?Chapter 1150:


    Lord Rosethorne bristled, irritation shing in his eyes. “Missy, don’t push your luck. Do you even know who you’re dealing with?” he demanded.


    Only giving him a sideways nce, Elena couldn’t help noticing how unpleasant he was to look at—his few remaining hairs sticking out like thest wisps of a dandelion about to scatter. He wore his ugliness with all the pride of a museum piece.


    Meeting his gaze, Elena’s voice dripped with disdain. “Is it my job to care?”


    Elyse snapped, venom in every syble, “You must be out of your mind! That’s Lord Rosethorne. Show some damn respect. Who gave you the audacity to ignore him?”


    Elena sneered, unmoved. Her eyes sharpened. “You don’t deserve that kind of respect.”


    Scoffing, Elyse couldn’t hide her contempt. “Still think you’re in the, where someone would back you up? Wake up and face reality. This is Yoswye. Here, Lord Rosethorne can easily crush you. No one can save you!”


    Elyse thought fear would wipe the smirk off Elena’s face, but she got just the opposite.


    Unmoved, Elena shot back, “Is that so? Let’s see it, then.”


    These words felt like a p to Elyse’s pride—a challenge she couldn’t ignore. How could Elena keep acting so boldly after hearing her words? All her days fighting her way up from nothing in Yoswye had been fueled by old hatred toward Elena. None of this misery would’ve happened if not for Elena.


    With Lord Rosethorne standing behind her, Elyse lifted her arm, hand ready to strike Elena across the face.


    A sharp crack rang out through the room.


    For a heartbeat, Elyse just stared in disbelief. Then her rage spilled over. “You crazy bitch—how dare you p me?”


    Unbothered, Elena plucked a tissue from the table and dabbed her hands clean. “If you keep running your mouth, I don’t mind teaching you a lesson with a few more ps.”


    Anger flooded Elyse’s face, turning her eyes bloodshot. Temptation tosh out surged within her, butmon sense made her bite her tongue. Instead, she…


    Whirling around, she crumpled into Lord Rosethorne’s chest, sobbing theatrically. “Darling, she’s gone too far this time…”


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    With a soothing murmur, Lord Rosethorneforted Elyse and shot Elena a re brimming with threat. “Don’t cry, darling. She’s nobody. I’ll have her thrown out immediately.” He waved at the guards. “Guards,e here! Get this woman out of my sight!”


    A chilly voice cut through themotion. “Let’s see who daresy a finger on her.”


    Heads snapped toward the ballroom doors. Tinsley glided in, the picture of nobility in her evening gown, nked by an elegant young man and a small boy with sharp eyes.


    Elyse had never set foot in a royal ball before, and with no idea how to tell nobles from guests, she stood frozen in ce,pletely at a loss. The next second, without thinking, she snapped, “And just who do you think you are to—”


    “Shut up!” Lord Rosethorne barked, panic ring as he recognized Tinsley. He hastily shut down Elyse’s outburst. Suddenly all smiles, he bowed low. “Your Royal Highness, what a pleasure to see you again.”


    Tinsley kept her expression frosty, offering not so much as a nod.


    Behind her, Lance let a smirk curl his lips. “Lord Rosethorne, only a few days gone and you’re already causing trouble. Picking fights with my sister’s guest? Brave of you.”


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