57

    55 vouchers

    “Though getting physically tossed would really be the ultimate humiliation for the Evans family, wouldn’t it?”

    Lucas’s most striking feature was his handsome, defiant face, mixed with a reckless, untamable wildness. Right now, that face was lit by a wicked, utterly arrogant grin.

    Despite her rage, Natalie found herself faltering under the force of his looks and his sheer audacity. She couldn’t muster a sufficiently cutting retort. “Fine, Lucas. Just you wait!” she finally spat out before storming off in a huff.

    *****

    Time flew by, and soon the day of the Shea family party arrived. On January 27th, under a light fall of snow, preparations were underway at the Shea family’s countryside vi.

    The guest list was so extensive that no hotel could have amodated it, prompting the Sheas to purchase a sprawling estate just outside Hirica specifically for hosting such grand

    events.

    Olivia hadn’t been sleeping welltely and wasn’t feeling her best, so she decided against driving herself. She hailed a rideshare, made a quick stop on Willow Lane to pick up Nina, and then they were on their way to the party vi.

    Their driver was chatty. When he heard the destination Olivia entered, his face lit up with excitement. “Wow, littledy, didn’t expect that!

    “You’re young, but you must be someone important! I heard that a really wealthy family is throwing a huge party there. Only the big shots are getting in.”

    Olivia, who preferred ito /ikeep a low profile, just shrugged. “I’m just going for the free food.”

    The driverughed, a hint of scorn returning to his face. “Yeah, that makes more sense. I was thinking you looked a bit young to be some high–flyer.”

    Olivia didn’t respond. Instead, she casually reached over and felt Nina’s pulse. “You’ve been recovering well these past few days.”

    “All thanks to you. I’d be dead otherwise,” Nina replied with a grateful smile. Olivia’s medical skills were incredible. After just over ten days of taking her prescribed medicine and a few acupuncture sessions, Nina’s health had improved dramatically.

    “But are you sure it’s okay for me toe?” Nina asked, her expression clouding with worry. “I offended the Evans family so badlyst time. Won’t me being with you cause you trouble…?”

    :..

    :

    57

    55 vouchers

    Olivia raised an eyebrow, a sly glint in her eyes. “Rx, it’ll be fine. I went to a lot of trouble to get this invitation. I’m taking you along for some fun.”

    The Shea vi was stunning, the service impable, and five–star chefs prepared the food. An event like this was utterly exclusive. The invitation was the only ticket in.

    The guests were all prominent figures from major families, many of whom knew each other and were already mingling and chatting easily.

    Newer faces or those from less established backgrounds mostly drifted around the outer reception areas, making awkward small talk, unable even to gain entry to the main hall where the real event was happening.

    Margaret was among them. She had only managed to get in by clinging to Cheryl’s coattails and didn’t have the status to go further. Still, just being inside this opulent vi was an experience she could brag about for years toe.

    She was busy taking picture after picture on her phone, her face stered with unconcealed vanity. “It’s so magnificent! If only our Cheryl could marry into a ce like this someday.”

    “Margaret, please,” Henry said from behind her, where Cheryl was helping him walk. “Don’t be so embarrassing. You’re making us look like we’ve never seen anything nice.”

    Henry looked at Margaret with utter disdain. ‘So provincial,‘ he thought. ‘So utterlycking in

    ss.’

    Too wrapped up in her excitement to detect the sarcasm, Margaret just nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, Henry, it’s all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, Cheryl and I would never get to see a ce this beautiful!”

    Cheryl watched her mother with pure contempt, mortified. After the Evans family received word that they had to reduce their number, William and Margaret had argued fiercely about who would get to go.

    Margaret had won. And now here she was, acting like a wide–eyed country bumpkin. ‘So embarrassing,’ Cheryl thought.