BuzzNovel“It’s about time. Let's get ready to head down,” Scott said as he walked over, Yvonne at his side, her makeup
immaculate.
“Dad! Mom!” Ileana called out, lifting the hem of her dress as she hurried over, her voice bubbling with
excitement.
A rare, genuine smile flickered across Yvonne's face as she smoothed lleana’s hair, her lips curving into a
picture-perfect smile.
“All that running around-what if you trip and fall?”
Illeana stuck out her tongue playfully and slipped her arm through Yvonne's, the two of them looking every bit
the close-knit family.
“Mr. Tate, Mrs. Tate.”
“Thank you for everything. We've set out spastries for you in the next room.” Most of the stylists invited
tonight had connections in the industry; the organizers always made sure the staff were taken care of, if only to
avoid any gossip.
“Thank you, Mr. Tate. Your family looks so happy together.”
“Yes, Miss Tate takes after her mother-so sweet and charming.” With a few more words of praise, the staff knew
their work was done for the day.
Yvonne's smile stayed in place, and she gave a small nod, apparently pleased with the compliment. But if you
looked closely, her eyes betrayed nothing but polite formality.
“It’s almost time,” Scott's assistant murmured in his ear.
Scott nodded. “Let's go. The reception is about to begin.”
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Ileana straightened her posture unconsciously, her smile unwavering as she lifted her chin ever so slightly. With
Scott and Yvonne each holding one of her hands, the three of them descended the grand staircase together, all
eyes in the room fixed on
them.
The attention made Ileana feel almost triumphant. She glanced down at the crowd, feeling every bit a regal
queen surveying her court.
In a quiet corner, Stella and Penny stood together. Penny’s face was unreadable, while Stella seemed to be
scanning the room, as if searching for someone.
“Can’t stand still, can you?” Penny whispered.
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“Standing here with you reminds me-Isn’t the little princess your cousin?” Stella teased, a mischievous glint in
her eyes.
“Looking for scraps and tossing away the feast,” Penny replied, her words heavy with meaning.
Stella's lips curved upward despite herself. “That's for sure. No one can hold a candle to my Lessie.”
At that, Penny-usually so composed-couldn’t quite keep her expression in check. Stella, for her part, only winked
flirtatiously at Penny.
Their exchange went unnoticed; everyone else was focused on the stage.
“Thank you all for making tto attend this special occasion,” Scott began, his voice ringing out across the
hall. “After seventeen years apart, our daughter has finally chome...”
Yvonne held lleana’s arm, the two of them looking inseparable.
“No doubt she’s their real daughter-she really does resemble them.”
“They seem close. But what about
the other girl? Seventeen years ef
ling eta cast
her bside. How much love could
there really have been?” The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Well, blood is blood.”
“No point comparing someone who was swapped in-they just can’t measure up. She’s not even half as elegant.”
“Elegance is just a matter of money, isn’t it? She had seventeen years of living as
the heiress.”
“Still, it’s heartless. Seventeen years, and just like that, she’s out.”
Whispers rippled through the crowd as Scott's speech drew to a close.
“lleana, would you like to say something?” Scott turned to her, beckoning with a gentle smile, his eyes full of
encouragement.
Yvonne squeezed lleana’s hand and
led her forward, wile ggottstenped
Bide Tikiedwo Ga s stood
protectively on either side of her. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
lleana took a deep breath, trying to
steady herself. She glanced at) m
Yvonne thepgtSdott Both their
ghizés radiating warmth and
reassurance. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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