?Chapter 46:


    “Entry is restricted to those with invitations only. Do you have one?”


    Katelyn was taken aback by the guard’s question. Tricia hadn’t mentioned needing an invitation during their call.


    She furrowed her brows and muttered, “Hold on, I’ll call Tricia.” Katelyn tried reaching Tricia by phone, but there was no response.


    Faced with no other option, she turned back to the guards. “Tricia is my best friend. She invited me, but she’s not answering her phone right now.”


    The guards’ expressions hardened, clearly skeptical of Katelyn’s exnation. One of them replied sternly, “Without an invitation, we simply can’t let you in. Didn’t you hear us the first time? We can’t just allow anyone who ims to be Miss Guerrero’s friend inside. What if it’s someone with bad intentions?”


    Katelyn’s expression soured as she pressed her lips together tightly. She tried calling Tricia once more, but again, there was no answer.


    As guests with invitations flowed into the party hall, Katelyn stood alone outside, drawing curious nces and whispers.


    All of a sudden, a shocked voice resonated from behind her.


    “Katelyn, is that you?”


    When Katelyn turned around, she saw Ad Tucker approaching. They had met before but weren’t closely acquainted. Katelyn waved.


    Ad approached and handed her invitation to the guard who had stopped Katelyn.


    “She’s my friend. May we enter together?”


    Ad had noticed Katelyn’s predicament the moment she exited her car.


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    After the guard inspected the invitation, he nodded and allowed them to enter.


    Looking earnestly at Ad, Katelyn expressed her gratitude. “Thank you for your help just now.”


    Ad dismissed the thanks with a casual wave and linked arms with Katelyn, leading her forward. “Don’t mention it.”


    Inside, Katelyn scanned the familiar faces around her, recognizing many old friends. Among the crowd, she spotted Lise.


    As Katelyn began to search for Tricia, she was surprised to see her walking over to thank everyone for attending her birthday party.


    When Tricia noticed Katelyn, her expression changed drastically, and she shouted, “Who let this woman in? Get her out of here!”


    Her sharp voice captured everyone’s attention instantly. Whispers spread as all eyes turned to Katelyn, and she felt a chill run through her.


    It appeared that Tricia had orchestrated the birthday party to humiliate her.


    Lise approached and spoke softly. “Tricia, is there a misunderstanding here between you and Katelyn? Weren’t you good friends before? Why do you want to kick her out?”


    Realizing the situation, Ad quickly came to Katelyn’s defense.


    “Yes, we are good friends. You can’t just mistreat her because her circumstances have changed. She came here to celebrate your birthday with you. Why are you being so cruel?”


    “You don’t understand anything! You have no right to judge me!” Tricia retorted, ring at Katelyn.


    “When the Bailey family worked with the Guerrera family, she abused her position as a Bailey to bully me. She’d boss me around, send me on errands, and even threatened me to keep quiet about it,” Tricia dered.


    These usations caused everyone to look at Katelyn with disdain.


    Katelyn, on the other hand, was visibly displeased. Tricia was lying.


    Acting surprised, Lise said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Tricia. I didn’t mean to dredge up such painful memories. We were all under the impression that you two had a great rtionship.”


    Tricia said nothing, clenching her teeth as if enduring profound injustice.


    Ad gently patted Tricia’s shoulder and offered insincerefort. “The past is the past, and Katelyn has already faced the consequences. I still hope you two can reconcile.”


    Tricia scoffed and looked at Katelyn with disdain. “For your sake, I’ll forgive her.”


    Katelyn observed the insincere disy, her eyes glimmering with scorn.


    It was clear now; her initial reluctance to attend what she suspected to be a sham birthday party was justified. The im of going abroad was nothing more than a ploy to draw her into this event.


    Katelyn stood tall, disregarding the curious stares around her. She appeared unaffected by the ordeal. “Are we finished? If so, I’m leaving.”


    Just as she turned to leave, another person began screaming.


    “My diamond ne is gone!”


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