Chapter 18


    “Emmeline!” na’s smile was sharine sweet as she made her way toward her cousin. “If you didn’t


    have a dress to wear tonight, I could have lent you one! I have plenty of better-quality dresses after all!”


    “Well, this dress was only 99 dors, including shipping!” Emmeline chuckled. “It’s perfect for tonight,”


    she added.


    na’s expression hardened. “What do you mean? Are you mocking our family with your cheap


    fashion?” na gave Emmeline a hard shove, causing Emmeline to stumble and fall backward.


    However, she was saved by a pair of strong hands that cushioned her fall from behind. Abel Ryker had


    just arrived.


    With an arm still wrapped protectively around Emmeline’s waist, Abel turned toward na with a frosty


    expression. “What’s wrong with a 99-dor dress? Emmeline looks better than any otherdy here


    tonight.”


    “Mr… Mr. Abel?” na stammered. “I… I was just teasing my cousin. You’re right, her dress is


    beautiful!”


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    “Don’t you owe her an apology?” Abel insisted, refusing to let na off the hook so easily.


    “I…” na paled visibly. They were surrounded by many guests who hade to check out the


    Adrien Ryker strode over as well. “Did you think you could just push my wife around and get away with


    it?” his tone was cold and menacing. He extended an arm, trying to get Emmeline over to his side, but


    she distanced herself away from him.


    “Emmeline…” na pouted. “I’m sorry, I was just messing around.”


    “My daughter-inw looks amazing in anything, including this dress!” Julianna Campbell announced,


    trying to diffuse the tension.


    “So does na!” Rosaline Turner chimed in, feeling the need to protect her grandchild’s mother. “A fine


    “Hmph, she’s not even close to Emmeline. It’s three against one! Isn’t that right, son?” Juliana


    snickered, referring to Emmeline’s three children.


    “That’s right!” Adrien agreed with his mother. “Not everyone can achieve what Emmeline has done!”


    Displeasure was clearly written all over Rosaline and Abel’s faces. Emmeline shifted herself to a


    corner, willing herself to disappear. The families could continue bickering on their own for all she cared!


    na was still seething over the dress incident, but she told herself to be patient. She had bigger ns


    in ce to take down Emmeline tonight. She shot her Aunt Alondra a look.


    Alondra walked to the center of the hall and lifted her wine ss to the crowd. “To express our gratitude


    for showering us with your presence tonight, na will delight us all with a special piano piece!” She


    ps her hands encouragingly.


    na lifted the skirt of her gown and waltzed toward the piano as graceful as a swan. She was a


    talented pianist, having been taught since young, unlike Emmeline who did not care for the arts. She


    through the room as na’s fingers moved up and down the piano keys, capturing everyone’s


    attention.


    “Truly the daughter of an upper-ss family! She could rival any famous piano soloist!” a guest


    “That’s true, she’s beautiful but also talented. I suppose that’s the criteria to marry a Ryker,” another


    friend chimed in.


    The praises and admiration did not slip past na’s eyes and ears. There was a devious glint in her


    eyes as she chuckled to herself. Watch out, bitch!


    A thunderous round of apuse rang out as soon as na finished her piece. She stood up to face the


    crowd and took a graceful bow before turning to her cousin.


    “Emmeline,” na called out to Emmeline with a smile. “You should y something for the crowd too!”


    “Me?” Emmeline pointed a finger to herself.


    “Emma? Emma’s not a pianist,” Alondra joined in. “I’ve raised her since she was a teenager and I’ve


    never seen her touch a piano!” She turned to Emmeline. “Isn’t that so, Emma? Do you even know how


    to y the piano?”


    “I… I know how to y a little,” Emmeline pinched her thumb and index finger together to indicate her


    level of skill.


    “I think you’re being way too modest, Emma!” na trilled. “Why don’t you y something for our dear


    guests then?”


    “Trust me, she’s not being modest,” Alondra reiterated. “She can’t even y a simple tune. You’re


    asking too much from her!”


    “Why don’t you y something simple then, Em?” na persuaded her cousin. “What about a nursery


    rhyme?”