"Nicholas isn't that committed. Why would you think you don't have a chance?"
Listening to Karen's words, Isabella's eyes began to...
Brighten.
She was just about to speak.
Suddenly, she heard excited voices nearby.
"Oh my, isn't it Miss Lancaster and Miss Blackwood?"
Patrick and Marianne pushed their way through, their faces plastered with sycophantic smiles. "Hello, hello, we're Hailey's parents. We are so grateful for your kindness, for taking our humble daughter under your wing..."
Patrick rubbed his hands together, pulling out his business card. "I'm Patrick from the Wynn Group. I'm Hailey's father."
Marianne's eyes were full of blatant pride as she beamed. “Miss Blackwood, Miss Lancaster, our Hailey has a wonderful personality, so easy to get along with. You should invite her to all your events from now on."
The two of them chattered on, completely oblivious to the increasingly cold and unpleasant expressions on Karen and Isabella's faces.
They even frowned with a hint of disgust.
Hailey was mortified and embarrassed by her parents' sudden behavior.
A few socialites nearby were already covering their mouths to giggle, looking at her as if she were a clown.
Her cheeks burned.
It was even more humiliating than the slap Serena had given her earlier.
Hailey quickly reached out to pull Marianne back. “Mom, this is the Blackwood family's ball!"
Couldn't they be more aware of the situation?
But as soon as she reached out her hand, Marianne thrust a cheaply packaged gift box into it. "Hailey, don't forget our goal! Go and give your gift to Miss Blackwood. And remember! You must show off the gift from all angles, make sure all the important guests in the front row get a good, clear look!”
"Mom..." Hailey tugged at Marianne's hand.
Marianne lowered her voice, urging her on. “Opportunity waits for no one! Even if we can't snag Mr. Blackwood now that he's taken, he's not the only man in the
Blackwood family!"
"I just
master from the second branch of
fecome digging. The young
y is here tonight. He'slanout
your age, an easier target!" swnövels
Hailey's pushing motion faltered slightly.
Her mind started racing.
The second branch...
That wasn't a bad idea.
As long as she could marry into the Blackwood family, even a cadet branch would
be enough for her to rule the roost in Vaelion City.
If she could get her hands on the young Mr. Blackwood from the second branch... Hailey's hand tightened around the gift box.
She steeled herself and, pretending to be pushed by Marianne, stumbled onto the main stage.
The moment she stood on that stage, the spotlight hit her.
Hailey felt like she was standing in the light.
The gazes of hundreds of people below were all focused on her.
This was the life she had always chased, everything she had ever wanted.
Yes!
This was how it should be!
The eyes of these top-tier elites were all on her.
These powerful people should be falling at her feet!
Just as Hailey, her breath coming in short,
theagasps, was fast
, she heard a low w
of muffled laughter from below.
Hailey instinctively tugged at her gown and nervously turned her head to the side, trying to hide the half of
face that was i
ked and swol
her from Serena's slap.
The snickering from below grew louder.
Hailey had no idea what she had done wrong, or what was so funny.