The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 296

I curled my fingers inward and slipped my hand into the crook of his arm, immediately feeling the dormant muscles beneath the expensive suit snap taut, like a bowstring drawn tight in the dark.

This was the first time I had ever attended a public gathering like this with Ferris.

And it was certainly his first time bringing me, too.

In the next second, a waiter pushed open the gilded doors. The sight of extravagantly dressed guests flooded my vision, and the entire room oozed luxury and exclusivity.

With a simple announcement from the butler, "Dr. Sterling has arrived," the noisy crowd fell into a momentary hush. Instantly, dozens of eyes turned toward Ferris and me.

I unconsciously tightened my grip on his arm as I followed him toward the center of the crowd.

As we got closer, I finally got a clear look at the middle-aged woman standing in the center, who appeared to be in her late forties.

Under the gilded chandeliers, emerald green silk wrapped around her stunning curves. The tips of her three-inch pearl satin heels lightly tapped the Persian rug. The vibrant green bracelet on her wrist caught the light as she held her teacup, and even the sliver of leg exposed by the slit of her dress carried a lazy elegance that a twenty-year-old girl could never replicate.

Seeing us, the corners of her mouth curled up, and she greeted us with a smile, "Ferris, you've arrived."

She was actually calling him by his first name so affectionately.

Ferris dropped his earlier condescending demeanor and replied respectfully, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Lennox."

Mrs. Lennox.

So this was Leon's mother?

"Not at all. I know how busy all of you are," Mrs. Lennox's voice was soft, radiating a good-natured temper. "I'm just happy you could make it."

Looking at her features, I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, though I couldn't remember where I had seen her before. As luck would have it, my gaze locked right onto hers as she looked my way.

"My, what a rare sight. I never expected Ferris to actually bring a date," Mrs. Lennox stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over me. After looking me up and down, she marveled, "Which family does this lovely lady belong to? She's so beautiful. Ferris certainly has a good eye."

"She's standing right beside me. Do you really need to ask?"

His confident voice rang in my ears. I looked up slightly, only to catch a flicker of astonishment in Mrs. Lennox's eyes.

It vanished in an instant.

"Then you really do have a good eye," Mrs. Lennox gave a slight nod. "I'm happy for you..."

After saying that, she glanced toward the staircase behind her, and a crack suddenly appeared on her gentle face.

I followed her line of sight. In a flash, in the shadows of the third step of the spiral staircase, a man with his knuckles rapping casually against the carved railing stood there. It was a familiar figure.

That person was none other than Leon.