Chapter 38
When the rar reted in a stop. Beeplante finally tired where bastion had toh her ban
And not just any banquet. She ringnized this pis**
This place belonged to the Hodge family. One of the most influential fandies in Long Harbor
If she remembered correctly, this year marked Mr. Benjamin Hodge’s Roth Birthday Art patging by the lavish setup, they’d definitely gone all ou
Mr. Giovanni, Mr. Hodge is waiting for you inside, Elliot opened the car door and remindest
Sebastian nodded, then turned to Stephanie. “You hungry?”
Stephanie glanced at the time her phone. “Yeah. A little?
She was the type to eat on schedule, and right now, it was definitely mealtime.
“Alright,” Sebastian’s voice was calm. “Go in and grab something to eat. I’ll be about half an hour meeting with Mr. Horize”
So this wasn’t just about attending a banquet–he was here for business? Stephanie raised her eyebrow
She eyed the crowd flowing into the venue–men in tailored suits, women in dazzling evening gowns.
Then she looked down at her own outfit. A loose, casual blazer and sneakers. “You sure I should just walk in like this?” she asked.
Sebastian casually shrugged. “Is there a problem?”
“Isn’t there?” Stephanie was still hesitated.
Elliot chimed in, deadpan. “No problem.”
Stephanie sighed. If they said so, then she would just follow.
Sebastian turned to Macro, who was sitting in the front seat, still engrossed in his game. “Go with her, he commanded.
Macro barely looked up. “You really that hungry?”
Stéphanie nodded. “The Hodge family’s chef is amazing.”
Macro chuckled, “Seriously?”
He knew Stephanie had been eaten the best food all over Fiorenza, and she was hyped over the Hodge family’s banquet
menu?
Sebastian shot Macro a look. Macro sighed, locking his phone.
“Alright, alright,” he turned to Sebastian. “Your sister is my sister. I won’t let her go hungry. Now go handle your business.”
Sebastian’s expression turned cold. “Stefi’s my sister, not yours.”
Macro’s mouth twitched. “Fine, I won’t let your sister go hungry. Happy?”
Seeing Sebastian walked off, Macro finally turned to Stephanie. “Alright, let’s go. I’ll take you to get some food.”
Stephanie followed him inside, totally out of place among the extravagantly dressed guests.
1/3
Chapter 38
But Macro, unbothered, led her straight to the desert talde
You can eat here. I need to finish this match” said Macro
He was sure the dessert spread was massive –enough to keep Stephanie orrupted, to four found a seat bearing, padling phone
Stephanie was genuinely hungry. She grabbed a mall cake, took a bite–And right on cor a familiar voice called ou
“Stefi
It was Ella. She looked up, meeting her gaze,
Ella was draped in a black, low–cut gown, shimmering under the lights. Meanwhile, Stephanie londont like she’d just wandered in from a coffee shop.
“Who’d you come with? Did Chris bring you here? And… why are you dressed like that? Ella questioned, her eyes fickend over her outfit.
Ella figured this was Chris‘ way of handling the media circus surrounding their called–off engagement
She thought it was reasonable. It was no secret that the Ashford family was under fire, and by now, Olivia was probably taking most of the heat.
Stephanie swallowed her cake. Before she could respond, a sharp, mocking voice cut through the air.
“Well, well, look who it is. Thought you’d be hiding under a rock after Mr. Ashford dumped you.”
Stephanie and Ella turned to see Lilian approaching, flanked by two unfamiliar girls.
Ella’s face instantly darkened. She knew Lilian had always been close to Olivia, and Lilian was also interested in Tyler
Ever since Olivia left, Lilian had taken every chance to make things difficult for Stephanie. And yet, Lilian always lost.
“How’d you even get in?” Lilian approached Stephanie and sneered. “Got an invite?”
Ella pulled Stephanie behind her. “Since when do you call the shots around here?”
Lilian let out a fake laugh. “Maybe not, but I do know she wasn’t invited.”
She wasn’t wrong. The guest list had been carefully curated, and Lilian had personally made sure Stephanie’s name wasn’t
on it.
“No invite, huh? You just snuck in for free food?” Lilian scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain.
“And what are you wearing? Did the engagement cancellation leave you so broke you can’t even afford a dress?*
The nearby guests, mostly young elites, turned to watch the scene unfold, clearly entertained.
Ella clenched her fists. She shot a pointed glance at Lilian’s aggressively tight dress, which looked like it was one deep breath away from a wardrobe malfunction.
“What she wears is none of your business,” Ella shot back. “Maybe worry about your own outfit first.”
Lilian’s smile froze. “Stay out of this, Ella. This is my house, my grandfather’s birthday. If you wanna side with Stephanie, then you can leave too.”
Stephanie calmly set down her dessert plate. Then she met Lilian’s gaze. “You sure about that?”
2/3
09.28 IVON, 3 Mar
Chapter 38
Lilian scoffed. “What, you threatening me now? Sorry, but the Hodge family doesn’t invite people like you.”
She had heard all about how Stephanie had stopped Dr. Pierce from treating Olivia’s illness, and she found Stephanie disgusted. The mere sight of Stephanie was irritating.
Stephanie let out a slow, amused smile. “You’re right. I wasn’t invited. But how did I get in?”
A murmur ran through the crowd. The Hodge family’s security was strict tonight. No invite, no entry–unless you were very important.
Everyone was curious how Stephanie got in.
Lilian smirked. “Ella probably snuck you in, huh? Either way, get out.”
“What’s going on here?” A deep voice rang out.
The crowd turned to see Tyler approaching, and Chris was beside him.
The two of them together were an instant attention magnet, their cold, imposing presence pulling the gazes of nearly every socialite in the room.
Lilian immediately switched gears, stepping toward Tyler. “Tyler, why is Stephanie here?”
She didn’t bother hiding her reaction when mentioning Stephanie.
Tyler turned his gaze to Stephanie. His expression darkened when he saw her outfit.
Chris‘ gaze landed on her too. Just one glance, and he looked away, his jaw tightening.
He was still mad about the conflict back at Cloudridge Valley.
“How did you get in? And why are you dressed like that?” Tyler stepped closer towards Stephanie, lowering his voice.
Stephanie raised a brow. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
Tyler exhaled sharply. “You tell me.”
Standing next to him, in this setting, Stephanie suddenly looked like the rebellious, reckless girl he had thought she’d grown out of.
Clearly, some habits died hard.
弓
AD
Comment
