Chapter 421

Billy, Lauren, and Ruby arrived at the grand entrance of the banquet hall, dressed to the nines and ready to mingle with the crème de la crème of high society.

Lauren confidently handed over the invitation, but their stride was halted by a stern- faced butler.

"What's the big idea stopping us?" Lauren asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Madam," the butler replied, “this invitation is a counterfeit. I'm afraid you cannot enter the ballroom."

The trio was gobsmacked. How had their evening taken such an unexpected turn?

Billy and Ruby turned to Lauren in unison, their expressions demanding answers. After all, she was the one who had secured the invitation.

Lauren was as clueless as they were about the mix-up.

The butler persisted, "Take a good look. This invitation won't get you past the door. If you don't believe me, wait here and compare yours to the others being presented.”

Frustrated, Lauren whipped out her phone and dialed number after number, but to no avail - no one picked up.

Billy's face turned a shade darker with anger as he pulled Lauren aside. “Let's not make a scene here," he hissed.

But Lauren defended herself, "Billy, the guy who sold me the invite assured me it was the right place."

Her defense only seemed to irk Billy further. Frowning, he retorted, "Lauren, have you lost your mind? Paying up without verifying the authenticity of the invite? What were you thinking?"

Ruby chimed in, her voice a mixture of concern and disbelief, "Mom, I think you've been duped."

Despite her reluctance to accept the truth, the evidence was staring Lauren in the face.

The summer heat was unrelenting, and there they stood in their fancy attire, perspiration beginning to seep through their clothes and ruin their makeup.

Billy, his patience wearing thin, muttered, “Let's just go before we become the evening's laughing stock."

"But Dad," Ruby interjected, "let's wait a bit longer. Maybe Xavier will show up and he can get us in."

Billy's demeanor brightened at the thought. It was a long shot, but worth the wait.

As they stood there, hoping for a miracle, Josefina and Alex arrived. Alex, the hotshot designer at the company, was accompanied by Josefina, undoubtedly as part of some grand scheme.

Josefina exited the vehicle, a vision in a black, cinched-waist gown, her hair elegantly coiffed, diamond earrings glittering. The Antonios were floored - was this glamorous woman really Josefina?

It was only after Josefina had made her grand entrance into the banquet that the Antonios snapped out of their daze.

Lauren, fueled by a mix of anger and embarrassment, confronted the butler. "Why can they go in?"

The butler presented an authentic invitation. Lauren's was baby pink; the real deal was a soft lilac - they weren't even the same color.

Accepting the harsh reality, Lauren's spirits plummeted.

Just as they were about to leave, a Bentley pulled up.

Their eyes were drawn to the spectacle as a young man in a sharp suit and with an air of undeniable authority stepped out.

Ruby gaped at the sight. This man exuded wealth and class, leagues beyond Xavier.

"Who's that?” Lauren murmured, unable to hide her curiosity.

Billy was speechless; he was out of his depth with such elite company.

The butler glanced at them, almost pityingly, "That, ladies and gentlemen, is Dorian

Harrison, the scion of the Harrison family. You mean to tell me you've never even heard of young Master Harrison?"