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Chapter 10 The Kiss

The Howard family's butler had organized the entire engagement party. For Adrian, such lavish events were just routine. Marrying Alice was a matter of duty.

Adrian slipped the engagement ring onto Natalie's middle finger. At the host's prompting, she picked up the other ring, her hands trembling slightly, and placed it on his finger.

"Don't be nervous," Adrian whispered reassuringly.

Natalie felt a pang of bitterness. Adrian chuckled softly, took her hand, and gently guided the ring onto his finger.

The host led the crowd in applause. "Let's wish them all the best. A perfect match!"

Someone in the crowd started chanting, "Adrian, kiss her!"

Adrian, usually aloof, smiled and wrapped an arm around Natalie's waist. Amid gasps from the audience, he kissed her through the veil. Maybe because it was his engagement party, he didn't mind.

Her lips were soft, with a faint cherry blossom scent that made him lose himself for a moment. It reminded him of that night—her innocence and sweetness.

Adrian tightened his grip on her waist, deepening the kiss. Natalie felt breathless, her body going weak. Through the veil, she looked at Adrian, her heart fluttering.

He held her other hand, and the three-minute kiss ended with Natalie trembling slightly from nerves.

"Alice, relax," Adrian whispered with a smile.

Hearing the name "Alice" snapped Natalie back to reality. She was Natalie, just a stand-in for tonight.

After the engagement ceremony, there was a toast. Natalie changed into a light pink gown.

Avery, not entirely trusting Natalie, followed her closely. She didn't like the intimate behavior between Natalie and Adrian during the ceremony, but maintaining relationship with the Howard family was more important.

"Thicken her foundation!" Avery ordered the makeup artist as Natalie emerged in her pink dress. Avery was worried Adrian might notice something.

The makeup artist, unfamiliar with Alice and Natalie, frowned slightly. "Ms. Cullen's skin is in great condition. She looks better this way."

"Just do as I say!" Avery snapped.

The makeup artist reluctantly continued applying makeup, thinking it was just another rich person's eccentricity.

With the heavy makeup, Natalie was still beautiful but lacked her natural innocence. She looked at her unfamiliar reflection in the mirror, clenching her fists in frustration.

In the hallway, Avery whispered a warning, "Natalie, you'd better behave. Don't play tricks, or you'll regret it."

Natalie lowered her eyes. "I understand, Mrs. Cullen."

In the banquet hall, guests had already started lunch. Adrian had changed into a gray suit, looking even more refined.

Seated at the table were Adrian's father, Joe Howard, along with several of Adrian's uncles. Adrian's mother, Claire Howard, was in the hospital and couldn't attend the banquet. Adrian's grandfather, Ruben Howard, had left to rest after meeting Natalie.

"Adrian, why don't you introduce Alice to us?" said Adrian's aunt, Melissa Howard, a graceful and elegant woman who was also Daniel's mother. Years ago, she had married Daniel's father, the eldest son of the Murphy family.

Seeing Daniel made Natalie's nerves flare up again. She was terrified that he might recognize her.

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