Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
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“Nadine, the banquet’s at Evermount Vi. The moment you step in wearing this, you’ll steal the spotlight. So what if Tess is Finn’s wife? You’ll still outshine her.”
Hearing that, Nadine practically glowed. Tilting her chin, she gave a dismissive snort. “Tess? Please, Sydney–she’s just a shabby ex–con. How could she possiblypare to me?”
Ever since Tess got out of prison, she’d only dressed up once–at that auction. Every other time they’d crossed paths, Tess was in in, almost dowdy clothes.
A woman like that, trying topete with her? What a joke.
Nadine’s lips curled in disdain.
Sydney nodded eagerly in agreement.
gone <b>all </b>
The celebration banquet was set to bevish. Even with just one day of prep, Finn had out. The event was already making waves in the entertainment news, with headlines like “Lock Group Clears Its Name–giarist Arrested,” “Ms.Nadine Credited for Major Contribution–Mr. Lock Throws Banquet in Her Honor,” and “Mr. Lock Opens His Private Evermount Vi for the Celebration.”
Scrolling through the trending posts, Nadine’s brows lifted in satisfaction.
The next day, after some thought, Tess had agreed to Steven’s request–just to help his research institute with legal matters asionally.
That afternoon, she returned from the institute to find the gates of Evermount Vi swarming with activity.
A line of luxury cars clogged the entrance, guests in tailored suits and designer gowns stepping out and walking the rest of the way in.
“Miss, you’ll have to get out of here. No cars are being let through,” the taxi driver said, ncing at her uncertainly.
From the online buzztely, he recognized the vi–it was the private estate of one of the country’s wealthiest men, and today it was hosting a banquet. Most guests were dressed to the nines. But his passenger? Casual clothes, arriving in a cab.
Then a thought crossed his mind, Another influencer here <i>to </i>snap photos at <i>the </i>gates<i>? </i>
It fit too perfectly.
Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
His lip curled slightly in disdain.
<i>These </i><i>young </i>people are <i>really </i><i>vain</i>…
“Miss, I said, get out,” he repeated, his tone sharper this time. <ul><li>5 Free Coins </li></ul>
Tess had been reaching for her bag to step out, but the irritation in his voice made her nce at him.
That single look made him bristle. “What’s with that look?”
She paused mid–motion, pulling her leg back into the cab. “And what kind of customer service is that supposed to be?”
He gave a short, derisiveugh. “Didn’t you hear me? I said get out.”
“I’ll be filing aint,” she said coolly, stepping out without another nce.
He stared after her, incredulous. <i>A </i><iint</i><i>? </i>His jaw tightened, anger ring. He mmed his door, canceled his next ride, and followed her toward the gate.
At the vi’s entrance, security was checking each guest’s invitation. The elite guests chatted idly while they waited in line.
“Oh my God, is that thetest Dior gown you’re wearing?”
“Yours is gorgeous too. It has such a unique cut.”
The air was full of ttery and politeughter.
Tess ignored it all, stepping right up to the guard and motioning for him to open the gate.
Before the guard could speak, a woman in line turned to look her over, her tone sharp with annoyance. “And who are you supposed to be?”
Her <i>eyes </i>swept over Tess from head to toe, unimpressed.
“Where’d youe from? No gown, no invite–and you think you can cut my line?”
She crossed her arms and barked to the guard, “Throw her out!”
Tess’s gaze
shifted briefly to her, cold and unreadable, before settling on the head security
officer–Felix.
19:16 Thu, Oct <b>2 </b>
Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
Felix broke into a nervous sweat and shot the woman a warning look.
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Was she crazy? This might be a party venue for them, but for Finn’s wife, this was home.
“Thisdy-” he began, frowning.
But the woman cut him off with a re. “Think before you speak. I was invited here personally by Nadine.”
Pulling off her sunsses, she revealed her face–Sydney.
Felix froze for half a second.
Tess didn’t so much as nce her way. Her eyes stayed on the security device in Felix’s hand, her face half–hidden in the scarf wrapped around her neck.
Sydney noticed the deliberate snub, and her temper red.
“Who the hell do you think you are, ignoring me?”
She reached out to yank Tess back, but Tess pped her hand away without hesitation. “Back off.”
The word was muffled under her scarf, but the “back off” came through loud and clear. Around them, a few onlookers raised their brows in surprise.
Everyone knew the Garners had fallen on hard times in recent years, and no one expected Sydney to cause a scene at Evermount Vi. But then again, she was Nadine’s famously close friend.
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.