Chapter 1320

No.1

When she saw how Julian looked at Evelyn, Clarisse's nails dug into her palm. The obsession in his eyes chilled her.

"Excuse me," Julian turned away.

Mrs. Ashford hurried to reassure Clarisse. "I'll bring him back."

Once alone, Clarisse picked up her glass and approached Evelyn with her friend in tow.

"Miss Sinclair," she chirped innocently. "I've heard so much about you."

Her friend played along. "Oh? Like what?"

"Miss Sinclair is a legend in journalism," Clarisse trilled. "Not only did she win against Lord Alex..."

No.2

She paused deliberately, letting ears perk up around them.

"She kept working through her pregnancy," she blinked. "Though I wonder—who's the father?"

The ballroom fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The chandelier's glow cast an eerie silence around Evelyn Sinclair.

She could feel dozens of eyes piercing her abdomen like arrows.

"Oh my!" Chloe Cui's friend gasped theatrically, covering her mouth. "I never would've guessed!"

The deliberately hushed yet perfectly audible exclamation reached every guest in the ballroom.

No.3

Chloe smirked behind her hand. "Someone as accomplished as Ms. Sinclair surely didn't sleep her way to the top?"

The crowd's expressions shifted instantly.

Vincent Sullivan's face darkened. His parents exchanged displeased glances.

Evelyn's pregnancy wasn't meant to be discussed here.

"Such vile gossip these days," Chloe sighed dramatically. "People actually claim Ms. Sinclair secured deals by bearing some old man's child—"

Her friend chimed in: "How ridiculous! Ms. Sinclair would never!"

Their tag-team performance cornered Evelyn perfectly.

No.4

"Miss Cui." Evelyn's lips curved into a serene smile. "Thank you for debunking those rumors."

Chloe preened—until Evelyn continued:

"You seem quite knowledgeable about sugar daddies and mistresses. After all, your father's illegitimate children could field a soccer team, couldn't they?"

Chloe's face drained of color.

"How dare you!" her friend snapped.

Evelyn sipped champagne, unfazed. "Where is your father tonight? Celebrating his third son's birthday?"

Chloe trembled, manicured nails digging into her palms.

No.5

She never imagined Evelyn knew the Cui family's darkest secret.

"A journalist's instincts," Evelyn said lightly. "Occupational hazard."

Only then did Chloe realize she'd picked the wrong opponent.

She'd meant to humiliate Evelyn and impress Julian Ashford.

Instead, she'd exposed her own family's disgrace.

The guests' gazes now brimmed with mocking amusement.

"Mr. Sullivan." A waiter approached urgently. "Madeline and Eleanor Kingsley have arrived."

No.6

The Sullivans stood immediately.

Madam Zade linked arms with Evelyn. "Come greet our distinguished guests."

She didn't spare Chloe a glance—a dismissal clearer than words.

Chloe stood rooted, cheeks burning.

"Should we..." her friend whispered, "go see the Kingsleys too?"

Chloe glared at Evelyn's retreating figure, eyes blazing.

Her carefully laid trap had become her own public downfall.

No.7

"Shall we go to the lounge area?" Monica Chen asked solicitously, linking arms with Chloe Cui.

Chloe gently pulled away. "Don't mind me. Mrs. Kingsley is here—this is your chance."

"The Kingsleys?" Monica gave a self-deprecating laugh. "What socialite in Kingsbury could ever land Alexander Kingsley?"

She shot Chloe a meaningful glance. "Not everyone has your luck stumbling upon Julian Ashford."

Though the Ashfords weren't as prominent as the Kingsleys, Julian was still considered one of the city's most eligible bachelors.