Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother

Chapter 173

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Matthew came to pick me up just after one in the afternoon on the day of the birthday banquet. He stood tall and handsome outside my apartment, saying he would take me to get styled.

He handed me a long, rectangular, flat box from the back seat and urged me to open it. “This is a dress I had custom–made for you. See if you like it. If not, we still have time to buy another one.”

“Can’t I wear my own clothes? Do I have to change into a formal dress?”

Upon opening the box, I saw a pure black dress with a hint of silvery pearl luster. The knee- length dress combined conservatism with liveliness in its design. The material and style matched perfectly, making it beautiful and valuable.

I didn’t care for luxury goods and wasn’t well–versed in them. But I could tell the value of the dress was significant, just from Matthew saying it was custom–made. It couldn’t be less than 30 or 40 grand.

His actions made me a bit uncomfortable.

He kept saying he just wanted me to go as his companion, with no other implications. It seemed like a spur–of–the–moment idea to bring me into his life.

But custom–making a dress wasn’t a day or two’s affair. This meant he had planned for me to accompany him well in advance, but he just didn’t tell me about it. It was because he was certain I would agree.

some kind of manipulation on his part, but it definitely

Today is a formal occasion. The guests are reputable politicians and businessmen. It’d

for you

change into the dress and shoes. After that, we can head back to the Loxley family mansion

dress box without speaking, wondering if it was too late

I’d be out of place at such

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banquet wouldn’t be as simple as Matthew described. It would likely

to notice my hesitation. He clenched his jaw and didn’t say

man, Roger Thompson giggled flirtatiously, circling me twice and exclaiming exaggeratedly, “Matthew, I thought Ms. Lockwood was the best, but this lady is divine. Such a

uncomfortable. I stepped back

made me feel like an item up

to be

me that I was just one of Matthew’s many companions, no matter how attractive. Who knew who

future girlfriend. We’re going to my father’s birthday

formal. It felt a bit like he

felt even more stifled, and my desire to skip