7 Lady Katerina

Katerina Blake, a relative of Austin, walked down to the scene with poise, her face, forever impassive.

Her evening dress clung to her body, revealing her tight curves, and silky skin that bounced back the evening's subtle glow.

Upon sighting her, Marcus felt a familiar sensation down his pelvic region, making his face flush.

''What a sweet angel, if I may ask who you are, though?'' He asked, his face softening with a smile.

Unfortunately for him, his question fell on deaf ears. Katerina walked past him, not even sparing him a glance.

The air around Marcus turned awkward, realizing that a lady had just ignored him, and he couldn't help but grimace. His face wrinkling with displeasure.

Lana, on the other hand, also glimpsed at Katerina as she harrumphed, unable to hide her envy, seeing a beautiful lady with a refined composure.

''And why did you call this thing a VIP, wait don't tell me he has been going around, posing as a fake, hahaha.'' Lana burst into laughter.

''Pardon me, but it'll be too funny if you fall for his little trick, young lady.''

''So, tell me, what made you mistake this dead load for a VIP?'' Lana pushed her question further, ready to troll Austin once more.

''That's none of your business— frogs in the well,'' Katerina said, her voice curt and sharp.

''Y-you.'' Lana gritted her teeth, faced with such a ridiculing comment.

''And why are you here?'' Katerina's eyebrows arched, her eyes fixed on Lana.

''Hmph, of course, we're invited… we aren't some posers and a naive wannabe star girl.'' Lana snorted, flaunting their invite plaque.

''Let me properly introduce myself, angel.'' Marcus adjusted his suit, a wide grin plastered on his face.

''I'm Marcus Barrett, one of the new candidates of this esteemed gathering, an elegant lady like you should be in close quarters with an honourable gentleman like me, huh, beauty?'' Marcus offered a friendly handshake, not minding that Lana was right beside him.

However, Marcus' hand hanged mid-air, as the time kept ticking until he finally couldn't bear the shame any more.

His face turned ugly with embarrassment, having been shunned twice in the span of a few minutes.

'This blood-sucking whore,' He thought inwardly.

Treating the two people as farts, Katerina turned her attention to Austin, offering him a warm hug which lingered for a few seconds, making Marcus' face burn with a torrent of dark emotions.

''Give me a few minutes please, lots of work.'' She smiled, her face radiating with a reassuring smile.

After she left the three, Lana, who couldn't hold on to her fuming rage any more, finally got the chance to let it out.

''A cheap slot with such a sickening, fake-ass personality.'' She mumbled, her face a shade of tomato.

''Only a dimwit like you can she deceive with such poor acting, I saw through her right as she entered.''

''And I don't remember asking for an explanation.'' Austin shot back in a calm tone.

''You've got gut now, I see.'' Marcus sent Austin a contemptuous look.

''Well, tell your fake slut that she'll regret choosing you over me by the time I become one of the candidates.'' Marcus raised his shoulder, flaunting his supposed new status.

Sneering, Austin laughed. ''Heavens knew who will regret it very soon.''

''You dare talk back at me, do you know who I am?''

''A grumpy fellow who should get his depression level checked," Austin said, ignoring the look on Marcus' face.

Marcus was about to call for the guards, but Lana pulled him away.

''A mere destined-to-be-slave like him shouldn't make you flare up, baby.'' She whispered, making Marcus reason with her.

''Hmph.'' Marcus snorted.

'How could such a hot chick ignore me for that brat.' He wondered, licking his lower lips as he turned backwards in Austin's direction.

There, he saw Austin busying himself with different dishes.

'He's not even classy.' He frowned.

Austin didn't care about his opinion, though. He had been starving all day long, owing to his swift change of schedule since yesterday. Hence, he dug into the food right away.

After a while, the host gathered everyone's attention as she made the opening speech alongside the introduction of the important guest of the event.

Following that, the hall fell into silence as a lady walked in slow steps filled with purpose onto the stage.

The air around her commanded authority, her evening dress exuding brilliance and class.

''Isn't she too beautiful?'' A man couldn't help but murmur, almost losing the grip of his wine cup.

''Almost like a fairy from heaven,'' Another one added.

However, the more shocked one was none other than Marcus.

His eyes widened in horror, his chest tightening as realization dawned on him.

That person he referred to as a cheap slut posing to be an influential guest was actually a big shot.

Instantly, his palms felt sweaty as his mind raced with various thoughts.

He could only hope that Katerina didn't take offence in his not-so-gentlemanly utterances. And at best, she wouldn't try to teach him a lesson.

Otherwise… he would be risking his spot for one of the candidates. A position he had spent tons of money and energy on.

Unfazed by the background noise and admiration, Katerina grasped the mic, ready to welcome the dignitaries present.

However…

''Bitch!'' A discordant voice beamed from nowhere, making everyone in the hall freeze in their thoughts.