Chapter 17


    “No, not that! That will happen sooner orter,” Alondra scoffed.


    “Then, what is it?” Emmeline eyed the invitation in Alondra’s hand as she spoke.


    “It’s my niece, na’s birthday party today,” Alondra exined. “As you know, the Lanes always put on


    a grand party, and how could we not extend an invitation to you?”


    “Oh, is that so?” Emmeline asked rhetorically, figuring there was no way na had invited her out of


    the kindness of her heart.


    In fact, she was not far from the truth. na was frantic knowing that Adrien was about to propose to


    Emmeline anytime soon. If Emmeline married Adrien, the real identities of her three children would be


    exposed sooner orter and na would find herself in trouble. Secondly, she had been going after


    Adrien for more than four years to no avail. If Emmeline won his favor the moment she appeared, she


    would be utterly humiliated, bing theughingstock of the upper echelons of Struyria.


    No, na could never let that happen! She had something nned out just for Emmeline during her


    birthday party that would teach Emmeline where she stood. Once everything had beenid out, na


    had asked her Aunt Alondra to deliver the invitation to Emmeline.


    “It’s my absolute pleasure!” Emmeline finally put on a smile and replied to Alondra earnestly.


    “Wonderful! I’ll see you tonight at eight then, goodbye!” Alondra trilled before she left the premises.


    “Emma!” a familiar voice called out. Emmeline peered outside the gate to find her brother, Ethan and


    sister-inw, Grace waiting. She quickly invited them into the house and brewed them a cup of coffee.


    “Is there some kind of good news?” Emmeline asked curiously, noticing the couple looked particrly


    cheery today as she observed them.


    “Well…” Ethan began a little bashfully. “Since thest time we met, I took on a huge job that gave me a


    clean profit of more than half a million, and I’ve also recently started a small business. It’s nothing too


    fancy, but it pays well. I’ve done the calctions and if everything goes well, I’ll earn $100,000!”


    “That’s wonderful news, Ethan!” Emmeline shed a joyful smile as she served her brother coffee.


    “Someone even asked me for an interviewst time and paid me good money for it,” Grace butted in.


    “The director even gave me a segment of my own. Oh, I was the talk of the town!”


    “What about the interview this time?” Emmeline asked.


    “This time, it’s an interview with a big Struyrian mediapany. They asked me to do a live interview


    segment, and they pay quite handsomely too!” Grace said proudly.


    “Oh, I’m so happy for the both of you! How should we celebrate?” Emmeline asked.


    Ethan let out a wistful sigh. “All these years, I’ve always lived in fear of Alondra. As your older brother,


    not only did I not protect you, I made you worry about me all the time. It’s always been a big regret of


    mine.”


    “That’s right, Em,” Grace continued. “Your brother and I could only help so much. We could not fully


    take care of you and your three children as well as we should. The only thing we could do was earn


    more money to help you.”


    Emmeline’s eyes welled up with tears as she listened to her brother and sister-inw.


    “Silly girl, don’t cry now,” Ethan consoled his sister. “We’re siblings after all,” he could not stand to


    watch his sister cry.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    “I know, I know,” Emmeline sniffled. “I won’t say anything more, or all my tears would go into the


    coffee!”


    Once Ethan and Grace left, Emmeline quickly shopped online for a wine-red mermaid cut evening


    gown for the partyter that night. She paid a grand total of 99 dors inclusive of shipping, which was


    a great deal in her books! She refused to spend a penny more on someone like na anyway. If


    anything, na should be grateful that she decided to attend her party.


    Emmeline showed up at the Lane family vi at eight sharp that night. It was a big party, and the family


    had invited hundreds of guests who filled up every corner of the extravagant residence. Everyone was


    eagerly awaiting Abel and Adrien Ryker’s arrival, together with their mothers, Rosaline Turner and


    Julianna Campbell, but there was no sign of them just yet.


    na could not help but notice Emmeline as she walked in, lighting up the hall with her presence. The


    woman was truly beautiful, with a captivating quality she could not quite exin with words alone. Her


    porcin skin glowed under the dim warm lighting, making it difficult for the men around to keep their


    eyes off her.


    Oh, how na wished she could give that face a tight p! However, she knew that was not a smart


    move right now. As she observed Emmeline for a little while longer, she finally discovered something


    she could use against her.