CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: STIRRING UP TROUBLE—ZINNIA LAWRENCE OUTSHINES ALL

Three days passed in a blur. Zinnia Lawrence was constantly occupied with dance practice and choreography, preparing for interviews, and squeezing in various part-time jobs. She was so busy that she only managed to get five or six hours of sleep a night.

Around noon that day, she was stopped by Granny Tilton just as she was leaving the hospital after visiting Mason Lawrence. Granny Tilton had come to deliver an invitation and a gown for the homecoming banquet the Sutton family was hosting for Crystal that evening.

"This gown was a cherished possession of Old Mrs. Sutton," she said. "If she were still alive, she would be so gratified to see you wear it."

As Granny Tilton spoke, Zinnia stroked the gown, her gaze filled with affection and nostalgia. Old Mrs. Sutton had doted on Zinnia. When she passed away, Zinnia was still the Sutton family’s treasured young lady, and in Zinnia’s heart, she would always be her most beloved grandmother.

Zinnia agreed to go, but when she entered the banquet hall wearing the gown that evening, she immediately realized something was wrong.

She was wearing the exact same outfit as the night’s guest of honor, Crystal Sutton.

Crystal was in a dark green, V-neck, slim-fit mermaid gown made of velvet, which accentuated her slender figure. She wore a blood-diamond necklace, looking poised and elegant. Zinnia’s gown was made of the exact same material and color, but it featured an ornate, ruffled collar that looked incredibly cumbersome.

With her stunning figure, elegant bearing, and beautiful face, Zinnia didn’t look ugly in the gown. But next to Crystal, the style and taste of her dress seemed hopelessly tacky.

"Pfft, look at what she’s wearing. Is that an antique fresh from an excavation?"

"A fake heiress will always be a fake heiress. Even after being raised by the Sutton family for all those years, a sparrow can’t become a phoenix."

"Tonight is all about Crystal. Who is she trying to upstage with a matching dress? Isn’t she just trying to embarrass Crystal? Too bad her taste is so awful she ended up making a fool of herself. It’s killing me!"

...

The moment Zinnia entered the hall, she was met with a wave of ridicule and whispers.

Crystal, of course, heard it all. A smile played on her lips as she walked over, linking her arm with Zinnia’s. "Sister, what are you doing here? Oh, I mean, I’m so happy you could make it."

Everyone was watching their exchange. After hearing Crystal’s words, their gazes toward Zinnia grew even more scornful. So she came uninvited. How shameless.

Mandy Lowe also noticed the commotion and was about to head over when another stir erupted at the entrance.

"Wow, it’s Young Master Forrest! He actually came! It looks like the rumors about him and Miss Sutton are true!"

"He’s so handsome and has such a powerful presence! He and Miss Sutton are a match made in heaven. They look perfect together!"

The chatter erupted once more. The Suttons and the Forrests were not in the same social echelon; there was a vast gap between them. Zinnia’s marriage to Jenson Forrest was a secret, so absolutely no one here knew that the "fake heiress" was, in fact, the real Young Mrs. Forrest.

Listening to the grating comments, Zinnia turned to look. A tall, imposing man in a well-tailored, dark gray suit was striding toward them. Crystal had already let go of Zinnia, gathering her skirt as she went to greet him joyfully. "Jenson, you’re finally here! We were all waiting for you to start the banquet."

At that moment, the lights suddenly went out. A single spotlight then illuminated Crystal and the man before her. As music began to play, Crystal raised a hand and performed a playful little curtsy. "Mr. Forrest, may I have this dance?"

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Someone bumped into Zinnia, causing her to stumble sideways. Her waist slammed into the corner of a table, and a sharp pain shot through her. Tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily. When she looked up again, she saw the couple gliding gracefully across the dance floor. Her vision blurred. It must be the pain in my waist, she told herself.

She turned, pushed her way out of the crowd, and fled toward the restroom with hurried steps. She never imagined that even here, someone wouldn’t leave her in peace.

Mandy Lowe had followed her. Frowning, she demanded, "Zinnia! Why are you here? And dressed like that? Who are you trying to upstage? Who are you trying to embarrass? This isn’t the place for you. Leave, now!"

"I came with an invitation," Zinnia explained. "Granny Tilton brought me the gown and said that Grandma would have wanted me to be here if she were still alive. That’s the only reason I..."

Mandy cut her off angrily. "What grandma? She’s *Crystal’s* grandmother, not yours! And Granny Tilton retired last month. You’re such a pathological liar! After all these years, do you still have to steal everything that belongs to Crystal?"

Zinnia pressed her lips together. Of course, this was all Crystal’s handiwork. She knew it. If Granny Tilton hadn’t intentionally brought up Old Mrs. Sutton and hit her right where she was most vulnerable, she never would have come.

"I have no interest in stealing her things! But since I’m here, when I leave is my decision. My husband is still out there. So, Aunt Sutton, unless you want me to storm out there right now, drag my husband away with me, and make a huge, ugly scene, I suggest you stop being so aggressive."

If Zinnia announced her relationship with Jenson Forrest now, Crystal would become a complete laughingstock. Mandy Lowe’s expression soured, but her hands were tied.

"For the sake of the six years the Sutton family raised you, please don’t make a scene tonight. Consider this a personal request from me, your aunt."

Zinnia didn’t reply. Mandy Lowe turned and hurried away. Zinnia let out a cold laugh before disappearing into one of the stalls.

When she returned to the banquet hall, the lights were all on again. The Sutton family was at the center of attention, with Jenson Forrest naturally among them. Standing together, they looked like a perfectly harmonious family. By now, most people there had likely already accepted Jenson as the Suttons’ future son-in-law.

"Jenson, I’m a little tired from dancing. Could you help me upstairs to rest for a bit?" Crystal Sutton asked, tilting her head up to look at the man before her. He’s so tall and handsome, so powerful and charismatic. With him standing by my side, everyone here envies me. She truly felt like the happiest princess in the world tonight.

Crystal instinctively reached out to take Jenson’s arm, but he turned away at that exact moment, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. Her hand met empty air. Disappointment pricked at her heart, but just as she turned her head, she saw Zinnia.

Crystal’s pupils constricted as her nails dug into her palms. I thought she would have left heartbroken after seeing me dance with Jenson. She couldn’t believe Zinnia was still here. And not only was she still here, but...

Zinnia had torn the tacky, ruffled collar off the old-fashioned dress, along with the frills at the bottom. Now, it was a bateau-neck dress that revealed her elegant shoulders and collarbones. The skirt, ending above her knees with a jagged, asymmetrical hem, showcased a pair of shockingly beautiful long legs.

She glided forward, a completely transformed woman. Her beauty was so commanding that people instinctively parted to let her pass. Her aura was on full display. The venue gradually fell silent as all eyes were unconsciously drawn to her.

Crystal was livid. She whipped her head around to look at the man beside her and found that Jenson’s gaze was indeed locked firmly on Zinnia. Crystal bit her lip so hard it almost bled. Zinnia! Damn that Zinnia!

In that moment, Crystal was consumed by regret. She should never have invited Zinnia. But it was too late; Zinnia was already standing before them.

Jenson looked at her, his eyes sweeping over her revealing dress. His brow furrowed slightly. "Why are you here?"

He had no idea she was coming tonight.

Zinnia, however, took his question as a sign that he thought she was here to ruin Crystal’s party. Her chest tightened, but she forced a bright smile. "Don’t worry. I know I’m not welcome. I won’t stay long. I’m just here to drop off a gift."

Zinnia then turned to Crystal. "Crystal, this is my homecoming gift for you. I hope you like it."

Zinnia stood before Crystal. At a head taller than the 160-centimeter-tall Crystal, she already had an advantage. Crystal, being pregnant, was wearing flat shoes, which only made her legs look shorter and her proportions unflattering. Zinnia was also in flats, but she had enviably long legs. Combined with the impeccable posture and grace of a dancer, and a face beautiful enough to outshine everyone in the room, the effect was devastating.

The altered dress didn’t fit her perfectly, but it was more than enough to completely overshadow Crystal, making the latter look like a mere handmaiden in comparison.

Zinnia shoved the object in her hand into Crystal’s, whose expression was thunderous. It was a crumpled ball of fabric—the scraps she had torn from her own dress, bundled together carelessly. She had just mockingly thrust her "gift" into Crystal’s hands.

Zinnia didn’t linger. She turned and walked away, leaving Crystal so furious her vision swam. Forcing a smile, Crystal said, "Mom, Dad, I’ll see my sister off."

Jenson frowned and started to step forward, but Simon Sutton held him back. "Jenson, Uncle Sutton would like a word with you about the company. Could we step aside for a moment?"

Zinnia walked away briskly, Crystal’s voice chasing after her. "You did that on purpose! You shameless vixen, showing off your seductive wiles at every opportunity! You must be so proud, seeing all the men unable to take their eyes off you, aren’t you?!"

Zinnia couldn’t be bothered with her raving, but Crystal picked up a decorative pebble from a planter, wrapped it in the wad of torn fabric she was holding, and hurled it at Zinnia.