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But to everyone’s surprise, when the lights in the hall went dark, Selina, holding onto Melanie and Timothy’s arms with Christopher and Perseus following behind, making her grand debut, and the four of them descended the sweeping staircase together, bathed in the spotlight–the picture of a united White family–the villa’s double doors swung open with a boom.
A blaze of light spilled in from the entrance, outlining a slender figure that instantly drew
every eye.
She stepped inside slowly, framed by fire and shadow. A red satin gown hugged her curves, tailored to perfection, showing off her striking figure. The off–shoulder design revealed smooth, fair skin, elegant collarbones, and a ruby necklace that glittered like flame against her neck. The fitted waist and fishtail hem flowed into a slit that swayed with every graceful step, revealing flashes of her long, straight legs.
Anneliese walked forward, her naturally radiant features enhanced by flawless makeup. In an instant, she became the new focal point of the entire room.
Selina had sent her a black gown, claiming Melanie had chosen it for her. Knowing Anneliese valued family’s feelings, especially on Melanie’s birthday, Selina had been certain she would obediently wear the old–fashioned dress, only to look plain and stiff beside her. But instead, Anneliese appeared in blazing red–matching Selina’s own choice.
And the color suited Anneliese perfectly. The bold design highlighted her figure, turning her into a vision of elegance and allure. Compared to her, Selina’s princess–like red dress looked juvenile, almost comical. Selina nearly wanted to order the servants to drag Anneliese away and force her to change.
D*mn her! Selina clenched her jaw so tight it ached, her face twisting under the weight of fury and jealousy.
“Ow, Selina?” Melanie gasped in pain, and Selina realized she had dug her nails into her mother’s arm. She quickly released her grip, lowering her voice into false concern. “Our whole family is over here, while Anne walked in alone. People will talk. I’ll bring her over.”
She tried to step away, but Melanie yanked her back. “Why bother? She came here just to make trouble.”
“Mom’s right,” Christopher added with a scoff. “She’s embarrassing us on purpose, parading herself for laughs. What good does it do her? She never knows her place.”
Perseus frowned. “She’s just grabbing the spotlight. Ridiculous and stupid.”
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Chapter 169 A Red Entrance
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Timothy said nothing, his grim expression an unspoken agreement with his wife and sons. That night was meant to show the family as one united front. One person’s disgrace stained
them all.
In their eyes, Anneliese’s appearance proved she was a small–town girl with no sense of propriety, incapable of the refinement Selina had displayed in tirelessly preparing for the banquet.
That was how the entire White family saw it. But Anneliese no longer regarded them as her family, and their reputation meant nothing to her. She was here for one purpose–to disrupt.
“She’s stunning. Who is she? I don’t remember seeing her before.”
“Isn’t that the Whites‘ real daughter? The one from that scandal four years ago.”
“That’s her? My god, she looks like that? No wonder…”
“Doesn’t matter. She’s just a pretty face. A nobody. Not even raised by Mrs. White. Even if she is their blood, there’s no bond there. And after what happened back then… What a disgrace.”
“Exactly. Selina grew up showered with love, raised like their true daughter. She’s just graduated from a top foreign university and even landed an offer at AeroAir. She’s going to build airplanes.”
“No wonder Mrs. White always brings her up in conversation and never the real daughter.”
“Still, it’s sad. She should have had everything–wealth, privilege, comfort–but instead grew up poor and neglected. And even now she’s useless…”
Whispers rippled across the hall. The initial awe in the guests‘ eyes shifted into disdain, pity, and mockery.
Anneliese ignored them all, walking with unhurried grace.
Zacharias‘ eyes lit up, and he made to step toward her, but Lenora and Melody pulled him back. “Don’t you dare. Do you want to humiliate yourself with her?”
“Zach, listen to Mom,” Lenora urged. “The doctor said if she gets angry again and faints, it could be dangerous.”
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