?Chapter 1676:


    It was absurd. Hosting a proper event demanded careful nning, and even the Harper family never invited the entirety of Shirie’s elite—only those with established ties.


    Without pre-existing ties, even a hundred invitations from Sandra wouldn’t guarantee a single attendee. Wealth alone didn’tmand respect or interest.


    Brenna said, “This list is off. Do you even know these people? Have you met people from the Evercrest Group before? Or anyone from the Obsidian Group? I doubt it. We’ve never included them in our events, and they’ve never attended. Inviting them is inappropriate.”


    She pointed out several other names, none of whom had ever attended Harper family gatherings or had any personal or business connections with them.


    Sandra felt a pang of embarrassment, realizing her ignorance about high-society protocols. Thankfully, Brenna’s guidance spared her from a humiliating mistake.


    “I didn’t know that before. Who should I invite?”


    Brenna, viewing Sandra as part of the Harper family, knew a failed party would tarnish their reputation. She decided to help Sandra.


    “Only invite those you know personally or who might need something from us. Sending too many invitations is pointless.”


    Sandra didn’t want to give in. “But didn’t ourst party draw a huge crowd? The restaurant manager said all of Shirie’s big names were there, so I made this list. Is that so wrong?”


    “That manager knows nothing about our circles. In families like ours, invitations aren’t sent casually—they’re reserved for close allies or business partners, not strangers.”


    Sandra’s confidence waned. She barely knew anyone. At her wee party, a few young elites had friended her on social media, but those connections quickly faded.


    Limiting her invites to them would barely muster thirty people. The party wouldn’t qualify as a grand event.


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    She let out a quiet murmur, “I understand, thanks.”


    Feeling deted, Sandra retreated to her room.


    As she reviewed the guest list, a nagging suspicion grew that Brenna was deliberately stopping her from having a grand party, not wanting her to make more friends. She resolved not to listen to Brenna’s advice.


    Looking at the invitation she’d designed, she admitted it looked in. She chose to use the hotel’s invitations, yet she remained firm about keeping her original guest list.


    Yet, Brenna’s warning gnawed at her—what if these elites, unfamiliar with her and dismissive of her as Shepard’s illegitimate daughter, mocked her event and refused to attend?


    It was a real possibility.


    After mulling it over, she decided to invite her old friends and ssmates from before her time abroad. Those people came from humble roots, and now, as a member of the powerful Harper family, she was certain they would fawn over her.


    Conor had been staying at Madge’s home recently to tend to her. That morning, the house was unnervingly still, with no stirrings from Madge’s room. Worried, he eased open her door and stepped inside.


    Madgey motionless on the bed, her face pale as ash, strangely serene. The pain that once marred her expression had vanished. A cold shiver hit Conor—something was gravely amiss.


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