Chapter 155 The Setup

Gasps of envy and awe filled the air.

At that moment, Martha suddenly let out a sharp cry, pointing toward a spot not far awayi. /iFranklin’s expression darkened with displeasure. They were surrounded by people of status and pedigree—those blong /bustomed to power and prestige, who carried themselves withposed elegance. Martha’s outburst was embarrassingly out of ce, drawing unnecessary attention.

“I see her! That’s the woman!” she eximed,pletely ignoring Franklin’s increasingly stormy face: She grabbed his hand and pointed ahead to the left.

Though Franklin was annoyed, no one else seemed to have noticed them. He reluctantly followed the direction she indicated.

“She’s the one who hit me!” Martha hissed. “Look at her–dressed so inly. Probably just here to leech off the rich and powerful!”

Franklin sized up Hudson. She was a guest at the banquet tonight, but instead of a traditional gown, she wore a sleek modernized suit with Eastern influences–something that allowed for movement and wouldn’t appear out of ce among the extravagantly dressed guests. At her level, it didn’t matter what she wore–no one dared to question her. For those without standing, even wearing gold leaf wouldn’t earn them a second nce.

After years of watching the tides of social status rise and fall, Hudson no longer cared about such trivial details.

“That outfit’s definitely not expensive,” Eugene observed, narrowing his eyes. He’d worked in the entertainment industry for years and had a good eye for fashion and branding. “It’s a new irelease /ifrom this year–part of a traditional–style series. Stylish enough for the asion, but it costs only around three hundred thousand.”

Martha scoffed the moment she heard the price. Only three hundred thousand? Her gown had cost over a million. If Scarlett wanted to cling to someone powerful, couldn’t she pick someone with actual wealth?

But then she reconsidered. Scarlett came from,the countryside and only made it into Trenwyn through sheer luck. She hadn’t seen much of the world. On top of that, the Joyner family had deliberately kept iher /iat arm’s length all these years. Naturally, she hadn’t had any opportunities to mingle with high society. No wonder she was so cheap and small–minded.

Martha smirked, already imagining Scarlett’s face when she realized her so–called backer wasn’t even close to the Joyners‘ level. She’d probably be livid. Just picturing her tossing and turning in frustration was enough to lift Martha’s mood.

“Honey, you’ve got to stand up for me,” she whispered.

Franklin held her back. This wasn’t the kind of ce where they could justsh out and settle scores. This was the Lane family’s estate. Any misstep here could ruin their reputation in Jalindale’s elite circles for good.

“Let’s talk to her first. Figure out who she is, then we can n our next move.”

Oliver nodded in agreement. “Mom, Dad’s right. Today isn’t the day to cause a scene. But I promise bI /bbwon’t /blet her get away with it.”

co” he added coldly, “we get her thrown out quietly. Once she’s out of the Lane family’s bcircle/bb, /bher

Chapter b155 /bThe Setup

power /bbis /bgone for good.”

bThat /bthought thrilled Martha even more. Compared to a direct confrontation, slowly suffocating byour /benemy in silence was far more satisfying.

“Alright, Oliver. I’ll leave it to you.”

The family set off toward Hudson without dy.

Connor had wanted to stop them, but they moved too fast. He shut his mouth instead. There was bno /bbpoint /bin drawing attention. He figured he’d stroll through the hall and try to find the Lane family’s coordinator. bIf /bnot, maybe he could get lucky and strike up a conversation with another major yer.

In his haste, he identally bumped into a girl walking in the opposite direction.

“You okay?” he asked quickly, reaching out to steady her.

When he saw her face, he was momentarily stunned by her beauty. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where bI /bwas going. Are you alright, missb?/bb” /b

Aurora had bumped into him on purpose. She’d done her homework.

Scarlett, back in Trenwyn, had obeyed every word from the Joyner family and worshipped her fiancé like bhe /bhung the moon. Even after breaking ties with the Joyners for some unknown reason, she seemed to remain emotionally entangled with the man.

Madam Susan, Scarlett’s grandmother, favored whichever child showed the most promise. That meant the moment Scarlett made a name for herself at the medical exchange conference, she earned the old woman’s admiration. If that hadn’t happened, the matriarch would’ve never bothered picking her up in person when she returned.

But what if Scarlett found out her beloved fiancé no longer loved her? Worse, that he had fallen for someone else? Wouldn’t she spiral into heartbreak and give up on everything?

Aurora gave a soft smile. “I’m fine. It’s my fault too–I wasn’t paying attention.”

Her voice was like water–gentle and rippling. It stirred something deep in Connor’s chest.

“I’m d you’re okay,” he said, quickly pulling out his phone. “But just in case, let’s exchange contact info. If you feel unwellter, you can reach out and I’ll make it right.”

Aurora didn’t hesitate. She scanned his code and added him as a contact. Just before leaving, she gave him a bashful smile over her shoulder.

It was like a feather brushing against his heart. He felt the blood rush through his veins.

Curious, he quietly asked someone nearby who the girl was.

To his shock, he learned she was the Lane family matriarch’s favorite granddaughter.

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