Chapter 160

Sophia felt like she’d been struck by lightning. Her voice trembled with disbelief. “What did you say?”

Lillian’s face was etched with contempt. Aubree had dared to throw wine in her face, and now she was going to pay the price. Tonight was not only about bringing Brielle to her knees but also about exposing Aubree and Andrew’s secret relationship to the public eye. However, wary of upsetting the influential Clements family, Lillian knew this task had to be Sophia’s doing. Sophia detested Brielle and Aubree, and being Tessa’s lackey, she was more than willing to take on the charge.

“My brother told me he saw Andrew and Aubree checking into a hotel together, and I’ve seen them myself,” Lillian sneered.

Sophia’s scalp tingled with rage, her fists clenched. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. Why else would these so–called siblings, who aren’t blood–related, share a room when traveling? Are the Clements on a budget or something?”

Sophia’s hands shook, her eyes red with fury. “Lillian, thanks for sharing this. I won’t let Aubree get away with this. Birds of a feather, she and Brielle are both trash.”

Lillian watched as Sophia’s emotions peaked, then she began to set the stage. “Brielle and Aubree will be here tonight. Try not to seem too angry, okay? We can handle this privately.”

But this hit a nerve with Sophia. “No, I want to use this opportunity. To reveal what Aubree has done, and Andrew, how could he!”

Anger often clouds judgment, and Sophia felt a fire raging within her. She had to relay this information to Tessa immediately.

That bitch Aubree hooked up with Andrew!

Lillian, feigning concern, took Sophia’s arm. “Sophia, calm down. Let’s head downstairs.”

Sophia, bereft of reason, shook off her hand and stormed down.

Lillian watched her go, a slight smirk on her lips, then gracefully made her way to the staircase. The hall was resplendent, the guests mingling in earnest conversation. Basking in the glory of her expensive gown, Lillian descended the grand staircase, feeling like the belle of the ball, all eyes on her.

Then she spotted Spencer, looking dapper yet impatient, ignoring her presence, which irked her.

Then she thought, if she played her cards right and caught Max’s eye, she wouldn’t need to cling to Spencer – she could aim higher.

With each elegant step, Lillian felt like a fairy–tale princess, the music adding to her grandeur. But before she could soak up the adoration, the doors swung open, and in walked Brielle.

15:39 draped in a white lace dress, her grace slow and deliberate. And the man standing by her side was elegant as the moon, with the rosary on his wrist particularly conspicuous.

It was Max!

The hall fell into a hushed reverence. Max rarely attended such events, and his presence alone was enough to steal the spotlight.

Though Max and Brielle didn’t exhibit overt intimacy, not even linking arms, their mere proximity seemed to complement each other perfectly.

No one knew what Max’s presence signified, as it was his first time attending with a female companion.

No one knew if Brielle was indeed his date. At least he didn’t push her away.

The room seemed to hit mute. And there was Lillian, halfway down the stairs, now ignored by all, her grand entrance dissolving into awkwardness.

She had hoped to overshadow Brielle tonight, but there stood Brielle, not at all diminished by Max’s imposing aura. Brielle herself exuded a transcendental charisma, and her white lace dress only accentuated her allure.

How was she fit to stand before Max?