جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 370

Sophia worried Amelia might simply brush off Eve’s provocation, so she quickly stepped in and said, "Amelia, I don't think you got the invitation dishonestly, but, well, others might not be so sure. How about you…"She let the sentence trail off deliberately, the implication sharp as a blade, Amelia needed to prove her innocence.Before Amelia could utter a word, the crowd had already erupted into cutting murmurs.“This woman carries herself with no class at all. There's no way she got that invitation the right way."“I actually thought she was someone from high society. But turns out she's just some temptress who got here by clinging to a sugar daddy."“She doesn't strike me as respectable. First, her adoptive parents cut her off. Then, she became a cast-off ex-wife from a prominent family. She must've done something serious for both families to disown her."“Didn't you hear what that lady just said about her? She has a sugar daddy. Bet she cheated, that's why she ended up divorced."

“Eve…” Sophia grabbed Eve’s arm and leaned in to whisper, "Just say it. One word. That's all it takes. Otherwise, we'll all get kicked out."Eve blinked as the fog in her brain cleared, and reality hit her like a slap. They hadn't jumped through all those hoops just to get kicked out now. They'd put in way too much effort to get invited to this birthday banquet, had even dropped half a billion on a famous painting, all to win Margot's favor. They couldn't get thrown out. They had to stay, no matter what. Otherwise, everything they'd done up until now would be for nothing.Once again, Eve felt it was all that bitch Amelia’s fault! If Amelia had just agreed to sell them Feathers of the Divine, they wouldn't have been forced to spend half a billion on a backup.Then, Eve’s lips twisted into a cold smile. The irony was delicious, Amelia was here too, hoping to curry favor with Margot using the famous painting Feathers of the Divine.But Eve assumed she and her family had the upper hand. Th

"Grandma, this has nothing to do with repaying a debt. I genuinely have feelings for Amelia. She's the only woman I will ever love in this life," Lucas said, his tone cold but sincere.It was the first time Margot had ever heard him speak so plainly and honestly. The gravity of his words caught her off guard. This was a rare moment in Lucas’ life, one where he cast aside his usual reserve to confess his affection toward a woman.It was painfully clear that Lucas truly cared for Amelia. Cared for her enough to speak more than a few clipped words like he used to. Cared for her enough to let down his usually rigid, indifferent guard.Cared for her enough to say aloud what he usually kept hidden, especially given his usual indifference to women.Margot let out a long, quiet sigh. Her thoughts drifted to the pleading eyes of her late husband in his final moments. Despite everything, she still felt the need to try once more. "I'm not trying to force you into marrying Vickie, but when it come

"Not a big deal, just scraped my hand a bit." Trying to play it cool, Desmond lifted his hand, showing off the reddened knuckles.“Why'd you get into a fight?" Amelia frowned, her gaze fixed on his hand. "Did someone insult you?" She knew Desmond wasn't the type to start anything, so someone must've provoked him first.“Yeah." Desmond nodded. He didn't want her to know that the young man had badmouthed her. No point in making her upset over idiots like that.“Good for you. If someone's running their mouth, punch 'em. As long as you win, nothing else matters." Amelia gave him a light shove from behind. "Come on, let me put some ointment on your hand."Desmond, grinning like a fool, was caught off guard and nearly stumbled. "Ah! You brute! Why are you pushing me? Couldn't you just hold my hand?”“Shut it. I'm taking you to treat your hand."“Even if you are, why push me? Can't you be a little gentler?" he muttered, dramatically. "Heartless woman… If I help you again, I'll be a damn fool.

“You will invite Mr. Sullivan to dance," Lorraine replied. "If he turns you down, you must leave the banquet immediately. But if he accepts, I'll be the one to leave."Inwardly, Lorraine was smirking. She had secured the safer, passive seat of this wager, while Amelia would have to risk walking alone into the jaws of public humiliation.Given Lucas’ cool, untouchable air, Lorraine believed there wasn't the faintest chance Amelia could win. Until now, not a single woman had coaxed Lucas onto the dance floor; every attempt had met with polite dismissal. Even Vickie, practically raised by the Sullivan family, had failed. To this day, no one had ever seen Lucas dance with anyone.“No," Amelia answered, her lips curving faintly, "Not unless you come with me. Whoever succeeds wins. But if neither of us manages it, I'll admit defeat."Lorraine hesitated, the thought of joining Amelia clearly distasteful. Yet, if she refused, Amelia wouldn't agree to the challenge. After a brief inner debate,