CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167: THE BANQUET BEGINS, STERLING FAMILY’S LITTLE PRINCESS

"I don’t want to go."

Damien Lancaster didn’t let her go as he did before, "Just treat it as getting some air."

Damien Lancaster knew that Ella Morgan wasn’t with Ivy Summers, and both Nathan and Leo were at the Lancaster Family residence, leaving Ivy Summers alone when she returned home.

Being alone was too quiet, too silent, and the doctor said it wasn’t good for her condition.

Ivy Summers had a bit of a headache. The medication she’d been taking for depression hadn’t been effective, and instead, her symptoms had worsened.

Perhaps it was because she suppressed herself too much; that empty house was even more suffocating.

Sometimes, Ivy Summers even thought that Holly Sutton’s words had merit.

She was simply born to be a jinx.

After she was born, her father died, her mother died, and after having children, one of them left. Even Nathan and Leo returned to the Lancaster Family, and she couldn’t hold onto them...

Ivy Summers felt deeply guilty.

Once this mindset took root, it grew like vines in a corner, spreading wildly and tightly clutching at her heart.

It was too stifling.

Going out for a distraction might be good.

"Hm."

...

In the car, Damien Lancaster said, "We’re attending the Sterling Family’s banquet tonight."

"Isn’t the Sterling Family at odds with the Lancaster Family?"

Ivy Summers had heard of the Sterling Family, but they didn’t get along with the Lancaster Family. Both families were among Aethelgard’s top aristocracy, but they wouldn’t attend each other’s family banquets.

"Yes, but this time the Sterling Family extended an invitation. Since they’ve taken the initiative, the Lancaster Family can’t be outdone. Besides, this time is different; Old Master Sterling acknowledged a young daughter."

Ivy Summers responded, "Old Master Sterling dotes on his daughter."

The whole Aethelgard knew of Old Master Sterling’s affection for his only daughter, though she had disappeared long ago.

Who would have thought that at seventy or eighty years old, Old Master Sterling would recognize a new young daughter.

It was indeed a rare thing.

One couldn’t help but wonder which young lady was so fortunate to be so highly valued by Old Master Sterling, becoming the Sterling Family’s little princess.

Damien Lancaster first took Ivy Summers to change into another outfit.

What Ivy Summers wore wasn’t inappropriate; it was simple and elegant, but not suitable for a banquet. In high society, appearances mattered, and being presentable was a sign of respect for the host.

They arrived at the Sterling Estate.

The Sterling Family, a century-old family, was no less grand than the Lancaster Family. The Sterling Estate was particularly magnificent and imposing.

The Sterling Gates were bustling, with major aristocratic families, notable figures, and celebrities all arriving to offer their congratulations. Reporters gathered in wave after wave.

Even Old Master Lancaster’s last birthday banquet probably wasn’t as crowded as this one.

This showed the Sterling Family’s emphasis on this little princess; they seemed eager to announce her presence to the world.

Of course, everyone was especially curious about this little princess.

Before getting out of the car, Damien Lancaster was on a call and indicated for Ivy Summers to go ahead; he would find her later.

Ivy Summers didn’t want to appear with him anyway. Their divorce was public knowledge, and showing up together would surely lead to gossip.

Ivy Summers got out of the car first, and Damien Lancaster asked Julian Jacobs to accompany her.

Julian Jacobs presented the invitation at the entrance, and Ivy Summers gently lifted the hem of her dress, walking slowly inside. Her overly beautiful face was devoid of much expression.

The Sterling Family, her mother also had the surname Sterling.

But her mother’s parents had long passed, and when she married her father, she had no family left.

Ivy Summers thought this might be why the Summers Family dared to bully her mother so recklessly.

But fortunately, her father loved her mother, and while he was around, he protected her mother well.

Only after he was gone, there was no one left to protect her mother or her.

As for the deceit mentioned in her mother’s diary.

She didn’t understand why her father, who loved her mother so much, would deceive her about amnesia.

Perhaps, he had reasons he couldn’t avoid.

"Madam, the gentleman said to find a quiet spot to sit first; please follow me."

"No need, I want to wander around by myself. You don’t have to worry about me; I can take care of myself."

Julian Jacobs was considerate of Ivy Summers’ feelings and didn’t insist, "Alright, then madam, if you need anything, let me know."

"Julian, just call me Ivy Summers. I’m not anyone’s madam now; I’m just myself."

She had mentioned this many times, but Julian Jacobs was reluctant to change.

Julian Jacobs hesitated for a moment, "Okay, then I’ll temporarily call you Miss Summers."

Ivy Summers didn’t say much else and lifted her dress to a quieter spot to enjoy the breeze.

At this moment, she overheard a conversation beside her.

"Congratulations, Rachel, you’re about to have an engagement banquet with President Lancaster. President Lancaster loves you so much; he’ll surely book the best hotel in town for you. You’ll be the happiest bride, and we’ll all be so envious."

"Rachel, you and President Lancaster are a perfect match; it’s a level of envy we could never reach."

Rachel Shaw’s smile tonight was somewhat forced, absent-mindedly looking around, dreading catching sight of Damien Lancaster.

And just then, she spotted Ivy Summers standing there in a long dress, naturally exuding a cold and aloof aura.

Rachel Shaw’s heart skipped a beat, "Ivy Summers, what are you doing here?"

Ivy Summers turned around, unsurprised to see Rachel Shaw.

Rachel Shaw strode forward.

Even before seeing Damien Lancaster, she first encountered Ivy Summers.

If Ivy Summers saw Sophie here...

Rachel Shaw bit down hard, "Ivy Summers, how did you sneak in here?"

Rachel was well aware that the Summers Family had no right to attend such a banquet at the Sterling Family’s home.

One might say that Ivy had the former status of Mrs. Lancaster to gain entry.

But now she was nothing.

"Get out, do you deserve to be here?"

Rachel pointed towards the door, her demeanor akin to the mistress of the house.

Ivy looked at her, detecting a hint of panic in her eyes.

What was she panicking about?

"Didn’t you hear? Get out!"

"Is this your home?" Ivy replied in a cold tone.

Rachel clenched her molars tightly, urgently wanting to drive her away, "What standing does the Summers Family have to receive an invitation from the Sterlings? You must have sneaked in, what’s wrong with me trying to drive you out?"

Ivy sneered, "So you have the right?"

"I do, get out!" Rachel once more harshly and unrestrainedly tried to drive her out.

"Ivy Summers? The discarded woman expelled by the Lancasters? How audacious to show your face here."

"She has thick skin, what can you do? Look, she even sneaked into the Sterling’s banquet."

The two women who had just been flattering Rachel were now attacking Ivy upon learning her identity.

Rachel’s arrogance only intensified, "Do you hear that, Ivy Summers? Everyone knows you have no shame! Will you not leave on your own? If not, I’ll call someone to throw you out."

"Such audacity." A low male voice echoed.

A handsome man approached, a glass of red wine in hand, his nonchalant gaze falling on them.

The two women who had just been siding with Rachel immediately retreated two steps, whispering, "That’s Young Master Tristan Sterling."

Tristan looked at Rachel, "Miss, were you just trying to drive away a guest of the Sterlings?"

Rachel’s face turned pale, "I... no, First Young Master Sterling, Ivy Summers is not an invited guest of yours. She sneaked in, and I was just thinking of driving her out to avoid disrupting the banquet order."

"Then who are you to the Sterling Family?"

The man’s voice was unhurried.

"I... I’m not anyone to the Sterling Family..."

"Then who gave you the right?"

"This..." Rachel was dumbstruck, her face turning quite unpleasant.

"Can’t answer? Then please apologize to this young lady." He spoke elegantly, yet his presence was overwhelming.

"First Young Master Sterling, she sneaked in..." Rachel still wanted Ivy out.

Tristan couldn’t understand where this foolish woman came from, speaking without thinking.

"Anyone who enters the Sterling Family is an invited guest, there’s no such thing as sneaking in. I’ll say it once more, please apologize to this young lady, or I’ll escort you out."

Rachel’s face turned a cycle of green and white as she listened, drawing sneers from those around.

"Isn’t she from the Shaw Family? So foolish, she doesn’t even understand her standing, trying to drive people out from the Sterlings’. Who does she think she is?"

"I heard she’s engaged to First Young Master Lancaster, best not say too much. Can’t afford to offend First Young Master Lancaster."

Tristan raised an eyebrow, "You’re the fiancée Damien Lancaster announced some time ago?"

Hearing this, Rachel immediately grew confident, standing up tall, "That’s right."

Tristan let out a light laugh, unsure if it was mockery, "He must be blind to choose you."

The sarcasm was evident, and Rachel struggled to maintain her composure.

"I’ll say it one more time, apologize to this young lady."

Rachel heard the endless ridicule surrounding her, biting down hard and feeling anger pressing down on her chest, nearly suffocating her. But there was no choice—without apologizing, she couldn’t step down.

"I’m sorry..."

"Be sincere."

Rachel bent over, "I’m sorry, Miss Summers. I was wrong; I shouldn’t have... driven you away."

Ivy’s cold gaze swept over Rachel and then she looked at Tristan, curving her lips slightly, "Thank you."

The woman’s voice, cold with a hint of softness, remained calm and collected, as if watching a joke. She let things play out, foreseeing her disgrace.

She’s a patient and clever woman.

Tristan appreciated smart individuals, extending his hand gentlemanly, "Beautiful lady, may I invite you for a drink?"

The man was gracious, his gaze pure, providing a comfortable interaction.

Naturally, Ivy had no reason to refuse.

Not to mention he had just helped her.

Ivy extended her hand.

Tristan led Ivy away.

The crowd was left dumbfounded.

Including Zachary Lancaster.

Zachary had arrived early and was about to intervene when Rachel harassed Ivy, but Tristan beat him to it.

Now Ivy had left with Tristan, and Zachary knew his brother’s fragile heart would be shattered again.

Zachary immediately messaged his brother, "Bro, where are you? If you don’t come soon, the walls around your heart will collapse!"