Chapter 14

Chapter 14:

As the Morgans got into the car, Fernanda sat in the backseat with a calm, unreadable expression, not saying a word.

Erika couldn’t help but steal quick, cautious glances at Fernanda. The corners of her mouth twitched with suppressed laughter more than once, but she forced herself to remain composed, wary of giving anything away.

Tonight’s banquet was hosted by the Harper family at their sprawling estate just outside Esaham, a journey that would take a little over an hour.

Throughout the drive, Fernanda’s eyes stayed fixed on her phone, her fingers deftly scrolling through pages of financial news.

As the evening unfolded, the sky transformed into a tapestry of deepening colors, bold streaks of orange and pink stretching across the horizon like an artist’s dream.

When they arrived, the car stopped gently at the grand entrance of the estate. As the doors opened, laughter and lively conversation immediately washed over them.

Erika dashed out, her face brightening at the sight of familiar faces. She waved enthusiastically, calling, “Minnie! Ava!” Amber hurried after her, nearly jogging to keep up. Robert and Michelle drifted away together, leaving Fernanda momentarily alone.

Minnie Benton, tugging eagerly at Erika’s arm, chimed in, “Hey, Erika, isn’t your sister here tonight too?”

Minnie, petite and charming, had been close to Erika since childhood, their bond unwavering over the years. Lately, Erika had filled Minnie’s ears with constant criticism of Fernanda, and Minnie’s opinion of her friend’s newfound sister had plummeted.

“Yeah, she’s here. She’s supposed to get engaged to Bobby, so of course she had to come. Plus, she’s the main attraction tonight,” Erika murmured, leaning closer with a conspiratorial chuckle.

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“Main attraction? I highly doubt the Harpers would ever accept her,” Ava Ross, standing nearby, interjected.

Ava was a vision in a sleek black cocktail dress that accentuated every curve, radiating a sophisticated charm beyond her years. It was well known that Ava harbored feelings for Bobby. Though Bobby had never acknowledged any romantic ties with her, Ava remained convinced that destiny would eventually unite them. Who could have anticipated a mysterious so-called fiancée suddenly appearing out of nowhere?

“Ava, try to keep your cool,” Erika said gently, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze. “She’s no rival for you. Just wait until you meet her. Then you’ll understand.”

Ava tilted her head back and scoffed with contempt.

Erika lowered her voice, slyly telling the group that she had chosen Fernanda’s dress herself and expertly applied her makeup. At this, the group burst into a chorus of amused giggles.

“Why hasn’t she come over yet?” Minnie asked, her eyes scanning the venue, eager to witness Fernanda’s expected embarrassment firsthand. “Do you think she’s too scared to show up at an event like this?”

Time passed, and still there was no sign of Fernanda.

Eventually, Michelle approached Erika and instructed, “Erika, please go fetch Fernanda. Make sure she doesn’t wander too far, or she might get lost and embarrass herself.”

The girls snickered at Michelle’s comment, mocking Fernanda for her supposed lack of sophistication and elegance, their expressions filled with visible disdain.

Just as Erika was about to look for Fernanda, a buzz of whispers and eager murmurs swept through the crowd.

Everyone turned at once. Emerging through the archway at the edge of the lawn was a statuesque young woman dressed in a striking white cocktail dress. The uneven hemline—short on one side near the thigh and longer on the other just below the knee—beautifully showcased her long legs.

Her hair was elegantly twisted low at the nape of her neck, secured with a delicate pearl pin, while gentle curls softly framed her cheeks.

Her makeup was subtle, the light shade of her lips perfectly matching her dress, and she carried herself with a cool, regal elegance that seemed almost untouchable.

Murmurs of awe rippled through the crowd, captivated by her serene beauty.

Her allure wasn’t simply the result of artful cosmetics. It was innate. She radiated a purity and quiet strength that required no embellishment, setting her apart from everyone else.

Leaning closer, Minnie whispered to Erika, “Who is she? I’ve never seen her before.”

Ava’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she studied the unfamiliar beauty with keen intensity.

Erika, meanwhile, stood frozen, her mouth agape and her eyes wide with shock. It was Fernanda—the supposedly naive country girl she had tried so hard to undermine.

Fernanda had completely transformed herself. She had shortened the dress, swept up her hair, removed the garish accessories, and cleansed her face of the heavy makeup Erika had applied.

She had unraveled every scheme Erika had set against her. Erika could hardly believe what she was seeing.

Yet Fernanda seemed oblivious to the stunned stares and palpable astonishment around her. With steady confidence and not a hint of hesitation, she walked directly toward Robert.

Robert’s face lit up with unmistakable pride.

Fernanda had effortlessly become the center of attention, a fact that filled him with immense joy.

“Robert, is she really your daughter?” a friend asked, beaming.

“She’s absolutely breathtaking!”

Fernanda’s lips curved into a faint smile as she acknowledged Robert’s friend with a polite nod. “Thank you,” she murmured, her tone soft yet warm.

Others in the group didn’t hesitate to shower Fernanda with even more praise.

“Why is she talking to your dad?” Minnie whispered, nudging Erika, her curiosity growing. As Erika spun around, her shock was clear, and Minnie’s voice rose in amazement. “You’re not saying that’s your sister, are you?”

Ava’s posture stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Erika, what’s going on?” Amber asked in a low, anxious whisper. The four of them had expected Fernanda to be the laughingstock of the evening. Instead, she dazzled as the belle of the ball, commanding everyone’s attention.

Erika’s lips parted as if to reply, but no words came out.

Men, in particular, gravitated toward Fernanda, eager to introduce themselves and offer their greetings.

Everyone in the room had been curious about the Morgan family’s eldest daughter, raised in the countryside. Contrary to all the rumors, Fernanda carried herself with an effortless composure and a charm that was both natural and captivating, outshining even Erika without seeming to try.

Fernanda moved gracefully through the evening’s pleasantries, though her eyes continued to search the crowd for Bobby, her supposed fiancé, but he was nowhere to be seen.

With a glass of wine in hand and a growing sense of boredom, Fernanda wandered to the secluded edge of the garden. The estate sprawled magnificently, the heart of it alive with music and laughter. Bordering the main event space were rows of neatly trimmed trees and a small pond, its waters sparkling with reflections from the colored fountains.

As Fernanda slipped beneath the broad branches of a towering oak, a sudden hand reached out, pulling her aside with unexpected urgency. Instinctively, she raised her arm to defend herself, but her assailant quickly secured her forearm, pinning it gently. A low, soothing male voice whispered in her ear, “Relax. It’s me.”

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