“Good evening, everyone. I’m Ileana. Not long ago, I didn’t have thest name Tate.”


    As soon as she finished, Ste pressed her hand over her mouth, trying to hide a grin. “A real page–turner, isn’t she?”


    Penny turned away, clearly struggling to keep a straight face too.


    Ileana, oblivious to the reactions in the audience, was caught up in the tragic story she’d crafted for herself.


    Her eyes were red, and her voice trembled with emotion. Yvonne seemed genuinely moved, gripping Ileana’s hand tightly, refusing to let go. Scott just pressed his lips together and gave Ileana’s shoulder a silent, supportive pat.


    “My adoptive parents had four sons. After the family ran into hard times, the atmosphere at home grew heavy. It was then I discovered the truth about my birth. I was nervous, and I hoped for the best. Luckily, my real parents weed me with open arms and gave me a kind of love I’d never known before.”


    Ste rolled her eyes, unable to hold back any longer. “Give me a break–she’s basically using her adoptive family of abuse, just not saying it outright.”


    “What if she’s telling the truth?” Penny whispered back.


    “Please. I’ve met Lessie’s twin brothers–they’d never do something like that. Besides, if they really were that awful, would Lessie still be there?”


    Penny looked unconvinced at first, but Ste’sst point seemed to sway her.


    Eventually, the awkward storytelling wrapped up. The three of them–ying the part of the perfect, happy family–smiled sweetly for the guests. As they prepared to step off the stage and guide Ileana around the room for introductions, the doors


    swung open.


    A sharp bark rang out, making Ste’s eyes light up. She whipped out her phone, slipped into the nearest shadowy corner, and tried to make herself invisible. Penny, confused, squeezed in beside her as the crowd’s attention shifted to the sudden


    The doors creaked wider, and in that instant, chaos erupted. A figure burst from the darkness and, amidst the shrieks, charged straight for the stage.


    Ileana tried to run, but her four–inch heels and flowing dress tripped her up. She tumbled to the ground, and as a sticky, wet sensation hit her face, she couldn’t stop


    <b>14:43 </b>


    herself from screaming.


    “Get off me, you filthy animal! Get away!” She shrieked, her carefully styled hair and makeup ruined in seconds.


    But none of that mattered now. She dug her nails into the dog’s hide, shoving it away. She scrambled to her feet, aimed a wild kick at the German shepherd, but the dog was quick, dodging aside.


    “You beast! I’ll skin you alive! Get out of here–just die already!”


    Humiliated and terrified, Ileana grew angrier with every missed kick. Clutching her dress, she hurled more curses and chased after the dog,nding another kick.


    By now, the guests–shaken at first–regained theirposure. They watched Ileana, who looked like a woman unhinged, with growing distaste.


    “And where are the security guards? Can someone get this dog out of here?” Scott finally snapped, his face dark as coal. Watching Ileana’s meltdown, a vein pulsed in his temple.


    He shot Yvonne a warning nce. She, shaken butposed, tried to intervene.


    “Ileana.” She softened her tone, and, worried Ileana couldn’t hear her, reached gently for her hand–only to have Ileana jerk away.


    The stares from the guests felt like knives, weighing on both Yvonne and Scott, who prided themselves on appearances. Even Yvonne’s expression darkened.


    “Ileana!” Yvonne barked under her breath. Only then did Ileana seem to realize what she’d done.


    She froze, eyes wide and trembling, suddenly too ashamed to look down at the


    crowd.