Chapter 5 - The Feast of Betrayal

Only a day after Elena was officially divorced, her ex-husband's wedding invitation had already reached her.

"You're invited to that asshole's wedding?!" Tamara's voice rose as Elena showed her the gold invitation with the engraved names of Damian Lancaster and Isabella Monroe.

Elena just smiled wryly. "Of course. How could I not be invited? That jerk and that bitch want to see me hurt."

Tamara snorted. "So, you're coming?"

Elena nodded. "Yes."

Tamara was wide-eyed. "El, are you crazy?! What for?!"

Elena looked at the invitation coldly. "I wanted to see it for myself. I wanted to see how quickly someone would replace me and remind myself that I'd never be caught in the same stupidity."

Tamara sighed. "Well, then, you should come and show that bastard that you're okay. You need to look more classy."

Elena smiled as she understood what Tamara was saying.

"Alright, then I'll leave Olivia, Katty, and Delya to you."

"Okay!"

***

As night fell, Elena stepped into the ballroom of the luxury hotel with confidence. Her self-designed black satin gown wrapped her body perfectly, revealing the graceful silhouette that had been hidden behind modesty. Her long hair was pulled into a low bun, and her red lips displayed a thin, meaningful smile.

As she took a step further, whispers began to be heard.

"Who's that?"

"Oh my, she looks perfect. So beautiful and elegant."

However, all the compliments were drowned out once Damian and Isabella appeared on the main stage.

Isabella looked flawless in a diamond-white gown, while Damian stood proudly beside her. In his arms, a small baby curled up with a serene face.

"This is the heir to the Lancaster family, David Lancaster Moreno!"

The guests cheered and applauded. The nobles praised Isabella as a very compatible and worthy woman for Damian.

Meanwhile, Elena stood still, feeling something foreign creep into her heart—the envy she hated.

In ten years of marriage, Damian had never brought himself and his children to a big event like this. Olivia, Katty, and Delya were never proudly introduced. They were always hidden away, as if they were not part of the Lancaster family.

But now, Isabella and her baby were on display in front of the world.

Her eyes heated up.

And as Damian gently kissed the baby's forehead, Elena felt like her heart was being squeezed.

All this time, Damian had never done that with their three children.

Damn it.

Elena turned away, not wanting to look any longer. Her tears were about to fall, but she held them back with force.

But damn it, she was in too much of a hurry.

BRUKK!

She bumped into someone.

The glass of red wine that the man was holding spilled, soaking his expensive suit.

Elena looked up, staring at the man.

He had a sharp face with a solid jaw, cold gray eyes, and a tall, intimidating posture.

Nathaniel Drake Sebastian.

Who wouldn't recognize that name?

He was the most powerful man in the capital, the owner of a business empire that could even shake up the royal family if he wanted to.

Nathaniel looked down at his wet suit, then turned to Elena with an incredulous look. "You've gotten my suit wet, Miss!"

Elena gasped, but instead of apologizing, she turned and walked quickly away from the man.

Nathaniel frowned. "What the hell?"

He stared at the woman's retreating back.

"She didn't apologize?" he muttered, incredulous.

Normally, anyone who wronged him would immediately apologize or even offer compensation. But that woman just ran away.

Nathaniel looked down at his dirty suit and chuckled. "Interesting."

Then, his eyes searched again for the woman who had just spilled wine on him.

For the first time, a woman dared to ignore him.

***

Elena stood in front of the toilet mirror, staring at her reflection blankly. Her eyes flushed slightly, and her lips trembled with emotion.

"Stupid," she whispered to herself. "There's no point in crying over that bastard man."

Her hands quickly wiped away the traces of tears on her cheeks. This was no time to look weak. Isabella must be enjoying her suffering out there, and she would not give that woman the satisfaction of seeing her broken.

Taking a deep breath, Elena fixed her makeup. A faint smile appeared on her face—a cold, calculating smile.

"Come on out, Elena. This is no time to give up," she muttered before stepping out with her head held high.

Once back in the ballroom, the atmosphere was still festive. Classical music played softly, guests chatted with glasses of champagne in hand, and in the middle of the crowd, Isabella stood gracefully, as if waiting for someone.

And sure enough, Elena had only stepped a few meters before a sharp voice greeted her.

"Elena, you came too."

Isabella's tone sounded sweet, but there was venom hidden behind it.

Elena smiled faintly. "Of course I came."

Isabella smiled sarcastically. "You really are a brave woman. Coming to your ex-husband's wedding and seeing his happiness married to another woman. Not all women can be that brave, you know?"

Elena just stared at Isabella expressionlessly. "I don't see happiness. I only saw two traitors showing off their affection."

Isabella's face hardened for a moment before she smiled again.

However, Isabella did not stop there. Her eyes swept over Elena's appearance, then she snorted.

"That necklace you're wearing... It's from a legendary designer, isn't it?" Isabella gave her a dismissive look. "Ah, but wait. I doubt you can buy the real thing. It must be a fake, right?"

Some of the guests began to notice their interaction, whispering in the background.

Elena kept smiling, even though in her heart she wanted to shut the woman up.

"Watch your language, Lady Isabella. Clearly, this necklace is real!"

Isabella chuckled, then approached with a sly look.

"Is it? Well then, let's see for ourselves whether your dress is fake too or not," she said before suddenly grabbing Elena's dress, preparing to rip it off.

Elena reflexively backed away, but before Isabella could pull further, a large hand suddenly held her wrist firmly.

"Miss Isabella Monroe, you seem to have gone too far."

The deep, cold voice made Isabella stiffen instantly. She turned her head, and her eyes widened when she saw the man who had just stopped her.

Nathaniel Drake Sebastian.

The room was instantly silent. All eyes were on the man in the black suit, who stood with an intimidating aura.

Elena was also surprised. She didn't think the man she had bumped into earlier would appear here and stop Isabella.

"Tu—Mr. Nathan?" Isabella stammered.

Nathaniel gave her a cold look before removing his hand from her grip. "I don't like women who act childishly in public, especially one who seeks to humiliate others in such a cheap manner."

Isabella swallowed. "I... I was just joking, Mr. Nathaniel."

"Joking?" Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, then looked at Elena, who was still standing still.

Isabella tried to smile, but it was clear that her face was a little pale.

Then, Nathan turned his gaze to Elena.

"And you," he said in a more casual tone, "looks like we haven't finished our business, does it?"

Elena frowned. "Hah?"

Nathaniel smiled slightly, then pointed at his wine-stained suit.

"Ah," Elena finally realized.

Isabella, who was still near them, also saw the stain and chuckled. "So, he made your suit dirty? Mr. Nathan, you should give her some punishment."

Nathaniel did not respond. He kept his eyes on Elena, waiting for an answer.

Elena sighed, then looked at the man. "Alright, I'll change your suit."

Nathaniel looked at her with an interested expression. "Replace it with what? Money?"

Elena chuckled. "I have a designer friend. I can get him to make a new suit for you. Surely, a suit that's better than the one you're wearing, sir!" How dare Elena speak like that.

Nathaniel was silent for a moment, then chuckled.

"I like confident women," he said, holding out his business card.

"Contact me within three days. I'll collect on your promise."

Elena stared at the card before taking it.

Isabella stared at them with her jaw clenched. She did not like this.

Elena looked at Nathaniel calmly. "Fine. I will keep my promise."

Nathaniel nodded. Then he walked away, leaving the party.

Elena looked at the card in her hand, then smiled a little.

"So, he's the most powerful businessman! Oh my..." Elena said to herself.