Chapter 159

She was hell–bent on bringing Brielle down a peg or two, but Brielle had other plans. She’d booked a flight out of the country for the day after tomorrow and had started to research emerging social media companies.

Book was indeed the brightest star in the constellation of startups–next to it, every other contender seemed to fade into obscurity.

While replying to messages from the charity foundation, Brielle couldn’t help but smile at the findings of her investigation. It seemed there was one company that stood out.

Reassured, she engaged in a relaxed conversation with the charity. All the recordings and surveillance she had handed over, along with the transaction records of her donations to the charity, were enough to prove that the money was indeed given by her.

Brielle didn’t want to squabble over this at the party, so she had reached out to the police department she’d been in touch with before.

The charity was willing to vouch for her, and with all the evidence, Lillian’s guilt was as good as nailed down.

Brielle deliberately set the arrest for the following evening. She had said before that the more Lillian cared about something, the more Brielle wanted to destroy it. And she had an ace up her sleeve, something she planned to reveal at the party. It all depended on how far the Haywood family would push her.

The Haywoods were bent on throwing a lavish gala, sending out a flood of invitations and making it known that someone from the Dorsey family was expected to attend.

Who in Beaconsfield wouldn’t want to rub shoulders with the Dorseys? All the invitations that had been sent out were accepted, and the social circles were abuzz with speculation about what might unfold at the party.

“Will Brielle even have the nerve to show up? I bet Spencer would think she’s bad luck,” someone gossiped.

“Never mind Spencer, the Haywoods must be livid to find out they’ve been raising a bastard all these years,” another added.

“The magic drama of the year. I heard her personal life is a hot mess. She admitted to Spencer’s face that she’s been keeping a toy boy on the side.”

The chat about Brielle grew more fervent, but she herself slept soundly.

Everyone thought she wouldn’t dare to show up, but on the contrary, she started getting ready. with Aubree from the afternoon.

Aubree sat on the black salon chair, amused by Brielle’s rare serious effort to doll up. “You’re looking for trouble, aren’t you?” she teased.

15:39 Brielle squinted her eyes as the makeup brush swept across her face, “If I don’t go, they’ll only say worse things about me.”

Aubree chuckled, then her gaze dropped, “Do you think Max will really come?”

“I don’t know.”

Brielle hadn’t gone to the office that day. She had taken the day off instead.

Patrick had called her to ask about the orphanage location, and Brielle simply laid out her requirements. Patrick assured her he would handle the rest.

“Probably not,” she replied, closing her eyes to let the stylist finish their work.

Aubree, admiring her freshly manicured nails, said with a sardonic tone. “I think he will. Max seems to have a soft spot for you.”

“He said he’d consider marrying Alivia.”

Aubree’s hands paused, then she swore, “Men really are all the same, aren’t they?”

Brielle found it funny, but the laughter faded when she saw the faint bruise around Aubree’s neck.

Aubree seemed to feel Brielle’s gaze and pulled her collar up a bit, “He got a bit rough last. night.”

Was it just an accident, or had it been intentional? Brielle didn’t dare to ask.

The Haywood family mansion was ablaze with lights. Almost all the guests had arrived.

From the entrance to the garden, everything was decorated festively. The banquet tables were filled with pastries and red wine, and there was a fragrance of perfume in the air.

Lillian was still upstairs, surrounded by a swarm of stylists. She was wearing a dress that glittered with tiny diamonds, shining brilliantly with every step. Rumor had it that it was handcrafted by an Italian designer, and just the dress alone was worth a fortune. Her vanity was supremely satisfied, and she couldn’t resist posting in the group from before.

[You’re all coming tonight, right?)

The last encounter at Tequila Sunset had been unpleasant, and now Lillian had seemingly changed her stripes overnight. Not only had she become a true lady of the Haywood family, but she might even oust Brielle and become Spencer’s fiancée. So the group chat was a bit awkward at the moment.

It was Sophia who broke the ice. [Lillian, congratulations. You’ve really had it hard these years. Don’t worry, we’ll definitely be there.]

Lillian read the message and felt the irony of it. [Then I’ll be waiting.]

The rest of the group remained silent, each remembering how they had humiliated Lillian last time.

Who knew if she was one to hold a grudge?

In the end, only Sophia showed up. She went straight upstairs to see Lillian and upon seeing the dress, a surge of envy flashed through her. A dress worth millions was not something just anyone could wear.

Lillian caught the emotion in her eyes and approached her with feigned warmth, “Sophia, thanks for your support last time.”

Sophia was taken aback, as she hadn’t really stood up for Lillian. Even when Aubree threw the drink, Sophia hadn’t stepped forward.

“By the way, Sophia, do you know Aubree and Andrew slept together?”