Chapter 117

**Chapter 0117**
**Judy’s POV**

“You know your father and I have a long history,” Dalsy said, letting out an awkward chuckle.

Irene nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, his fated mate, my mother…”

“Irene,” I replied, “my father isn’t looking to date right now.”

Daisy pressed her red lips together in a thin line and narrowed her eyes at me. Even she realized that she had to be careful with her words.

“Be careful about what you say in front of Gavin’s daughter,” someone warned.

“We are just friends, of course,” Daisy replied with a tight smile. “Don’t overthink things.” She looked my way and gave me a quick glance, sizing me up.

For a moment, she curled her lip in disgust again. “That dress is too tacky for me. I’ll find something else,” she muttered. Then, she spun on her heel and walked away.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I was holding my breath. The fake smile on Irene’s face vanished instantly as she turned to me.

“I hate that b*tch,” she whispered.

I was taken aback by her words, but soon I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

I chuckled softly. Irene smiled gently at me and nudged me toward the changing room. “Get changed, and we can grab some lunch before we head back. I know you have tutoring this evening,” she said.

“Sounds good,” I replied.

I loved the dress, but it felt nice to wear my regular clothes again. Stacy quickly took the dress and packaged it for me. Irene also found a beautiful dress for herself and packaged it too.

We walked up to the counter, and Stacy began ringing up the dresses.

“For Judy, the dress costs 3 million dollars, and for Irene, it’s 1 million,” Stacy said, looking up from the register.

I was stunned. My jaw dropped in disbelief.

I couldn’t believe how much the dress cost. I was not expecting a simple dress to be so expensive. Without hesitating, Irene took out a black card and handed it to Stacy.

“You can charge the dresses to this card,” Irene said confidently.

She took out her phone to check her messages. I watched her in surprise, amazed at how relaxed she was about spending so much money. Stacy looked thrilled as she charged her card. When the transaction was approved, she printed the receipt.

Irene handed us the receipt and card. She then carefully gave each of us a box. Taylor and Gamma Derek took the boxes from us to help out. They had been so well hidden in the shadows and kept to themselves that I completely forgot they were even there.

I smiled and thanked Taylor as he took my box. He nodded in acknowledgment. We left the store, relieved that we didn’t have any more run-ins with Daisy. After that, we went to grab lunch. This time, everything felt easy and relaxed.

We invited the Gammas and Beta Taylor to join us because we didn’t want to be alone, even for a moment. After we finished lunch, we headed to the Villa so I could tutor Matt.

**+25 BONUS**

**Chapter 0117**

“Do you mind if…”

“Can I steal you away for a minute?” Walter asked during the shooting part of the tutoring session.

Matt was focused on practicing his aim and hardly noticed us, so I just nodded. Walter gently took my arm and led me away.

We walked together, arm in arm, for a little while. Then he stopped and turned to me.

“So, I’m not sure if you heard, but there’s a masquerade gala this weekend,” he said, starting the conversation.

My cheeks turned red, and I nodded while biting my lip. “I just got a couple of tickets to the event,” he said. “And I was wondering if you’d be my date?”

I felt a strange urge to say no, but something stopped me.

“I would love to,” I told him. “It sounds like fun.”

He relaxed his shoulders and sighed with relief. I had just received a stunning dress worth three million dollars, so I couldn’t accept his offer right away.

But the idea intrigued me. It would be an exciting experience, and I was curious about what was involved.

“Great! I’ll pick you up at 8 on Saturday night,” he said, leaning down to gently kiss my cheek.

I nodded in response.

“I will see you then,” I replied.

I watched him as he smiled, feeling a sense of excitement for what was to come.

He hurried away, feeling lighter and more energetic than usual. He hoped that nothing would take this newfound energy away from him.

Saturday arrived quickly, and Irene spent most of the day getting ready for the events ahead.

Emily was excited for the Gala. She couldn’t wait to show off her stunning dress and her handsome fiancé, Ethan, by her side. Ethan told her he would pick her up that evening around 8 pm. After that, they would meet up with Walter and the rest of their friends.

Judy was excited. She and her friends were planning to share a limo for the event that night, and she couldn’t wait.

Her father was also going to the Gala, but he wouldn’t be joining them. He planned to go on his own, without a date.

Irene had suggested to him that he should find someone to take to the Gala, but he refused. The truth was, she didn’t want him to be single at the event, especially since Daisy would also be there, looking for a chance to win over Gavin.

She didn’t want her father and her mother’s sister to get together. The thought annoyed her. She really couldn’t stand her Aunt Daisy and wanted her to stay away from her family.

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