“For God’s sake, Chase,” she heard the man – presumably Astor senior – say. “It’s just a car. Show some dignity.”
“Just a car?” Chase looked scandalized. ‘Grandfather, this is a Koenigsegg One:1! There are only six of these in the entire world! Six! And one is right here at Philip’s birthday party!”
“I don’t care if it’s the only one in the universe,” his grandfather snapped. “We’re here for Philip’s birthday, not to gawk <b>at </b>automobiles. Nowe inside like a proper gentleman.”
Chase hesitated, eyes still locked on Jade’s car. ‘I’m going to wait and see who owns it.”
“Like hell you are,” his grandfather growled, grabbing his arm. “Inside. Now.”
Chase reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged toward the house, casting longing nces back at the car. Jade smiled to herself.
She decided it was time to circte. As Jade moved through the rooms, she could feel eyes following her. Unlike every other woman at the party, she’d opted for simple ck cks and a fitted cashmere sweater rather than an evening gown. The contrast was deliberate – she had no interest in ying by their rules.
The whispers followed her like ripples:
“Who is she?”
“Doesn’t she know this is a formal event?”
In the main sitting room, Jade spotted Catherine and Aurelia huddled together on a settee, both watching her with undisguised hostility.
“It’s her again, Aurelia hissed. “What is she doing here?”
Catherine sneered. “Look how she’s dressed. Country mouse trying to y in the big city, Doesn’t even know how to dress for an event like this.”
“She’s loaded though, Aurelia muttered. “Has money but doesn’t know how to spend it.”
“How do you know she has money?” Catherine asked.
I lost a year’s allowance betting against her,” Aurelia admitted.
Catherine’s eyes widened. And she showed up in taxis but imed she used to own Crystal Vault.
Jade turned away, uninterested in their petty gossip. Unfortunately, Catherine had other ideas. She stood up, champagne flute in hand, and intercepted Jade.
“Well, well. You again,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Who invited you?”
Jade started to move past her, not wanting to create a scene at Philip’s party. Catherine, however, wasn’t finished. She followed Jade, her champagne sloshing dangerously close to the rim of her ss.
I’m talking to you,‘ she said, louder now. “Do you think buying your way into these events makes you one of us?”
Jade stopped and turned to face her. “I’m not interested in being one of you,‘ Catherine. Now if you’ll excuse me-
With deliberate slowness, Catherine raised her ss. “Oops,” she said with mock innocence as she tilted the flute. toward Jade’s sweater.
58
Jade moved with practiced ease, sidestepping the champagne while simultaneously catching Catherine’s wrist. The momentum caused the golden liquid to are backward, sshing across Catherine’s expensive silk dress instead.
She shrieked, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. The champagne had created arge stain down her front, making it look like she’d had an unfortunate ident.
“You bitch!” Catherine screamed. “You did that on purpose!”
Guests turned to stare, and whispers immediately circted through the room.
“Did you see that?”
“That girl just dumped champagne all over Catherine Sullivan!”
“That girl’s in trouble now<b>…</b>”
Catherine raised her hand, clearly intending to p Jade. Jade stood perfectly still, calcting how best to respond
without causing more of a scene.
Before Catherine’s hand could connect with Jade’s face, amanding voice cut through the tension.
“That’s enough!”
Henry Astor had entered the room, his presence immediatelymanding attention. Catherine’s hand froze mid–air.
“Youngdy,‘ he said to Catherine, his voice cold with disapproval, “what do you think you’re doing?”
Catherine’s face flushed with righteous indignation. “She threw champagne all over me! Look at my dress!”
‘I saw exactly what happened, Henry said firmly.