Chapter 284 Her Embarrassment
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Shawn was the son of the head of the Wagners, born to another woman-not Hannah. His birth was the result of a calcted affair.
Rumors imed that Oscar''s father had paid the woman four and a half million to abort the pregnancy. Instead, she pocketed the money, fled to Hallowick, and secretly gave birth to Shawn. She settled there, securing a life for herself and her
son.
The woman was smart. She used her child and exploited the legal gaps in Hallowick to gain a foothold in the business world. Eventually, she maneuvered her way into bing Mrs. Wagner-a figure everyone had to respect.
This situation exined why Oscar''s mother often spiraled into rage. Once, she had been a poised, elegant heiress from a prestigious family. Over time, the pressure from her family had twisted her, molding her into the bitter woman she had be.
"Conflict..." Zev shrugged, searching for the right words. "It''splicated."
"Shawn... I''ve heard of him," Kelly said. "A rising star in the business world. Everyone says he''s impressive. People are scrambling to get in his good graces."
"Oscar became a cop instead of taking over the family business to avoid Shawn. He didn''t want topete with him. But Shawn''s mother was sharp. When Oscar stepped back, she pushed for her son to inherit everything the Wagners had. That''s also why Aunt Hannah has never liked Melody." Zev coughed, ncing away.
Hannah looked down on Melody because she was seen as a failure. Though Melody came from a good background, she was just a doctor with no ambition, no business sense.
Hannah preferred someone like rissa-strong, capable, someone who could fight for her son''s future.
Melody nodded slowly. "My mother-inw and I haven''t spoken in months. We both steer clear of each other. I heard Shawn''s mother ising tonight. My
mother-inw has been preparing for this for weeks....
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Clearly, tensions were brewing.
"It sounds like tonight''s g is going to be a spectacle," Kelly murmured, leaning into Zev.
Hannah had never been easy to get along with. She might probably start a catfight with Serenater in the night.
"Do you think there''ll be a fight?" Melody asked, her worry starting to show.
"No. Neither of them would risk it. They''re too important for that. But when ites to strategy and maniption? Your mother-inw doesn''t stand a chance against Serena. Caden told me that Shawn''s sess in Hallowick is all thanks to Serena. She''s the top socialite in Seaville''s business world." Zev was certain that Melody''s mother-inw was in for a tough night.
The red carpet unfurled before them like a river of opulence, a symbol of wealth and status.
The city''s elite had arrived, each with their entourage-partners, socialites, and the eager heirs ready to leave their mark. Those without true influence sought to make advantageous marriages, hoping to lift their
14:48 Wed, 14 May AD.
Chapter 284 Her Embarrassment
families up through strategic alliances.
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The atmosphere was a spectacle, each individual a shining peacock, dazzling in their own way.
rissa was particrly striking. Her custom-made gown, a luxury piece, fit her like it had been designed for her alone. The jewelry she wore was of a caliber seen only at high-profile auctions, glinting in the spotlight. Among the sea of well- dressed women, she was the jewel of the evening.
Yet even her jewels couldn''tpare to Kelly''s. Kelly wore pieces selected with care by her mother-inw, Helena.
Helena''s taste was legendary, once setting the standard in their circle. It was the envy of every woman who came into contact with it.
"rissa, that jewelry is gorgeous," a socialitemented, eyeing the pieces closely. "Is that the set from the Finde auctionst year?"
rissa gave a confident smile, nodding with grace.
There was no doubt that she was the media''s favorite at the moment, the woman everyone wanted to be close to, especially with the Lockharts backing her.
"rissa, I''ve heard your future mother-inw, Madam Wagner, was a leading figure in Seaville''s fashion scene," another woman added, her tone sharp. “Her jewelry was always top-tier, each piece worth a fortune. Why didn''t Zion take you to pick something more impressive for such an important event?"
The jab was clear.
But rissa''s smile remained intact, unfazed. "Well, I haven''t officially joined the Lockharts yet. But it will all be mine eventually. No need to rush, right?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, her voiceced with criticism. "Well, you still have to marry into the family first ..."
rissa''s smile tightened, but she held her ground.
One of rissa''s loyal friends, sensing the challenge, stepped forward. "Why don''t you keep quiet? rissa already gave the Lockharts a son. Wade himself confirmed she''s their future granddaughter-inw. Don''t mock her!"
rissa lifted her chin, her lips curling sure to send you an invitation."
to a satisfied smile. "When I officially join the Lockharts, I''ll make
Before the conversation could go any further, the sound of murmurs erupted from the entrance.
The long red carpet was packed with reporters, their cameras snapping at every arrival, their attention fixed on the door.
All eyes shifted toward the entrance as anticipation built.
A ck car rolled to a stop. Zev stepped out first, walking to the passenger side to open the door for Kelly.
The moment Kelly stepped out, a reporter gasped.
It wasn''t just her beauty. It was the way her gown shimmered, the opulence of her jewelry, and the sheer presence shemanded.
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284 Her Embarrassment
"Who''s this?"
"That''s the Lockharts'' heir, Zion,” came the swift reply.
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"Wait, didn''t rissa say Zion wouldn''te?" another reporter questioned, frowning. "Why is he here ... with someone else? What''s going on?"
rissa''s face paled, her mask of confidence slipping. Panic crept in.
Zion didn''t have an invitation. What was he doing here? Wasn''t he worried about
being turned away, humiliated in front of everyone?
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