:

    Margaret’sposure cracked. “Are you trying to freeze me to death?”

    The guards remained unmoved, their expressions cold and detached.

    b57 /b

    55 vouchers

    Seeing that they wouldn’t budge, Margaret gave up. She crouched in a corner, rubbing her arms vigorously to keep warm, and muttered under her breath, “Cheryl has ito/i… has to make me proud!”

    “Just wait… wait until my daughter catches the eye of Andrew Shea… bes the young mistress of the house… Let’s see who’ll dare look down on me then!”

    Her voice was low, but it carried just enough for the two guards to hear. They thought, ‘Did we hear that right? Her daughter, catching Andrew’s eye? And bing the young mistress of the Shea family?‘

    They exchanged a nce, sizing up Margaret’s appearance and mentally picturing what her daughter might look like. They shook their heads in unison.

    Unless Andrew had gone blind, there was no way he would ever be interested in this woman’s daughter. They thought, ‘Why did we have to hear such nonsense? It is downright unbearable.

    Back inside, Henry, still seething from the public humiliation, urged impatiently, “Stop staring. Let’s go in.”

    Cheryl cast onest reluctant nce in Margaret’s direction before following Henry inside. She was determined ito /iwin over Andrew Shea. Once she did, no one would ever dare look down on her again.

    The grand party hall was bustling with energy, brilliantly lit, with guests holding crystal sses, chatting in small groups. An enormous chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire room.

    Every time a new guest arrived, the attendant at the door would announce their name and affiliation. When Olivia entered, the announcement of “Ms. Summers” drew everyone’s attention.

    It wasn’t because Olivia was particrly important, but because she was an anomaly. Every other guest present belonged to a powerful family, except for Olivia, who had arrived alone, with no family backing.

    Almost in unison, the crowd chose to ignore her. No one stepped forward to speak to her. Some even deliberately kept their distance when she approached.

    In their eyes, a young woman with no family connections wasn’t worth associating with.

    14:18 Wedb, /bSep 10

    Besides, she was the only one not wearing evening attire. Her status was obvious.

    57

    55 vouchers

    Henry, who entered right after Olivia, immediatelymanded the room’s attention. Men and women alike swarmed him, eager to curry favor. “Mr. Evans, long time no see! We didn’t actually think you’de.”

    “Hmm, an invitation from the Shea family. I had to stop by and see what’s up,” Henry replied, a smile finally returning to his face. The dignity he’d lost outside was swiftly being restored.

    He worked the room with Natalie and Cheryl in tow, his smile widening whenever he spotted Olivia isted and ignored on the sidelines. Just as I knew, he thought smugly, that sharp- tongued little brat wouldn’t be weed anywhere.

    Olivia, for her part, couldn’t have cared less. She led Nina over to wander near the buffet tables. Andrew had chosen his caterers well. The spread wasvish. A long table wasden with dishes: salmon sashimi, chocte mousse, Boston lobster…

    Olivia picked out a few items, found a spot for her and Nina to sit, and got ready to eat.

    “Olivia… Is it okay if I eat this?” Nina asked, her voice still timid. She had never in her life been to a party like this and was being overly cautious, terrified of embarrassing Olivia.

    “Of course you can. We’re already here. Might as well get our money’s worth in food,” Olivia said, popping a piece of chocte mousse into her mouth. She then shook her head. “This cake is pretty mediocre, though.”

    Suddenly, a familiar voice grumbled nearby. “Yeah, yeah, Grandpa, I got it. I’ll find the girl, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her for you, alright?”

    Olivia looked up. The speaker was none other than Lucas. A ck diamond stud gleamed in his ear, and he wore a ck leather jacket.

    五

    AD