"I heard those socialites calling that young woman Miss Lancaster. Lancaster... Don't tell me she's from the Lancaster family?"
“The Lancaster family? I've never heard anything about them having another daughter."
"Judging by the way old Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Lancaster, and Mrs. Lancaster are acting... it really seems like she's a relative of theirs..."
Innumerable probing glances converged on the Lancasters and Serena. Everyone was trying to guess the identity of this young woman, whose stunning beauty and exceptional piano skills were matched only by her close relationship with the Lancaster family.
Every word of their discussion and speculation, especially the mention of the Lancaster family, sent a jolt of terror through Isabella as she slowly crawled across the floor on her knees.
She clenched her fists tightly, her eyes bloodshot.
She was terrified that someone would dig deeper and, in the next moment, expose her as the fake heiress.
If that happened, she would be utterly doomed.
With reddened eyes, Isabella watched as the Lancasters all gathered around Serena, their faces filled with pride, showering her with praise for her piano mastery.
Their attention was focused solely on Serena.
They didn't even see...
Her. Forced to kneel in public, crawling her way out of the ballroom and across the estate, suffering the ultimate humiliation.
The shame and fear intertwined, pushing Isabella to the brink of a breakdown. Tears streamed down her face.
She was wearing a formal gown, and even with the thick carpet, her knees were scraped raw, leaving red marks.
But the pain in her knees was nothing compared to the agony in her heart.
***
Meanwhile, Riley had finally pushed
through the crowd to the front. Seeing that his goddess had finished her performance, he was overcome with an upbearable excitement.
He was about to rush forward to express his overwhelming admiration when a stern, deep voice called out, "Riley."
Riley jolted, immediately standing ramrod straight and executing a perfect about- face. "Grandfather!"
His voice was loud and powerful, as if he were back in military training.
Riley feared no one in the world except his grandfather and his older cousin.
Seeing Old Mr. Blackwood's serious expression, he reluctantly shuffled over.
Leaning on his cane, Old Mr. Blackwood scowled at his most irreverent grandson. "This is your sister's coming-of-age party. Try to behave yourself for once. Can you act like a real brother? Don't be like your unreliable sister, always causing trouble. You will stay here quietly until the party is over."
Now that his goddess was at this party, staying until the end was no problem at all.
Riley's eyes were glued to Serena as he distractedly mumbled, “Mhm, mhm.”
Seeing his behavior, Old Mr. Blackwood grew angry and jabbed the air at him with his cane. "Straighten up! How old are you? Still acting so improperly!"
Riley's eyes widened. "I'm only twenty! I'm still young! I can still have fun!"
"Twenty, my foot!" Old Mr.
Blackwood raised his cane again.
"Look at
your
cousin Nicholas! At
1.n
twenty, he was already running. everything and had taken over all of the Blackwood family's affairs! And you? All you do is race cars, hang out at bars, and play video games with that good-for-nothing group of friends! What else are you good for?"
Riley pouted. "Nicholas is a freak of nature. How can I compare myself to a freak? I'm a normal person..."
"Normal, my foot!" Old Mr. Blackwood thumped his cane on the floor. "If you ask me, we need to find you a wife to straighten you out!"