Chapter 25 The Most Beloved Princess


    “Ms. Yarwood? Please. She’s just a fraud who stole someone else’s life—and even after getting exposed, she’s still shamelessly clinging to the Jackmans.”


    A group of well-dressed sons and daughters of the elite walked over, faces full of mockery and disdain.


    Two years of hell had blurred a lot of unimportant memories for Tracy, but these faces-filled with malice. -she remembered. They used to be her friends.


    Now they surrounded Erin,ughing at her instead. “Look at her-dressed like she crawled out of a dumpster-and they used to call her the beloved princess of Cloudville? What a joke.”


    “Beloved princess.” That nickname had started with the Jackmans.


    Back then, they truly loved her. Everywhere they went, they’d proudly call her their most beloved princess.


    And Tracy had lived up to it-fearless, radiant, and impossible to miss. Wherever she went, all eyes followed.


    That was how she became Cloudville’s beloved princess.


    But now, all that love and attention had shifted to Erin.


    Tracy stood still, letting their sneers and stares wash over her, and calmly said, “Sorry. I came to the wrong ce.”


    She turned to leave-but Erin suddenly ran after her, trying to grab her arm. “Don’t go, Tracy! I nned this whole wee party just for you. Do you like it?”


    Tracy flinched from her touch.


    That kind of gesture brought back too many memories-being sent to that etiquette school two years ago… having her dress ripped in a store and not being able to afford a new one.


    She stepped back, voice cold and distant. “Thank you for the effort, Ms. Erin. But I don’t need it. You all enjoy yourselves.”


    Getting lured here by Liam, surrounded by people brought in just to humiliate her-that was definitely a carefully nned wee.


    Erin’s hand froze mid-air. She looked up at Tracy with watery eyes and whispered, “I just wanted to make you happy, Tracy. I didn’t know you’d hate it. I’m sorry…


    Seeing his wless queen “bullied,” Simon’s temper exploded.


    He shoved Tracy hard. “Do you even realize how much effort Erin put into this party? I’m warning you— don’t be so damn ungrateful!”


    Tracy stumbled from the shove.


    ?


    Before she could say a word, Liam stepped in. “That’s enough, Tracy! Erin’s treated you like family from the start. She put her heart into this party, hoping you’d ept her.


    “She stayed up for nights nning this surprise for you. Even if you’re too coldhearted to appreciate it, the least you could do is show some basic manners.


    “The Jacksons raised you for 18 years. Was this the kind of behavior they taught you? Storming out in front of everyone?”


    Tracy nced at Erin, standing behind them with a pitiful look on her face.


    Fair skin. Glowingplexion.


    Someone who’d truly lost sleep for days wouldn’t look that refreshed and wouldn’t wake at the slightest sound.


    But Tracy didn’t call her out. “So do you want me to stay, Mr. Liam?”


    He nodded without hesitation. “Of course!”


    This whole party is for her. Where else would she go?


    “Alright. I’ll stay,” Tracy said calmly. “Shall we get on with it, then?”


    She knew perfectly well she was never meant to be the star of this party. Anywhere Erin stood, she would fade into the background.


    So she’d stay-just long enough to disappear unnoticed.


    Her quick agreement unsettled Liam.


    He’d been ready to explode, but she gave him nothing to push against.


    The moment Tracy gave in, Erin’s sorrowful expression melted into delight.


    “Since you’re staying, Tracy, let’s get you changed. The party’s about to officially begin!”


    Smiling sweetly, she nced at Tracy’s empty hands and blinked innocently. “Oh? Where’s your dress?”


    Only then did the crowd finally take in what Tracy was wearing.


    A cheap pair of jeans. A thin, worn-out T-shirt. And an old hoodie.


    No one had expected to see clothes like that on her-the shock was real. But beneath it was a twisted thrill, like seeing a former queen stripped of her crown.


    “I was wondering what that garbage smell was from across the room. Turns out someone really did go dumpster diving.”


    “How does she even have the nerve to wear that in public? Is she not worried about catching something?”


    “Tracy, did you seriously forget how to dress for these parties after being gone two years?”


    Disgust was written all over their faces. One guy even waved his hand in front of his nose dramatically, 3


    if she were some filthy, reeking pile of trash.


    Tracy’s expression didn’t change-not once. She stood there as if none of it was directed at her at all.


    That quiet calm made the ones throwing insults falter. As if suddenly realizing the fun wasn’t as satisfying as they’d hoped. One by one, the taunts faded into silence.