CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: DISGUSTING

A village girl, no matter how expensive the dress she wears, will only be a clown!

Even if Dad blames her later, she’s not afraid. After all, she’s contributed the most expensive dress from her wardrobe. If Summer Monroe can’t pull off the look, it’s her own fault.

And those shoes, they’re at least ten centimeters high.

It’s likely that Summer Monroe, who comes from the countryside, has never worn high heels in her life, let alone ten-centimeter ones.

Perhaps Summer Monroe will make a comical stumble down the stairs...

Clarissa Stanton almost applauded her own cleverness.

She eagerly anticipated the moment when Summer Monroe would appear in front of everyone in that dress.

Yes! Let everyone see that this so-called sister is a country bumpkin who does not deserve to be her sister!

"Sister, I’ll head downstairs first and wait for you. The dinner party is about to start, so come down immediately once you’re dressed."

"Okay—" responded Summer Monroe from inside.

Clarissa Stanton heard the reply and quickly turned to leave.

She intended to start the banquet early, so all the guests could witness Summer Monroe’s embarrassing appearance!

In this way, Summer Monroe and Damian Knight would be even less possible!

Clarissa Stanton hummed a tune cheerfully as she descended the stairs, completely forgetting the embarrassment earlier brought by Damian Knight on the lawn.

What’s embarrassment compared to this?

Summer Monroe would only be more embarrassed, making Clarissa Stanton feel less humiliated herself.

In the bathroom.

Before taking a shower, Summer Monroe had searched the guest room for a sewing kit.

She suspected that Clarissa Stanton wouldn’t be so kind as to give her a well-fitting dress, so she planned to tailor and modify it herself.

But when she put it on and stood in front of the mirror, she was surprised to find the dress extremely fitting.

Summer Monroe already had a tall and slender figure, a straight back and square shoulders.

After a week of life on the island, her collarbone was even more prominent. Once she donned the dress, her aura merged with the high-end gown, as if the dress was custom-made for her.

Could Clarissa Stanton really be so kind?

Did she misjudge her? Was Clarissa Stanton not as bad as she thought?

Summer Monroe was convinced she had never misjudged anyone, so she meticulously inspected the dress again.

Five minutes later, she was finally certain the dress had no issues and wouldn’t cause any problems.

Then what was going on?

Summer Monroe gazed into the mirror for a while longer, focusing on the dress’s tailoring.

This dress was very selective, requiring a tall and slim figure but also needed a bust; those with thick arms and shoulders, or broad backs couldn’t wear it.

Yet, if one had the right body shape, the dress would be the perfect finishing touch, and no one could overshadow its brilliance.

Summer Monroe curved her lips slightly, realizing... Clarissa Stanton had this idea in mind.

Too bad for her, with years of fitness and good natural conditions, Summer Monroe was likely to disappoint Clarissa Stanton.

If Clarissa Stanton wanted to see her make a fool of herself, Summer Monroe certainly wouldn’t let it happen!

Initially, she had planned to keep a low profile, not wanting to steal the spotlight at someone else’s birthday party.

But Clarissa Stanton’s actions made her realize that if she wanted to uncover something, she had to first stir up this seemingly peaceful family.

Only when the family was chaotic could the things hidden beneath the surface emerge.

Summer Monroe put on the silver high heels Clarissa Stanton had prepared for her and stepped out of the room.

The high heels were very tall, and with the slightest carelessness, it was easy to trip.

...

Downstairs.

Clarissa Stanton arranged for the banquet to start early. The hall was brightly lit and luxuriously decorated.

Guests held champagne in hand, watching Clarissa Stanton ascend the stage to deliver a speech.

Damian Knight had already freshened up and come downstairs.

He had no interest in these pretentious socialites’ dull birthday parties, but since the girl had saved his life, he felt obligated to at least wait for her to come downstairs and greet her before leaving.

Even though he thought that girl was very uncouth and didn’t have any lady-like demeanor.

Clarissa Stanton took the microphone and stood on the constructed stage.

Upon seeing Damian Knight had freshened up but hadn’t left immediately, she assumed he might actually be there for her.

Such a powerful and noble man must have been embarrassed to say outright that he’s interested in her, hence pretending not to know her earlier.

It must be like that!

The Young Master Knight had kind intentions; she mustn’t make him take the initiative.

Thus, Clarissa Stanton greeted Damian Knight first as soon as she spoke.

"Good evening, Young Master Knight. Welcome to my birthday dinner. I... am very glad to see you at my birthday." She gazed at Damian Knight affectionately.

Damian Knight felt completely baffled.

Who was this woman anyway? Speaking to him as if they were well-acquainted, really off-putting!

Come to think of it, why hadn’t that uncouth girl come downstairs yet?

Meanwhile, the topic of Clarissa Stanton’s speech circled around Damian Knight, eager for everyone to know he was attending her birthday dinner.

Just then, a servant came quietly to report in her ear: "Miss, Miss Monroe is headed downstairs."

"Good! Turn on all the lights by the spiral staircase!"

She wanted everyone to notice how disgraceful that ugly duckling Summer Monroe was!

"Yes, Miss!" the servant responded and set off to carry out the order.

The lights along the spiral staircase from the second floor to the first were all turned on, making whoever stood there the center of attention, like a stage.

A dazzling stage.

But stand on the stage — and it’s not a princess, but a clown — everyone would burst into laughter.

Clarissa Stanton’s blood was boiling with excitement, timing herself, she returned to the stage and took the microphone to say: "Indeed, today is a wonderful day. Not only is it my birthday, but also the day my half-sister returns home. Ten years ago, she was kidnapped by human traffickers and went missing. Today she’s back with our family from the countryside, and I am truly pleased..."

Just as she finished speaking, footsteps sounded from the staircase on the second floor.

Tap tap tap...

The sound of high heels striking the ground.

Clarissa Stanton struggled to suppress her smile, making her expression a bit distorted and awkward, looking exceedingly ugly.

But she remained oblivious, raising her right hand towards the direction of the stairs.

"Now, let’s all applaud together to welcome my sister’s arrival!"

The guests, unaware of the real situation, raised their hands and clapped perfunctorily, their applause sparse and lacking enthusiasm.

A country bumpkin from the countryside — what was worth clapping for from people of their status?

If not for seeing that the Stantons had a position in Crestfall, granted that Damian Knight was also present, they wouldn’t even bother glancing over, believing it would taint their eyes.

When would people as noble as them need to look at a vagabond?

Upstairs, Summer Monroe heard everything Clarissa Stanton said.

She slightly arched her eyebrows, her sun-bright eyes sweeping over in mockery.

In such a haste to catch her in a joke, huh?

She never felt any pride in her appearance; the physical shell was the least reliable thing of all.

But now, she was somewhat looking forward to Clarissa Stanton’s reaction to seeing her looks.