Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: Wojo
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Amazingly, about an hour before the party, the venue was nearly complete.
People were moving around diligently, carrying all kinds of supplies.
Since the party itself would begin after dinner, most of the food being placed was dessert.
“Have all the attendees finished eating?”
When I asked, Yang Hye-in slightly bowed her head and said,
“Yes, they’ve just finished their meals.”
One good thing about living in a mansion is, of course, that it’s spacious.
The dining room in this mansion was large enough to accommodate about twenty people, with room to spare.
Of course, since there was only one table, they probably couldn’t eat together all at once.
“…How did the meal preparation go?”
“…….”
Yang Hye-in didn’t respond.
It seems like she handled it all by herself again.
Even though I told her to let someone else or a catering company handle it this time, the fact that she still acted this way shows her firm determination.
I decided not to say anything further.
Until she feels she has repaid all her debts to me, Yang Hye-in won’t stop.
Still, I wished she’d at least allow herself to be taken care of sometimes, like letting someone feed her.
“…Shall we go, then?”
Although I had switched gears and decided to take the lead in this event, I still felt a little sorry for her.
She had handled the hardest part entirely by herself.
To be honest, even if this were a simple party with close friends instead of a large event, I had planned to step forward for my birthday.
But somehow, things spiraled into what they are now.
“Ah, Sara.”
So-hee, who had gathered the attendees beforehand, waved at me.
She was also wearing a red dress.
It was a flashy design that revealed her bare shoulders.
With her pretty face and beautiful figure, the dress gave off a completely different vibe from her usual maid outfit.
If only she would keep her mouth shut, she might actually look like a serious lady…
Well, not quite.
Due to the bleached tips of her hair, no matter how you looked at her, she gave off a slightly rebellious vibe.
Next to So-hee stood Ha-neul and Soo-ah.
Both of them were also wearing red dresses.
Ha-neul’s dress revealed one shoulder and had a rather ornate design, while Soo-ah’s was sleeveless but more modest, not baring her shoulders as much.
Both of them had let their hair down, which they usually kept tied up.
Hmm, these two definitely exuded an air of refinement.
It wouldn’t be strange for Yang Hye-in to bow her head and call them ‘ladies’ right on the spot.
Like them, I was also dressed in a red dress.
Originally, this dress was meant for someone else to wear, so it wasn’t overly decorated, in line with that person’s preference for simplicity.
But it suited me.
I even found myself thinking, maybe I’ll dress them up in it in a dream next time.
And then maybe I’ll lay them down on a bed and enjoy their reactions.
…Well, anyway.
We weren’t the only ones wearing dresses.
Just as many people as the invitations sent by that person had gathered.
In total, there were twenty-one attendees.
Only a few were directly invited by that person, and the rest had followed along.
Some might be hoping to gain something, or maybe just attending this event was already a gain in itself, since being invited by ‘Ye Sara’ leaves a lasting impression.
Of course, it was up to them to maintain that image, but still… the fact remains that it’s a privilege not given to most.
Now I finally understood just how important my name, my status, and my wealth really were.
Ironically, I realized this not through my own experiences, but because that person had spoon-fed me the truth.
Truly, they are remarkable.
I placed a hand on my chest and felt my heart beating.
This heart is mine, but it is also theirs.
…I need to take care of it.
With that in mind, I realized I could never treat my body recklessly.
That thought crossed my mind.
Because I wanted to be with them for a long time.
And to do that, it would be best to maintain my current status for as long as possible.
Alright, then first…
I clapped my hands twice, just like that person had done.
The people, who had been lounging around after their meal, all turned their attention to me.
I no longer feared their gazes.
No, rather, it was them who should be afraid, not me.
The future events that would unfold, and the consequences they would face.
They would be both excited and afraid.
And all of it would start from the invitations sent under my name.
“Alright, everyone. The party will be starting soon.”
Hmm.
How should I put this?
Well, for now… yes, I’ll just speak honestly.
Just like that person always does.
“Some of you may see this as an opportunity, while others may have come out of curiosity. But no matter how you see it, there’s no harm in being here. After all, you’ve all been invited ‘in my name’.”
Yes, my name.
That’s the most important thing.
The ‘only’ daughter of former chairman Ye In-su, the head of the Eugene Group.
The heiress who inherited most of his fortune and is set to inherit the rest.
These are the facts that that person so earnestly wanted me to know.
“So, if by any chance… someone doesn’t recognize you and disrespects you, just use my name. You’re free to use my name here. But please, don’t attack anyone wearing red.”
At the mention of red clothing, people began to look around.
Everyone was wearing red.
That person had seriously wondered if this choice was a mistake, but I thought it was perfect.
Who cares about looking pretty or feeling embarrassed, when it’s all about standing out?
So what if it doesn’t suit everyone?
What’s wrong with being a little too eye-catching?
The most important thing is that everyone wearing red here is on my side.
The future is uncertain, but for now, they’re all moving for me.
These are the people I personally invited.
Well, maybe a few lucky ones happened to wear red by chance and are getting by unnoticed.
It doesn’t matter.
As long as I can bring any group under my ‘influence,’ that’s enough.
Isn’t it said that scholarship students at Hwayoung High School stick to the wealthy students to secure jobs after graduation?
If that’s the case, I just need to operate similarly.
Except, I can move on a much larger scale than most groups.
“Enjoy the party as much as you want, but don’t forget one thing.”
The room was so quiet that I didn’t need to raise my voice for everyone to hear me clearly.
“The only reason you’re here is because I invited you. If you don’t forget that, neither will I.”
Even if they do forget, it doesn’t matter.
New people will come next year, and the year after that.
It’s easy enough to replace people.
I have the ‘ability’ to do so.
…That’s something I also learned thanks to that person.
Once again, I placed my hand over my heart.
It was still beating.
This heart is still beating because of them.
It’s obvious who I should use this heart for.
Well, maybe sometimes I’ll use it for myself, too.
“Now then, let me thank you all in advance. Thank you for coming to my birthday party. I hope you all have a wonderful time. Hopefully, it will become an ‘unforgettable’ memory for you.”
I didn’t know who started clapping first.
But at some point, everyone in the room was clapping.
I smiled at them all.
*
“Hmm.”
As if intrigued, Ye In-hyuk looked around the lobby.
He knew she had inherited this place, but this was only his second time visiting.
Unlike the rather desolate atmosphere of his last visit, this time, it truly felt like a splendid party venue.
Of course, since Ye In-hyuk had been the one to orchestrate this party.
He wanted to make sure that his cousin’s daughter’s first real birthday party would be grand, and he’d even considered her friends to make sure it wouldn’t be overwhelming.
“Was there a dress code?”
“No, I didn’t include any such instructions as per your orders.”
His secretary quickly responded.
“I see…”
Come to think of it, most of the people wearing red looked quite young.
The only adult, if you count carefully, was the servant from last time.
“Then, this must be Sara’s idea.”
It’s a tactic often used.
You tell everyone to dress the same, but give someone different instructions to embarrass them.
Of course, I didn’t think Sara intended to humiliate anyone.
Rather, this was probably a form of ‘camouflage.’
“It’s much better than I expected. There’s no need to worry.”
Ye In-hyuk muttered, looking at Sara from a distance.
The main character of this party, smiling with a competitive glint in her eyes, looked very different from the last time he’d seen her.
Standing in the midst of the crowd dressed in red, she truly looked like the star of the show.