She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 53

Out of the few haute couture options, Hilda chose a silk evening gown.

It was a pure, deep purple—a very demanding color to pull off.

But Hilda wore the dress beautifully. Her skin was luminous, highlighting her elegant collarbones and slender waist. Hilda wasn't particularly obsessed with working out, but her figure was entirely natural; no amount of time in the gym could replicate curves like hers.

Luther's mother couldn't stop praising her—

"So beautiful."

"You look better than any A-list actress."

As a mother, she naturally wanted her son to have the best of the best.

And Hilda was the best. A woman's beauty was undeniably important; who wouldn't love looking at someone so visually stunning? Despite Luther always acting so serious and proper, at the end of the day, he was still a man, and men appreciated beauty. Occasionally, she had caught Luther staring at the side of Hilda's face. She didn't believe for a second that her son was immune to a face like that.

Inside the massive VIP lounge.

Hilda held the edge of her skirt, genuinely liking it as well.

She didn't realize Eleanor had been called away by a staff member to try on clothes. Now, she and Harrell were the only two left in the entire VIP suite. Harrell happened to be wearing a light beige, finely checkered three-piece suit today, and standing next to Hilda, they looked incredibly compatible. Anyone who didn't know better would assume they were a young, married couple.

Hilda felt the quietness of the room.

Glancing up, she caught Harrell's reflection in the mirror.

It was just her and Harrell.

He was looking at her with profound gentleness, something hidden deep in his eyes.

Something Hilda couldn't respond to.

—He was Luther's cousin.

Harrell reached into his pocket, just about to pull out a small velvet box, when a cold, aristocratic voice rang out from the doorway of the VIP suite: "Hilda."

Luther appeared at the door.

He must have come straight from the company. He wore a purely hand-tailored black suit and a snow-white shirt, his hair styled immaculately, looking devastatingly handsome. He glanced at Harrell with a mild smile. "Harrell, you're here too."

Those simple words carried a clear intent to clear the room.

Harrell stared at Hilda in the mirror for a few seconds.

With a faint smile, he backed out of the room.

He walked out into the hallway to smoke. As he lit a cigarette, his knuckles trembled slightly. An inexplicable emotion filled his lowered eyes—a kind of romantic ache he had never tasted in his entire life.

—He knew he shouldn't, but he had fallen for her anyway.

...

Luther gently closed the door. He walked over to the sofa, took off his jacket and tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and sat down.

With a faint *click*.

He lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag while studying Hilda in the mirror.

He had been quite busy lately, and with Hilda flying to Switzerland, they actually hadn't seen each other for a week. Had it not been for his mother's request, he wouldn't have come here just to play the part of a loving husband with Hilda.

Seeing Hilda in that evening gown, though...

She was truly breathtaking.

"Look, you're seducing me again."

"Look at yourself, how much you like it, how much you're enjoying it."

Hilda's slender back was pressed against the mirror. She tilted her head back, looking like a beautiful mess, the corners of her eyes tinted a seductive red as a single tear slipped down her cheek.

Luther gently kissed it away.

...

Harrell had been standing by the door the entire time.

Luther always looked so proper and serious in front of others.

Harrell had always assumed Luther didn't have much masculine desire for Hilda.

It was only in this moment he realized just how intensely repressed his cousin really was.

His physical restraint was pushed to its absolute limit.

If they weren't out in public, Luther probably would have taken Hilda right then and there, leaving her completely powerless to resist. Harrell suddenly got the feeling that this marriage might not end in divorce after all. Luther didn't quite understand his own true feelings yet. When a man really likes someone, his body is the most honest indicator.

When you like a woman, you want to sleep with her.

It was as simple and direct as that.

From behind him came his aunt Eleanor's voice—

"Harrell."

Harrell slowly turned his head.