Lucia's birthday party was held at Fun Gate, the best-known hotel near the campus. It had the best buffet and a spacious dance floor, perfect for parties.
When Scott and Brianna arrived at the party, though both were rather casually dressed, everyone gazed at them, amazed by how good-looking and fit they both were, especially Scott. As the youngest CEO and billionaire in the States, Scott had been invited to all sorts of important events and parties, but he had rarely attended any.
Now, he was actually at a birthday party thrown by a group of university students. They applauded and whistled with excitement. Some girls were blushing obviously at the sight of Scott.
Lucia glanced around at her classmates, feeling extremely proud, pleased with their reaction. Then her eyes fell on Brianna's hand around Scott's arm, and she looked angry but worried that Scott would notice, she quickly looked away and ran over to Scott with a happy smile. "Scott, I'm so happy you can come!"
Then, to Brianna's surprise, Lucia smiled at her and greeted her politely, "Thanks for coming, Brianna. You look wonderful." It looks like she has changed her strategy. Brianna thought. I shall play along then.
"Thanks, Lucia. I like your dress." Brianna replied with a smile.
Lucia introduced some of her friends to Scott and talked about her time while studying abroad. She spoke French and German now and then and would intentionally ask Brianna's opinion.
Brianna had never studied abroad and didn't know any French nor German. Awkwardly, she apologized and said she didn't understand. Just then, the band had set up and started playing music.
"This is my favorite tune!" Lucia exclaimed. "Scott, would you like to dance with me, please?"
"You know I'm not interested in dancing." Scott rejected her.
"Come on. It's my birthday." Lucia looked at Scott pleadingly.
Scott hesitated for a bit, then nodded.
Halfway through the song, Lucia twisted her ankle accidentally. "Ouch!" She looked at Scott tearfully.
Worried, Scott carried her off the dance floor and sent for the manager, who came running with the first aid box.
The students were dancing excitedly, and the boys kept asking Brianna to join them. She looked at Scott uncertainty and asked for permission. "Do you mind if I dance with them?"
"I do."
"Err..." Brianna was speechless.
Lucia felt jealous and surprised by the fact that Scott was so protective and possessive of Brianna. She stood up and said, "I can have a little dance with Brianna. We should all have fun, right?"
Scott frowned, looked at Lucia's ankle, and asked, "Doesn't it hurt anymore?"
"The ointment is very good. I can't feel any pain at all." She lied.
Brianna rolled her eyes, wondering what Lucia was plotting this time. Indeed she doesn't have any good intentions. Lucia smiled at her and said, "Shall we?"
Brianna didn't have a choice but to accept.
It had been a few years since Brianna last danced. She loved dancing and was good at it, but during the years when she worked for Liam, she hardly had any time for herself. It was all about work.
As soon as she got on the stage, she remembered it and remembered how much she enjoyed it. The way she danced was just like her, elegant and gentle. Scott wasn't interested at first, but soon he found himself gazing at Brianna. Just as he was to sit down and watch, his phone rang. It was an important client, so he answered.
The stage was too loud. He went out into the corridor. A few minutes later, he noticed that everything went quiet inside before someone screamed in terror. Scott turned around, and through the glass wall, he saw the crowd looking down the stage except for Brianna, who stood alone on the stage and looked confused.
He quickly hung up and went inside. When he walked past the crowd and saw Lucia lying on the floor in a little puddle of blood, he rushed over and gently picked her up. He glared around the crowd, then looked up at Brianna on the stage and questioned, "How the hell did it happen?"
Brianna didn't have a clue either. She felt a sharp pain in her palm while dancing with Lucia, and subconsciously, she pushed Lucia away from her. Lucia fell off the stage.
It felt like a poke of a needle. Brianna had a look at her palm, and there was just a tiny bit of blood, and one could hardly tell. What the crowd saw was that she pushed Lucia off the stage. And they were Lucia's classmates, while she was just a stranger to them. They will not believe me whatever I say. They will not believe that this is a trap set by Lucia. Brianna thought.
Seeing the furious look on Scott's face, Brianna understood that there was no point in explaining to him either.
Her silence angered him even more. "Brianna! I can't believe you did this to Lucia!"
"I... Scott, I didn't..." Brianna stuttered.
"Lucia was just dancing with you, and you two were smiling then, but all of a sudden, you pushed her!" A guy shouted.
"I saw it too. I was dancing close to you, and I heard you talking. Lucia was asking you when your birthday was, and suddenly, you pushed her!" A girl joined in.
"You look like a nice and gentle person, but you are so evil!"
Lucia pulled Scott's shirt and said weakly, "Scott, it's my own fault. I shouldn't have asked you to come. She must be upset that I made you come to the party. I... I just thought you are my only family..." Tears filled her eyes as she spoke.
Scott felt guilty and furious. He carried Lucia out without taking another look at Brianna.
Brianna ran after them and caught up just as they got into the car and were about to leave for the hospital. She shouted after Scott, "Scott, think about it! Why would I do that to her with all her classmates watching?! I'm not stupid!"
"No, you are not. You are very clever. The worst timing is the best timing. Brianna, you've crossed the line." Scott retorted angrily.