Chapter 5
All eyes turned to the staircase as Evelyn slowly descended from the second floor.
Her slender yet upright figure was wrapped in a black gown, her skin so fair it almost seemed to glow. Her features were cold and aloof, her expression unreadable.
She hadn't done anything, just walked down the stairs step by step, but there was an intimidating presence about her that made it impossible for anyone to look down on her.
The room fell silent.
Even those who had been waiting for her to embarrass herself were caught off guard.
Someone whispered, "Is that really the real daughter who was raised away from the family?
"Why does she seem even more like the real Miss Reed than Charlotte?"
Those words cut deep for Charlotte, like a slap in the face.
Her smile almost cracked, but she quickly forced it back and stepped forward, her eyes flashing with panic.
"Evelyn, why didn't you wear the dress I picked out for you?" Charlotte said loudly, making sure everyone around could hear.
Her voice carried, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
Evelyn stopped right in front of her, giving Charlotte a calm, detached look.
"I glanced at the dress you picked out." Evelyn said, her tone casual.
Charlotte forced a smile. "You didn't like it? If you didn't, you could've just told me. I only thought you might not have anything else to wear."
"The dress is nice." Evelyn interrupted, her voice flat. "But it doesn't suit me."
Charlotte felt a bit of relief, thinking she could finally smooth things over.
But before she could, Evelyn added slowly."After all, I'm not stupid enough jump into a trap dug for a bitch."
The air practically crackled after that line.
The rich girls' faces changed dramatically.
No one expected Evelyn to be so savage. She called Charlotte out right in front of everyone, tearing off the pretense.
Charlotte's face drained of color, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
"Evelyn, how could you think that about me? I really meant well." Charlotte said, her voice trembling as she tried to hold back her tears.
"Meant well?" Evelyn looked at her, an icy smile curling on her lips. "How about you put on that dress yourself and show everyone how 'kind-hearted' you really are?"
That one line left Charlotte with no room to argue.
Charlotte's lips were trembling. She was completely speechless.
People around her were already looking at her differently.
Just then, excited shrieks rang out from outside the banquet hall.
"Lucas!" The crowd at the entrance went wild.
Next, a tall guy wearing sunglasses made his entrance, surrounded by bodyguards.
He was rocking a black shirt, his messy hair giving him that rebellious edge. His aura was so strong, it almost stole the spotlight from the whole place.
It was Lucas, the Reed family's second son, and the hottest star in showbiz.
The whole place went wild. Everyone knew Lucas couldn't stand these parties. He wouldn't even show up for family stuff most of the time. But tonight, he actually showed up.
And as soon as he walked in, he didn't even glance at anyone else. He went straight for Evelyn.
"Make way," he drawled, lazily pushing through the crowd. He stopped right in front of Evelyn, gave her a slow once-over, and then flashed a playful grin.
"You're gorgeous." he said, his voice brimming with pride.
The whole place erupted in chaos.
He spun around, ripped off his sunglasses, and his voice was so bold it was almost swaggering.
He announced, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let me make this clear.
"This is my blood sister, Evelyn.
"Anyone who dares to mess with her is picking a fight with me."
With that one line, the whole banquet hall was stunned into absolute silence.
Charlotte's face went ghostly pale, and she actually swayed on her feet.
She never in a million years thought Lucas would publicly acknowledge Evelyn as his sister.
And he did it so high-profile, not holding back at all. But the real shocker was still on the way.
"By the way..." An icy, indifferent voice came from the back of the crowd.