teresa into her arms, âIt means your friend is going to be engaged to a girl classmate.â
Teresa looked confused. Who was getting engaged?
If it was Hayes, he would have told her. So, it must be Manley? But who would want to be engaged to the scruffy Manley?
The trio didnât linger, and in the face of all the attention, they headed straight for the red carpet..
âOn my mark! Music, cueâ
As Marguerite stepped onto the red carpet, the orchestra on both sides of the staircase started playing, followed by the violin, and finally the piano.
The music was melodious, continuous.
Marguerite suddenly regretted dressing too plainly, in a white dress reaching her ankles, a beige coat, and no high heels.
She always dressed for comfort, thinking this was just a simple birthday party, who knew it would be such a grand event!
At such an occasion, she should have worn a formal dress. But it didnât matter, this grand event was to welcome someone else, they were just there to add to the atmosphere.
After walking down the red carpet, they signed their names on the signing board in the hall.
Teresaâs handwriting was squiggly, yet it exuded an innocent and childish charm.
Marguerite was surprised to see that their family was the only signature on the large board.
On such an important occasion, they were the first family to arrive.
The usher stretched out her hand with a smile, bent slightly at the waist, âThis way, please.â
The private room was at the end of the corridor. Just as they rounded the corner, a clumsy waiter accidentally spilled a glass of water, wetting half of Margueriteâs sleeve. The usher was like a cat on hot bricks, scolding sharply, âWhatâs the matter? Canât you watch where youâre going? This is a VIP guest!â
Well, she wanted to say that she was hardly a VIP! The waitstaff here were too easily flustered.
âIâm sorry, maâam! Iâm really sorry! Iâ¦I didnât mean to!â
Maurice frowned, took Margueriteâs arm, and looked at the wet sleeve, âAre you okay?â
The sudden intimacy made Marguerite uncomfortable. She pursed her lips, shook her head, and silently pulled her hand away, turning to the waiter, âIs there a dryer in the restroom?â
âYes, maâam! Iâll take you there right away!â
âItâs okay, I can go myself.â Marguerite looked at Maurice, âThe guests havenât arrived yet. You take Teresa in and wait for me.â
Feeling Margueriteâs distance, Mauriceâs eyes darkened, and he nodded slightly.
Marguerite headed to the restroom, but as soon as she opened the door, she bumped into Yuna, who was dressed in full attire and coming out of the stall.