?Chapter 275:


    As they made their way to the second floor, Elena and Javier saw some familiar faces.


    Matias and Evelyn’s private room was next to theirs.


    Upon spotting Javier, Matias called out with a grin, “Javier, didn’t you say you weren’ting? What made you change your mind?”


    Javier paused for a moment before answering, “I just… felt likeing to check it out.”


    He knew the incident in which Elyse identally caused Bertha to be poisoned should be kept from the public, or it might damage Elyse’s image. Although unhappy with Elyse, Javier’s instinct was to protect his family’s reputation.


    When Matias saw Elena, his face lit up and he weed her warmly. “Elena, you’re here too! Let Javier treat you to something nice. He’s known for his generosity.”


    Matias had been impressed by Elena’s skill in card games ever since he had witnessed it.


    Evelyn’s mood darkened as she stood nearby. She quickly pulled Matias back as he leaned in too close. “Stay right here.”


    Matiasughed nervously. “Evelyn…” Evelyn shot him a sharp look.


    She nced at Elena, noticed she was alone, and felt a twinge of disappointment.


    With a hint of arrogance, Evelyn asked, “Hey, why isn’t Jeffry here?”


    Elena settled into her seat, her expression unfazed as she replied, “You should ask him.”


    “You—” Evelyn started, but seeing that Elena ignored her, she chose not to press the issue, though she remained curious.


    Then, a piercing voice came from Elena’s right. “Evelyn, why do you associate with her? Aren’t you worried about lowering your standards?”


    Elena looked up to meet Karen’s disdainful, taunting gaze. Karen wore an elegant outfit, holding a delicate silk fan decorated with intricatece.


    Although annoyed, Evelyn held back and answered softly, “What makes you think I’m associating with her?”


    Karen refused to drop the matter and kept provoking. “This auction has really lost its quality, letting anyone in. It’s quite disappointing,” she said.


    Elena began to reply, but Javier interrupted her first. He gave a scornful smirk and said, “Absolutely, it’s lost all its ss. Who let this walking fashion catastrophe in?”


    “What did you just say?” Karen snapped. “This outfit represents the pinnacle of high fashion. Clearly, you’re the one with no sense of style!”


    If it hadn’t been for Elyse’s connection, she would have had Javier thrown out long ago.


    Javier was ready to retort, but Elena held him back. She turned to Karen with a casual yet piercing look, her expression neutral but somehow unsettling. “Haven’t you learned anything from ourst encounter?”


    Karen’s expression shifted instantly as a memory from the past rendered her silent.


    Javier stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock. In the, Karen was infamous for her willfulness and formidable arrogance, a reputation that kept most of the local elite at a distance. Yet, with a single, crisp sentence, Elena had silenced her effortlessly.


    How was this even possible?


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