The Rebirth of a Scorned Heiress

As the banquet continued, Lily was left to mingle with others all by herself while Mark and Chairman Watson entertained the guests.

Occasionally, Mark would stop by to make sure she was alright while using the opportunity to dispel any rumours about him not liking his date.

Even while he was across the room, his eyes somehow always found their way to her, making all the gossipy young ladies around swoon with excitement.

Lily, on the other hand, made sure to enjoy the banquet while making connections with the wealthy housewives in attendance. She promoted her fashion business shamelessly and even got business proposals from two of the attendees.

The woman standing by the corner seethed, her anger barely contained, as she watched Lily charm everyone she spoke to. Unable to tolerate it any longer, she finally decided to approach Lily.

Mustering a fake smile, she gracefully made her way through the crowd, her eyes never leaving Lily. Upon reaching her, Rose feigned surprise and delight.

“Oh, you must be Lily Turner!” she exclaimed, extending her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you tonight. I’m Rose Anderson.”

Lily, unaware of Rose’s true intentions, smiled warmly and shook her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Rose.”

“The pleasure is all mine, I must say. You are trying really hard to fit into the setting here, aren’t you?” Rose giggled, her voice set in a passive, aggressive tone while keeping eye contact with Lily. “Aren’t you tired?”

Sensing the underlying hostility in Rose’s words, Lily maintained her composure and replied with a gentle smile. “Adapting to new environments is part of personal growth, isn’t it? As for being tired, I must admit that social events can be quite energising when you’re surrounded by fascinating individuals.”

Rose’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in Lily’s response. She scoffed and blew away the imaginary dust on her manicured fingers before giving Lily a pitiful look. “You won’t feel it much after all; it’s not your first time sucking up to the rich to get what you want.”

Lily’s face twitched in annoyance, but she maintained her composure. “In a way, we are all the same, aren’t we? We’ve got to suck up to someone, at least. Let me ask: who do you suck up to? Or should I say, who do you wish to suck up to?” She questioned.

Her grin widens as she notices the annoyed look in Rose’s eyes, letting out a chuckle. Lily picked up a flute of champagne from the passing waiter and took a sip. “Seeing how you were aggressive with me on our first meeting, I’ll assume you want my man; too bad he is off the chart.”

Rose’s face paled at Lily’s blunt accusation. Her eyes darted around nervously as she quickly tried to regain her composure. “I don’t know what you’re implying,” she retorted, her voice shaking slightly. “Mark and I have known each other for years. We have a long-standing friendship, and I’m merely looking out for his best interests.”

Lily raised an eyebrow in amusement, seriously enjoying how fluttered she was making the other lady. “Is that so?” she asked. “Your possessiveness over someone who’s only a friend seems rather peculiar. But if it’s merely friendship that binds you, then I’m sure you’ll have no issue with Mark and I enjoying the rest of the evening together.”

As Lily stepped forward, she was pulled back by a mean Rose, who glared at her with eyes full of hatred and disgust. “What do you want in exchange for leaving him alone?” She demanded.

Lily let out a small laugh, her eyes twinkling in excitement. “And who are you to be making such demands? His mother? Sister? Wife?” She sneered and shoved Rose’s hands away.

With a shake of her head, she continued. “I don’t care who you are or what you are to him,” she breathed out as she got close to Rose’s face. “Mark is mine, and you won’t be coming in between us,” she declared, and she walked away, joining Mark for a dance as the song came up.

Rose clenched her fist; her breaths came out shortly as she watched the couple glide around on the dance floor. Several scheming gears turned in her head as she plotted ways to permanently separate the unsuspecting couple that were laughing and conversing while they danced.

“You look ugly when you have that calculating gaze in your eyes,” Frederick mumbled with a smile as he stood beside her.

Getting her attention, he raised his cup of champagne and smiled brightly at her. “Weren’t you supposed to be here by month’s end? You are two weeks early,” he pointed out, and she scoffed.

“If I’m two weeks late, then I’ll be presented with an invitation to his wedding,” she replied.

“Maybe not,” Frederick shrugged nonchalantly.

“What do you mean?” Rose asked with a frown.

“They just met; how in the world will they be getting married that early? At least not while Mark still hadn’t dealt with the engagement with you,” Frederick stated.

“But we aren’t officially engaged,” she corrected.

“To the public, you two aren’t. But both families knew you two would be getting married, didn’t they?” Frederick pressed on while keeping his eyes on the dance floor, where Mark and Lily were having the time of the night.

“It does not change the fact that we are nothing but childhood friends. Mark has always been against the engagement. I’m only back to make him change his mind,” Rose breathed out.

“You are the lady; can’t you use all this against him and get what you want?” Frederick tutted. “You’ve got a large fan base; you have those things they call the internet army; just one word from you will have them marching. Use the power you have to secure your man.”

“Then what do you get?” Rose asked suspiciously. “You don’t think I don’t know the rivalry between you two, do you?”

Frederick smirked and turned to her. “I get to watch him cross between the woman he truly likes and the woman who is forcing her way into his life.” He chuckled.

“He’ll do anything for the sake of the group, so even if I lose to him, I’ll be happy to see him in pain for losing his love and forever getting tied to a woman he’d detest for the rest of his life. Sick but fun,” he laughed and walked away.