Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_131
The garden was alive with murmurs, the clinking of glasses, and the subtle hum of wealth and power that seemed to radiate from every corner. The guests, most of them second-generation elites from Seacrity, looked sharp in their expensive clothes, eyes occasionally flicking toward the door as they waited for the most anticipated arrivals of the evening.
Zachary and Nellie greeted the incoming guests with practiced smiles, but beneath their cordial facades, there was an undercurrent of tension. Zachary, in particular, could feel the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. The evening was meant to be a grand event, but his mind kept drifting back to the complications surrounding Yvette and the family’s latest drama.
As Zachary engaged with a few familiar faces, a low voice cut through the air. “Mr. Chambers, I’ve heard that your newly reunited sister is quite the beauty,” a man with a lecherous grin commented, his eyes darting to Zachary with unspoken intentions. “But… some say she’s got a temper. Is that true?”
Zachary’s gaze sharpened, sensing the implication. The man, whose name was Jamie, was known for his crude remarks, but this was the first time he’d dared speak about Yvette. Zeke, standing nearby, noticed the tension in Zachary’s body language. He knew that Jamie, like many others, was already starting to spread rumors about Yvette. The damage was already done in this crowd—whispers about her temper, her background as an unknown rural girl, and her sudden appearance in the world of high society were already shifting public opinion.
Zeke smirked to himself. He could see how easily the rich heirs around them were buying into the narrative. “A bad temper?” one of them muttered. “I bet she’s just some rough country girl who doesn’t know how to behave.”
Zachary didn’t react immediately. He knew that giving in to this kind of talk would only make things worse. Instead, he kept his expression neutral and said, “My sister is indeed stunning, but she’s got a bit of a temper, so you guys should be careful around her.” The slight edge in his voice suggested that he wasn’t entirely joking.
As expected, this only fueled more gossip among the guests, and Yvette’s reputation seemed to tarnish further in their eyes. But Zachary wasn’t about to let it slide. He cast a cold glance at Jamie and his group, subtly warning them to mind their words. Zeke, with a knowing look, shifted the conversation to something more harmless.
Just then, a maid led Victor’s family into the garden. Robert, Victor, and Yulia entered the scene, and Zachary’s eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn’t thrilled to see them, especially after the tension between the Chambers and Carter families. Victor had never been a friend to the family, and Robert’s ulterior motives were no secret.
Robert, ever the smooth operator, greeted Zachary with an exaggerated enthusiasm. “Ah, Zachary, congratulations! I see your sister is quite the find—she’s a real gem, isn’t she?”
Zachary’s expression remained polite but cool, not rising to Robert’s praise. “Thank you,” he replied curtly, keeping his tone neutral.
Victor, standing slightly behind Robert, seemed to observe the situation with more interest than necessary. He caught Zachary’s eye and gave a subtle nod, acknowledging the presence of the Chambers family but offering no warmth.
Nellie, sensing the tension, immediately moved to smooth things over. She warmly greeted Victor with a smile. “Victor, you look so handsome today,” she said, her tone almost doting, trying to maintain a sense of familial unity for the sake of appearances.
The guests around them noticed this interaction, and whispers quickly spread. The scene seemed like a subtle confirmation of an impending alliance between the Carter and Chambers families, further fueling the idea that today’s banquet was more about business than any familial celebration.
But even as Nellie and Yulia exchanged pleasantries, the atmosphere was thick with underlying politics. The Carter family’s business interests were directly at odds with some of the Chambers family’s ventures, and everyone in the room could feel the tension brewing under the surface.
As the last few guests trickled in, the focus shifted to the two leading ladies of the evening. The excitement was palpable, as all eyes turned to the entrance when Winona, the star of the night, made her grand arrival. She stepped into the garden, arm-in-arm with Richard, fashionably late, just as the whispers reached their peak.
Winona had always known how to draw attention, and tonight was no exception. She wore a striking red strapless gown with a seven-foot train, carried by two servants. The color was bold, and the style was even bolder. Her outfit screamed elegance and wealth, and it made her stand out against the sea of muted tones and standard attire of the other guests.
As Winona walked into the garden, the effect was immediate. Heads turned, and gasps of admiration filled the air. “Wow, Winona looks absolutely gorgeous today! That outfit must have cost millions!” someone whispered.
“At least 10 million, I bet. Just the onyx necklace around her neck is worth over 3 million alone,” another guest added, voice filled with awe.
The guests around her were in agreement. Winona was a spectacle, and there was no doubt that she was the center of attention. Even Victor, who usually preferred a more innocent and demure type, couldn’t help but look at her with admiration, his heart skipping a beat.
“She really knows how to make an entrance,” someone said, and a few others nodded in agreement.
But as the guests continued to gossip, it became clear that Winona wasn’t just here to impress—they were all waiting for the drama to unfold. If Yvette made an appearance later, the contrast between the two women would be brutal, some guests whispered. The tension between the two was already palpable, and they were certain that the night would hold more surprises.
As Winona continued to make her way through the crowd, she basked in the attention. Every step she took, every glance cast her way, was confirmation that she had succeeded in stealing the spotlight. She knew exactly how to use her assets, and tonight, she was going to make sure everyone knew exactly who she was.
Richard, standing beside her, couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. “She’s about to become my last student,” he thought, watching the admiration Winona was receiving. To him, every compliment she earned was a reflection of his own influence. He was ready to showcase his legacy, and Winona was his final masterpiece.
But despite all the applause and the excitement, there was one question on everyone’s mind: What would happen when Yvette finally made her entrance?
