The Vaughan Group''s 30th Anniversary G


    The mansion was buzzing with life, its grand chandelier zing overhead, bathing the entire ballroom in golden light.


    A renowned pianist yed a graceful, flowing melody on a glossy ck Steinway, while waiters in crisp tuxedos glided through the crowd, silver trays of champagne flutes bnced expertly in their hands.


    Tonight, every man was dressed to the nines in tailored suits, while the women floated by in an array of designer evening gowns.


    Isadora had chosen a simple, high-necked, one-shoulder ck dress that hugged her figure. The elegant cut drew subtle attention to her porcin skin-though she was careful to hide the faint marks Victor had left at her corbone.


    Earlier, Eleanor had sent over a slinky, jewel-toned gown for Isadora to wear: plunging neckline, open back, the sort of thing designed to make a statement. Isadora had barely nced at it before tucking it away. There was no way she''d step out in that tonight.


    When she finally entered the ballroom, she caught sight of Pearl immediately.


    Pearl''s hair was swept into a graceful chignon, her makeup wless, and she wore a sapphire velvet gown adorned with shimmering crystals that glittered each time she moved. The deep V neckline and dramatic open back left little to the imagination, and her sweeping train gave her the air of a princess holding court. A crocodile-skin designer clutch dangled from her wrist, and she clung possessively to Eleanor''s arm, the two of them inseparable.


    From a corner of the room, a whisper of gossip floated over the clinking sses andughter.


    "Look at Pearl, strutting around like she owns the ce. She wants everyone to know she''s the favorite. Who doesn''t know about the Vaughan family''s little scandal all those years ago the whole real-versus-fake daughter mix-up?"


    "I still don''t get it. The Vaughans dote on the girl who isn''t even their own, but their real daughter barely gets a second nce."


    "I see Eleanor everywhere with Pearl! Last week I spotted them at the mall— Eleanor was buying her armfuls of designer bags, with bodyguards trailing behind, struggling to carry it all."


    "And poor Isadora. She finally got reunited with the Vaughans, but she didn''t kick Pearl out-she''s still the one getting sidelined. She''s the real daughter, but somehow she''s the one treated like a stranger."


    "It''s not that simple. The Vaughans raised Pearl for twenty years; of course their hearts are with her, no matter what."


    "If you ask me, Isadora''s only shot at turning things around is marrying Magnus."


    "Speaking of Magnus, will that even happen? Didn''t you hear-just two days ago, he threw a fake wedding for that old me of his."


    "Isadora''s got it rough. Her parents only have eyes for their adopted daughter, and even her fiancé is hung up on someone else."


    Eleanor''s eyes narrowed when she noticed Isadora drifting inte. Her expression darkened further when she realized Magnus wasn''t with her.


    Trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice, Eleanor leaned in and asked under her breath, "Why are you by yourself? Where''s Magnus?"


    Isadora nced briefly at Pearl, who was still gripping Eleanor''s arm as if staking her im. She had no intention of exining herself. "He''s noting with me tonight," she replied simply.


    The truth was, since the kidnapping, she hadn''t spoken to Magnus at all. She''d seen his name sh across her phone screen once, but what did that matter? After what he''d said to the kidnappers that night-after he''d thrown her to the wolves-she''d given up on him for good.


    Pearl, meanwhile, could barely hide her contempt whenever sheid eyes on Isadora. She med Isadora for upending her life. Even though Richard and Eleanor still doted on her, Pearl knew deep down that she wasn''t their real daughter. In the beginning, Isadora''s presence hadn''t threatened her ce in the family. But now, with Isadora poised to marry Magnus, Richard and Eleanor were finally starting to pay attention to their biological child—and that was intolerable.


    The thought gnawed at Pearl: what if the Vaughans changed their minds? What if they stopped loving her and sent her packing? If that happened, she''d have nothing left. No, she told herself fiercely, there could only be one daughter of the Vaughan family, and it had to be her.


    Forcing a smile, Pearl remarked, "Isadora, that dress is awfully in for such a big night. This is our family''s 30th anniversary, and half the city''s elite are here. You''re our daughter, too-don''t you think you should make an effort for the family''s image?"


    Eleanor, prompted by Pearl''s words, finally took a closer look at Isadora.


    The ck dress set off Isadora''s pale skin, and its fitted silhouette made her look statuesque. But tonight, the Vaughans were hosts, and the rest of the family had gone all out in dramatic gowns and sparkling jewels. Next to them, Isadora''s understated style looked almost out of ce-striking, but undeniably simple. She wasn''t wearing a single piece of jewelry.