There was not a single flaw to be found. Neatly combed hair and a well-fitted tailcoat, an air of dignity wafting like perfume, and a polite yet cultured way of speaking.

“After that incident, I strived to escape from my father’s shadow. Now I’ve started a small publishing company.”

He handed his business card to Jacqueline. She accepted it with another sociable smile.

“A publishing company, how unexpected.”

“As a matter of fact, when I heard that Miss Somerset was at the Preston mansion, I was just about to contact you. Meeting like this today, it seems we were destined after all.”

Jacqueline smiled bitterly once again. The face of Earl Knox, who would not be pleased with their meeting, came to mind.

No one here was naive enough to believe that marriage was the fruit of love. Marriage was a union of families to gain more wealth and power.

And to Earl Knox, Jacqueline was just a ‘penniless lady’ of no use. Her eyes, gazing intently at Evan, slowly sank.

“Miss Somerset, would you introduce me to the gentleman with you?”

At that moment, Windsor interjected with a composed manner. Evan turned his head first. The young man’s bright eyes were filled with goodwill.

Jacqueline hesitated for a moment with a surprised expression, then soon opened her mouth.

“This is Evan Knox, the eldest son of Earl Brandon Knox. Mr. Knox, this is Lord Preston.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lord Preston.”

Evan extended his hand towards him. The young man with bright eyes offered a refreshing smile.

He did not suspect the intentions of someone he had just met. He readily expressed his liking and offered a handshake first. It was a natural action, as if goodwill was ingrained in him.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Knox. Thank you for attending the banquet.”

“Not at all. Thank you for inviting me…?”

Evan’s eyes, which had been casually greeting, suddenly took on a puzzled look. His gaze moved to the hand clasped with Windsor’s.

Hm?

Windsor Preston’s grip was strong. Almost as if he would crush his hand.

He used to be in the navy, so I guess that’s why he’s so strong.

Evan thought calmly and laughed, “Haha.” However, Windsor did not release the hand he was holding. Evan’s hand started to turn white.

Hmm?

Evan’s brow furrowed slightly. His refreshing smile gradually faded.

Jacqueline leaned her upper body close to Windsor and covered her mouth with her palm. She whispered very softly so that only Windsor could hear.

“I think you’re shaking hands for too long, Lord Preston. That’s a breach of etiquette.”

Windsor’s eyebrow twitched. Soon he returned to his usual indifferent expression.

“Well then, I hope you enjoy your time, Mr. Knox.”

Windsor slowly released the hand he was holding. Evan sighed in relief as he clenched and unclenched his hand, which was tingling as if electricity was running through it.

Quickly returning to a smiling face, he said “Thank you,” then turned his gaze to Jacqueline.

“Oh, please don’t take Lord Saltrain’s words to heart earlier. Isn’t he always like that?”

“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Knox. But I’ve already forgotten about that gentleman.”

“Hahaha. That’s good then. I was worried that he might have hurt Miss Somerset’s feelings. Now I’m relieved.”

Windsor stared at Evan with faintly furrowed eyes.

Generally, he did not judge people’s likes and dislikes based on first impressions. The army was like a melting pot where all sorts of people gathered.

There were many who hid malice behind smiling faces, and many who hid loyalty behind stoic faces. So judging someone by appearance alone was a hasty action.

But he disliked Evan Knox from the first impression. Wondering what the reason might be, Windsor slightly raised his eyebrows.

Perhaps it was because he stood at the exact opposite of himself. A person chosen from birth.

Not a hint of shadow could be felt from Evan. His sociable smile and gesture of offering a handshake first, all his actions exuded elegance and confidence.

He must have received the expectations and love of those around him from the moment he was born. Just like Jacqueline Somerset, quite naturally.

Yes, that must be the reason. There was no other reason.

“Miss Somerset, if you have some time…”

“I’m afraid I have to go now, Mr. Evan Knox. I still have things to do.”

Jacqueline bid farewell without giving Evan a chance to speak. He opened and closed his mouth with a regretful expression, then nodded.

His already drooping eyes took on an even more dejected look. But soon he put on a gentle smile.

“It seems I’ve taken up your time. I’ll contact you again when it’s convenient for you, Miss Somerset.”

Instead of answering, Jacqueline quickly ascended the spiral staircase. Young ladies who had attended the same school were staring at her intently.

It felt as if their gazes took physical form and chased after her. Jacqueline left the place as if she were fleeing. But then.

“Wait a moment, Jackie.”

A familiar voice caught her ankle. Jacqueline hesitated and slowly turned her head. A woman with chubby cheeks and deep dimples was standing right behind her.

Her small shoulders heaved heavily, as if she had rushed after her urgently. Jacqueline’s eyes widened.

“Samantha?”

“Jackie!”

Samantha hugged her tightly. Jacqueline gave a welcoming smile to her long-lost friend.

“It’s been so long!”

“Jackie, when did you come to the capital? Goodness! The Preston mansion!”

Samantha detached herself from the embrace and slightly raised both hands.

She was like a small squirrel. Her chubby cheeks were always full of cookies and cakes, and her two legs moved busily in search of more desserts.

“And not a single call to me! How could you?”

Jacqueline gave an awkward smile at Samantha’s expression filled with betrayal. It wasn’t that she had deliberately avoided her, but somehow the situation had turned out that way.

“I’m sorry, Samantha.”

Samantha seemed to guess the story behind the words Jacqueline didn’t say, and soon put on a thoughtful expression.

And once again, she hugged her. Her round eyes wavered as if she might cry at any moment.

“But I’m relieved to see you looking healthy. Thank goodness!”

“Yes.”

Jacqueline closed her eyes, resting her cheek on Samantha’s shoulder. There was a sweet dessert smell. It was so very like her that Jacqueline couldn’t help but smile softly.

At that moment, Samantha quietly lowered her voice.

“I saw Elizabeth and Victoria attending earlier, let’s move to another place before they notice…”

“My, who do we have here? Isn’t it the penniless lady, Jacqueline Somerset?”

Samantha, who was slowly turning around, frowned and muttered, “Too late.” Jacqueline found this situation quite awkward, meeting people she didn’t want to see all at once.

However, she didn’t want to appear intimidated. That was her last pride.

Jacqueline straightened her back and slightly raised her chin, as if to show that she was still going strong.

A haughty voice escaped from between her teeth. As if she had returned to Bristol Girls’ Boarding School.

“It’s been a while, Elizabeth. And Victoria.”

“I heard rumors that you became Benjamin Preston’s tutor, and it seems they were true. My goodness, a tutor. It looks like the Somerset family really has no hope of recovery.”

“So does that mean you’ll have to work for the rest of your life? Having to do labor like commoners do, you must be having a hard time.”

Elizabeth and Victoria threw mocking concerns. But Jacqueline didn’t even blink.

“Thank you for your concern, Liz, and Victoria.”

“Oh my, did it sound like we were concerned?”

Elizabeth covered her mouth with her fan and burst into giggles. Victoria, watching her reaction, joined in with a sneer.

Jacqueline stared blankly at Elizabeth. Her bad blood with her went back quite a long way. In fact, it went all the way back to the day Elizabeth was born.

Elizabeth Greenwood.

She was the daughter of Walter Greenwood. Since he was Jacqueline’s godfather, one might think the two would be quite close, but Elizabeth disliked Jacqueline from the start.

Even when she was too young to speak, she would often burst into tears whenever Walter talked with Jacqueline.

When she got a bit older, whenever Walter tried to spend time with Jacqueline, she would suddenly appear out of nowhere to interfere.

―I’m sorry, Jackie. I’ve spoiled Liz too much.

She remembered Walter saying that once. The words ‘That’s not spoiled, that’s just having a nasty temperament’ had lingered on the tip of her tongue then.

Moreover, her competitive spirit was so strong that when Jacqueline said she was entering Bristol Girls’ Boarding School, Elizabeth, two years younger, stubbornly insisted on entering the same school.

And she picked fights with Jacqueline over every little thing. The whole school knew about their bad relationship.

If you dislike someone, wouldn’t it be better to just avoid them rather than deliberately following them around to pick fights?

Jacqueline couldn’t understand her with her common sense. But Elizabeth didn’t mind that troublesome task. As if tormenting Jacqueline was the joy of her life.

Samantha, who had put both hands on her hips, snapped sharply.

“Give it a rest, you two. How long has it been since we graduated, and you’re still acting childishly like students? Isn’t it time to grow up?”

“What about you? How long has it been since you graduated, and you’re still playing the role of Jacqueline’s maid?”

“What? Maid? Are you done talking?”

Samantha raised her chin, looking up at Elizabeth who was taller than her. Elizabeth pulled one corner of her mouth, looking down at Samantha.

Jacqueline, who had been quiet, stepped between them. She gave a friendly smile towards Samantha.

“Let’s go home for today, and meet quietly just the two of us next time. We have a lot to talk about, Samantha.”

And this time, she turned her gaze to Elizabeth and Victoria in turn.

“If you don’t intend to ruin the banquet hosted by Lord Preston, why don’t we stop here, Liz? Your fiancé is looking this way, wondering what’s going on.”

“!”

Only then did Elizabeth turn her head with a startled face.

At the bottom of the stairs, her fiancé was looking up at them. He seemed to be waiting to ask her for a dance.

“If you’re not going to fight with me, pulling each other’s hair in front of your fiancé who’s expecting a dance with you, then quietly withdraw now. I’m ready to accept your challenge anytime.”

Jacqueline whispered affectionately with a smiling face. She unfurled her fingers one by one as if she was really going to pull Elizabeth’s hair.