Chapter 11


    “It’s an invitation to Mr. Alfred Moore’s banquet next Wednesday. Don’t forget to attend.” Joyce tossed


    over her shoulder as she headed for the bathroom.


    Natalie skimmed through the invitation card, her brain slow to process the information due to all the wine


    she drank. It took her a moment to remember who Alfred was. He was her benefactor and also a dear


    friend.


    On the day of the banquet.


    The banquet was being held at the Moore family’s winery.


    Most of the guests in attendance were some of J City’s most influential, powerful, or rich people.


    After settling her kids for the night, Natalie arrived at the winery on time.


    That night, she chose to wear a dress of her own design. It was an inspiration from two different cultures,


    leading to a dress with a high turtle-neck and a body-hugging design at the top. The bottom was of the


    usual mermaid fit.


    The cool tone of the navy blue dress only entuated the fairness of her skin. She had pinned her silky,


    raven locks up into a loose bun, revealing the smooth column of her slender neck. With a smile curving


    her lips, she practically oozed elegance and charm.


    The banquet hall was bustling with noise when she entered it. A substantial crowd was already there as


    the guests milled around and chatted with each other.


    The moment she made her entrance, her appearance instantly drew the attention of the hall’s upants.


    “Who is she? Why haven’t I seen her before?”


    “This is Mr. Moore’s banquet. Anyone who can attend must be someone of importance.”


    “Hmm, she’s quite beautiful. Actually, I would say her figure and features are even better than some of


    the celebrities out there!”


    The smile never left Natalie’s lips even as the crowd murmured and gossiped about her. Her entire


    demeanor was calm as she gracefully epted the flute of champagne a waiter handed to her. Heading


    to a nearby long table, she took a sip of the beverage.


    Ever since she cut off all ties with the Smith family, she had rarely appeared at such formal events.


    Needless to say, she was a little ill at ease.


    Since there was still some time before the banquet started, Natalie stepped out of the banquet hall and


    into the corridor. She needed to get a breath of fresh air. Other than that, she would also use this


    opportunity to call her mother, who was overseas, and inquire about her well-being.


    “Natalie?”


    She was just about to open up her purse when a voice sounded from behind her.


    Her hand froze in the midst of reaching for her phone. Turning around, she looked in the direction where


    the voice hade from.


    To her surprise, the person standing on the other end of the corridor was none other than Jasmine.


    Natalie frowned at the sight of her half-sister. What a small city this is! I haven’t even been back here for


    two weeks, and I’ve run into her twice!


    Even after Jasmine had greeted her, she did not move from her spot, merely watching silently as her


    half-sister approached her.


    Jasmine hurried toward Natalie and stopped in front of her. For some reason, her voice was low and


    panicked as she hissed, “What are you doing here?”


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    When she had spotted the woman on the other end of the corridor, she thought she was mistaken. Now,


    there was no denying that it really was Natalie.


    “Clearly, I’m here to attend the banquet,” Natalie replied with a smile.


    “How is that possible? Where did you even get the invitation?” Jasmine cried out in disbelief.


    She was right to not believe her as this was not just any normal banquet. They were here in Moore


    Winery, one of J City’s top banquet venues.


    Thus, someone as “insignificant” and “lowly” as Natalie should not be here. In reality, there was no way


    she could get in if she were really of that status. But on the contrary, she was not.


    “You don’t have to concern yourself with that.” It was then Natalie noticed the expressions ying across


    Jasmine’s face. Other than visible surprise at seeing her there, Jasmine also looked afraid.


    She distinctly recalled these same emotions were there thest time they met as well.


    Is she scared of seeing me? Why?


    Confusion and suspicion swirled in Natalie as she wondered.


    Just then, Jasmine nced toward the banquet hall anxiously. Satisfied that no one was paying attention


    to them, she quickly seized Natalie’s wrist. “Get out of here, now! You shouldn’t be here. You don’t have


    the right to be at a ce like this!”


    As she said that, she tried to drag Natalie toward the front door.


    The reason why Jasmine behaved that way was that Natalie looked absolutely gorgeous tonight. From


    her stunning dress to her tastefully done makeup, she outshone every other woman present.


    Hence, if she appeared at the banquet, Shane would definitely be attracted to her.


    If that happened, all of Jasmine’s efforts in the past five years would be for naught. Her lies would be


    revealed!


    No… I can’t let this happen! I won’t let Shane see her!


    The more Jasmine thought about it, the more terrified she felt, and the more she was determined to let


    Natalie leave the ce.


    “I won’t leave.” Natalie suddenly wrenched her wrist out of Jasmine’s grasp. Her ruby red lips twitched


    into a smirk as she grabbed Jasmine’s wrist instead. With a hard tug, the other woman was dragged


    before her.