did promise you, but you shouldnt have gone against me."


    What are we going to do now? That woman is upstairs, and she won''t being down anytime soon. Odie, I''m the only one who should be by your side. Without me, who are you going to rely on to deal with those men?"


    Leticia''s words made Odie hesitate.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Over the years, Leticia had used her charm to win over many influential figures for the Minton family. He couldn''t possibly depend on Sophie to captivate those men.


    "Odie, give me another chance. I promise I''ll do better... Please..."


    Leticia clung to Odie''s arm, trying to soften his heart.


    Just then, the sound of a piano filled the hall, catching everyone''s attention. A captivating melody floated through the air, enchanting everyone present.


    Odie turned to look, noticing a figure at the piano, their face partly hidden by a hat. The lively tune instantly lifted everyone''s spirits.


    James watched the figure in silence for a moment.


    As the piece ended, genuine apuse broke out.


    Sophie stood up from the piano bench, curtsied, and in that moment, her hat fell to the floor, releasing her long, dark hair like a cascade of ink. The crowd gasped.


    With only a hint of makeup, Sophie''s natural beauty stood out starkly among the heavily adorneddies, making her appear vulnerably exquisite. That sight alone was enough to stir hearts and captivate minds.


    This caught Leticia off guard.


    How was it possible?!


    Sophie walked up to Odie and asked, "Mr. Odie, may I have this dance?"


    Odie, observing Sophie in her disguise, smirked slightly, "Yes."


    Odie reached out his hand, surprising the onlookers.


    For years, no one had ever seen Mr. Odie dance with ady.


    "Isn''t Mr. Odie known for not dancing?"


    "He never danced even when he was with Ms. Leticia."


    "Tsk, tsk, this woman must be something special to make Mr. Odie break his own rules."


    11:49


    As Sophie and Odie stepped into the center of the dance floor, Leticia was stunned. She remembered clearly Odie once saying he had no interest in music or dancing. Yet, here he was, holding out his hand to Sophie.


    When Odie led Sophie to the center, she asked, "Mr. Odie, all this for me?"


    "Wouldn''t want to leave you hanging, me


    would I? Just don''t ask me to dance again."


    e


    "Why not?"


    .Because I can''t."


    Hearing Odie admit he couldn''t


    dance, Sophie was taken aback You can''t dance and yet you reached out to me?"


    "If it weren''t to save face for you, why would I bother?"


    Sophie frowned, "But if you can''t dance, we''ll both end up looking foolish."


    "Dancing isn''t the point; it''s about who you dance with that matters."


    "What?"


    Before Sophie could get a clear answer, Odie skillfully spun-her but and then back into his arms after several twirls.