ขันทีเจ้าเล่ห์กับฮ่องเต้เฉยชา

The shattered credit card hit the marble floor with a sharp crack, silencing the crowded ballroom.

Every head turned, eyes wide with shock.

Lori Reilly's smug smirk vanished. She tore her black stockings with a dramatic flourish. "You girls are pure poison. What, you gonna set me up to get even? Go ahead, get a few guys to rough me up and see if I care."

Herbert Brady's face darkened like a storm rolling in. He ripped off his tailored jacket, draping it over her skirt, then whirled on me with a low growl. "Enough, Mona! Lori apologized. Are you so determined to ruin her reputation?"

He growled, "Enough, Mona! Lori apologized. You really gonna drag her name through the mud?"

I bit my lip, pointing at the crimson stains pooling on the floor. My laugh was bitter, jagged. "Now you care about a girl's honor? Lori obliterated Gail's chastity and drove her to death. Doesn't that demand retribution?"

He froze, his eyes dodging the fire in my glare. His sister, Chloe Brady, leapt up, her voice dripping venom. "Gail doesn't hold a candle to Lori. She's been our fearless queen since childhood, untouchable by any man. Gail was just a broke nobody who probably threw herself at those guys to climb the social ladder."

Lori latched onto Herbert's arm, pressing it against her chest and shaking it like a petulant child. "Guess I got played, huh? Herbert, you can't ditch me for her. You told me that she's just a schemer who got you drunk to trap you. Don't go soft now and forget her betrayal."

I bit my lip, the taste of blood flooding my mouth.

Years ago, I'd been drugged at a party and woke up on Herbert's bed. By morning, gossip about the city's most eligible bachelor's one-night stand had exploded online, forcing his parents to push for our engagement.

Everyone swore I'd set him up, but Herbert claimed he trusted me, no explanation needed. Now, that trust felt like a cruel mockery.

"So, that's what you think of me?" I asked, my voice a low tremor.

Herbert stayed silent, brushing a tear from my cheek. "If you want to be Mrs. Brady, you've gotta tough out the rumors. You and Gail both dreamed of marrying into wealth, but not every guy is like me. Gail brought her fate upon herself."