Grace originally wanted to refuse because she was indeed quite tired from flying two round-trip flights today. But with the distance so close, if Scarlett found out she was this nearby and didn't come, she would definitely nag her about it.

  With a helpless sigh, Grace replied: "Okay then, I'll come over a bit later. Is there a dress code?"

  "It's best to be a bit formal, but just wear whatever you find comfortable."

  Grace smiled at the message. Without even thinking, she knew such high-society cocktail parties were always attended by people looking glamorous and radiant — she certainly didn't want to be the odd one out.

  Going to the bathroom to run a hot bath, Grace soaked in a relaxing essential oil bath, after which most of her fatigue dissipated.

  She picked up that sleek black evening dress Chloe had given her and went to stand in front of the full-length mirror. Holding it against herself, she couldn't help but show a satisfied smile.

  Chloe's taste was still excellent. This dress was understated yet luxurious, not excessive overall, but the deep V-neckline at the chest completely set the atmosphere. The ultimate all-black color created a strong visual contrast with her fair, glowing skin, making her whole person shine brilliantly.

  Her hairstyle didn't need to be complicated. She casually tied up her jet-black hair, letting the stray strands at her forehead and on both sides of her cheeks fall loosely, creating a natural, carelessly elegant look.

  Accessories were even simpler: a delicate neck chain paired with a three-dimensional, fully diamond-set pentagram pendant about the size of a fingernail. The entire look instantly became complete and well-rounded.

  Looking at herself in the mirror, Grace couldn't help but admire and marvel: So incredibly beautiful!

  Picking up her phone, she took several beautiful photos and sent them to her sister: "Great taste, I really like it."

  Then, after admiring herself for a good while longer with a satisfied expression, she picked up the chosen small clutch bag and went out.

  Following the navigation westward, she arrived after walking a short distance of less than 500 meters. Hearing the distant clamor of conversation and seeing rows upon rows of luxury cars parked along the roadside from afar, Grace knew she had arrived.

  "Scarlett, I'm here."

  "Darling, I'm still doing my makeup! I'll have Charles come get you!"

  "Okay, I'm on the roadside to the right of the main gate."

  Luxury cars continued to drive in, a clear sign of the extensive social connections of the Vance family.

  Grace waited less than five minutes before she saw Charles, wearing a white shirt, black vest, and bow tie, walking briskly out from the main gate.

  He instinctively glanced left and right, finally resting his gaze on Grace with a mixture of doubt and recognition.

  Behind the thick lenses of his glasses, his eyes were full of uncertainty.

  In the end, it was Grace who, seeing him, stepped forward first to greet him. "Charles!"

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  "Classmate Grace?"

  Looking at the completely transformed, stunningly beautiful Grace before him, he instinctively took two steps back.

  Grace also looked with interest at his outfit for the day — he looked like a junior bartender from a high-end restaurant.

  She wasn't mistaken. Usually, at such Vance family cocktail parties, Charles, as the driver's son, would take on the role of a server, earning some extra money on the side.

  Seeing Charles's shocked expression, Grace smiled generously and asked, "Do I look good today?"

  That single question instantly turned Charles's face bright red, visibly flushing right down to his neck.

  He unconsciously gulped, then awkwardly averted his eyes and said, "Um... she's still in her room doing her makeup. She asked me to bring you inside."

  Seeing him so easily flustered, Grace put away her playful mood and followed him through the main gate.

  The spacious front garden was decorated in a very warm and romantic style, with flowers and buffet counters everywhere, a dazzling array of all kinds of delicacies, and servers dressed identically to Charles, wearing white gloves and carrying trays, attending to the guests.

  There were also chefs grilling meat on the spot, bartenders mixing drinks — everything within sight was exactly like the high-society cocktail parties seen in TV dramas.

  And the appearance of Grace in her black evening dress still instantly attracted the gazes of many people.

  Her beauty was neat, clean, clear, and flawless; from head to toe, even every strand of hair was just perfect.

  But Grace merely followed behind Charles as if no one else was around, entering the villa and ascending to the third floor. Just as she reached the stair landing, she heard the unrestrained laughter of young women coming from a room inside.

  Charles stopped and stepped aside, deliberately avoiding looking at Grace's face, and said with his head lowered, "That room inside is the one."

  "Thank you."

  Charles nodded and fled downstairs as if escaping. Seeing this, Grace couldn't help but laugh.

  "How about this one? I bought it but never wore it!"

  Inside the room, piles of beautiful clothes were strewn across the bed and floor. The originally nearly sixty-square-meter space was messy and slightly crowded.

  Scarlett picked up a dark blue evening gown and held it against herself for her few wealthy young lady friends to see, asking for their opinions.

  "I think this one is prettier than the last one."

  "Scarlett, I really envy you for keeping your figure so well. You can fit into any beautiful dress."

  "I still like the very first satin one the most; it's especially light and airy."

  The three meticulously dressed wealthy young ladies inside the room responded to Scarlett enthusiastically, but this only made Scarlett fall into indecision again.

  Sure enough, having too many clothes wasn't necessarily a good thing. She had been choosing for almost an hour and still hadn't found something satisfactory.

  Just then, the room door was knocked.

  Scarlett's eyes lit up — she knew it must be Grace!

  Casually throwing the dress in her hand aside, Scarlett quickly ran to open the door. The moment she opened it, she too was stunned on the spot.

  A moment later, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my god, darling, you look absolutely stunning!"

  Saying this, she rushed forward and gave Grace a big hug.

  Grace showed an expression caught between laughter and tears, looking at Scarlett, who was still wearing a silk nightgown. "Weren't you already doing your makeup? Why aren't you dressed yet?"

  Scarlett instantly made a sour face, pulling Grace into the room. "You came just in time! I've been picking for an hour and can't decide on anything satisfactory. Quick, give me your opinion!"

  As Grace entered the room, the three girls inside also stood up one after another. Seeing the radiantly beautiful Grace, they too instinctively showed looks of amazement.

  They were all close childhood girlfriends who had grown up with Scarlett since childhood, with similar family backgrounds and perspectives, so their small circle had always been very fixed. Yet they never knew Scarlett had such a beautiful friend.

  "Scarlett, when did you meet such a pretty beauty?"

  "Right, we've never seen her before."

  "She must be your classmate, right?"

  Someone guessed, and guessed correctly, because it was only during university that a few of them were forced apart, so meeting new friends wasn't surprising.

  Hearing her good friends say this, Scarlett felt a sense of shared honor, proudly shaking her head and saying, "Yeah, she's my roommate, named Grace. Beautiful, right?"

  A few of them nodded one after another, affirming Grace's beauty without the slightest concealment.

  Who says girls only feel jealousy towards each other? Who doesn't love a beautiful girl?