Chapter 8

The next day, Melissa changed into a simple outfit and caught a cab to the Webb residence.

Young elites from all the top families were attending the party today. Kyle's primary goal was to find a suitable match for Lydia to secure a marriage alliance.

Over the past few years, with the unwavering backing of the Davies family, the Webb family had successfully cemented their status among Jindale's elite.

The party had yet to officially begin. Melissa stuck out like a sore thumb among the young heirs and heiresses decked out in high fashion.

However, she didn't mind at all. She just quietly found a secluded corner to sit by herself.

Before long, Lydia slowly walked down the stairs under the admiring gazes of the crowd, wearing a diamond tiara and an exquisite, lavish gown.

With her fair skin and flawless makeup, she looked like a goddess descending into the room.

What drew even more attention was the man at her side—Hayden, the heir to Jindale's most powerful family.

Clad in a black tailored suit, he stood tall and refined. His chiseled features were as cold as ever.

At that moment, he was gently holding up the train of Lydia's dress. They looked like a picture-perfect couple made in heaven.

A wave of whispers and envious gasps rippled through the hall.

"Wow, look at that tiara! Are those deep-sea pearls? Every single one must be worth millions of dollars!"

"And that gown! It's Ms. Aysa's legendary custom piece, the only one in the world!"

"Did you hear? Mr. Davies prepared all of this for her. Even after she spent three years abroad, he's still deeply in love with her!"

"I'm so jealous! They're so perfect for each other!"

Melissa listened quietly, feeling nothing.

Lydia soaked in the endless compliments with a brilliant smile. As she swept her gaze across the room, her eyes quickly locked onto Melissa in the corner.

Picking up a glass of red wine, she sauntered over and said with a smile, "Oh, Melissa! I didn't realize you were here. Forgive me for neglecting you."

Taking in Melissa's plain attire, the surrounding guests snickered softly, while Hayden frowned.

Lydia intimately wrapped a hand around Melissa's arm. "Here, let me toast to you."

Melissa had no choice but to accept the glass of wine, but Lydia let go before she could get a firm grip.

The red wine splashed entirely across Melissa's clothes, while shards from the shattered glass flew upward, slicing open Lydia's ankle.

Lydia let out a sharp cry of pain, "Ah! My ankle!"

Hayden immediately crouched down to inspect the cut.

Tears welled up in Lydia's eyes as she said, "Melissa, even if you dislike me, you didn't have to smash the glass on me."

The surrounding crowd instantly rallied to Lydia's defense. "She looks like a complete hick. So uncouth. Didn't her parents teach her any manners?"

Even after so many years apart from Kyle, Melissa still couldn't stop the sharp pain in her chest.

She was his daughter too, yet now the crowd was saying she had been raised without any manners.

Lydia was the one who let go on purpose, yet every single person pointed fingers at her.

Seeing her stand there frozen without making a move, Hayden ordered coldly, "You hurt her. Apologize."

Melissa felt a sudden tightness in her chest. She turned her gaze to Lydia and said flatly, "I'm sorry."

As Hayden looked at Melissa, a pang of sympathy rose in his chest, but he said nothing. Instead, he scooped Lydia into his arms and carried her away to have her wound treated.

Surrounded by the crowd's mocking sneers and drenched in wine, Melissa walked up to a guest room and changed into a maid's uniform.

After tidying herself up, she went downstairs, only to find Lydia waiting for her by the staircase.

Lydia stared at her with a half-smile. "Melissa, don't you want to know the real truth behind your mother's death back then?"

Melissa's eyes widened as she stared at Lydia in disbelief. Was there more to Aimee's death than she knew?

She pressed urgently, "What do you know? Tell me!"

Watching her frantic reaction, Lydia let out a chuckle. "Follow me, and I'll tell you."