Chapter 5
On stage, Lily removed the lid from the teacup.
"This Spring Mountain White Tea was re-roasted following Grandma Grace's classic technique. Please, esteemed guests, let me know what you think," she said.
The first veteran tea merchant took a sip and frowned.
The second one set his cup down without saying a word.
Lily shot Charles a desperate look, silently begging for help.
Charles stepped up onto the stage and took the mic.
"Lily had a fever last night, but she still insisted on preparing for the tea party. That kind of dedication is even more valuable than perfecting the technique," he said.
The audience quickly voiced their support.
"Ms. Wynn's devotion to her family is truly admirable," someone remarked.
"It's not easy for someone so young to host their first tea party—it takes real courage," another person added.
My mother turned around and shot me a glare.
"See that? Lily is bringing honor to the Wynn Family. Don't go up there and embarrass us," she snapped.
I stayed put.
Lily grabbed the second cup of tea.
"Summer's here too. She actually wanted to try this tea herself yesterday, but she's expecting, so I didn't want her anywhere near the fire," Lily said.
All eyes turned to me.
Someone whispered, "Is that the real daughter the Wynn family brought back?"
"The one who got divorced?" another person asked.
"I heard she's pregnant and trying to get back together with her ex," someone else added.
Lily bit her lip.
"Summer, don't be mad at me for stepping in. I just wanted to help Rainleaf Tea House stay afloat," she said.
I walked up to the stage.
Charles stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
He shot me a warning look. "Step down."
I gave him a cool smile. "She says she's helping me—shouldn't I thank her?"
Lily offered me the cup, her hand steady.
"Go ahead, Summer. Try it. If you don't like it, I'll change the recipe," Lily said.
I accepted the cup, but held it without taking a sip.
"Spring Mountain White Tea can't be rushed with fresh charcoal. You tried to squeeze three days of roasting into just one night for tonight's tea party, and now the tea has a harsh, dry taste," I said.
The audience fell silent.
Lily's expression froze.
"Summer, don't speak out of turn if you don't really understand," Lily shot back.
I handed the cup to the first veteran tea merchant.
"You kept quiet earlier out of respect for the Rivers family. But this tea is bitter, the aftertaste is flat and empty, and there's a smoky, ashy taste lingering at the bottom.
"If we try to sell this, it'll just tarnish Rainleaf Tea House's name," I said.
The veteran tea merchant held the cup lid for a long moment before finally letting out a sigh.
"She might be blunt, but she's got a point," he said.
Tears welled up in Lily's eyes and spilled over in an instant.
"I've done everything I could. Summer, why do you always have to make me look bad in front of everyone?" Lily choked out.
My mother shot to her feet.
"Summer, get down here!" she snapped.
Charles took the cup from my hand.
"Enough. Lily's been working all day, and you walk in just to pick faults. If you're such an expert, why didn't you help her earlier?" he snapped.
I looked at him.
"She stole my tea, used my seal, and passed herself off as me. And you still ask why I didn't help her?" I shot back.
Lily shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
"I didn't steal anything, okay? Mom gave me the seal, and the tea was from our own family's storage," she choked out.
My father stepped onto the stage, his expression thunderous.
"Summer, apologize to Lily," he said coldly.
I shot back, "Why should I?"
"Because she's the one who kept the tea party from falling apart for you, and right now, you're still relying on the Wynn and Rivers families to support you," he said sharply.
Someone in the audience let out a low chuckle.
Charles grabbed my wrist.
"Apologize. Once tonight's over, I'll give you back the seal," he said.
I looked down at his hand.
"Let go," I said.
He didn't let go.
Simone pushed her way through the crowd and jumped onto the stage, holding up a ledger.
"Before you make her apologize, maybe you should ask Lily about these eighteen questionable transactions," she said.
Lily lunged forward, trying to snatch the ledger from Simone.
Joe stepped in and blocked her way.
Two staff members suddenly walked in through the entrance.
"Who's Lily Wynn here? Someone reported that the Spring Mountain White Tea served tonight has a suspicious source. Please cooperate with our investigation," one of them announced.
Lily shrank behind Charles, trying to use him as a shield.
Charles turned to me.
"Did you call this in?" he asked.
I didn't deny it.
My father lifted his hand to strike me.
Joe stepped in front, blocking the blow.
The slap smacked against Joe's shoulder instead.
A gasp rippled through the audience.
My father jabbed a finger at me, his voice shaking with rage.
"You disgrace! Are you hell-bent on destroying the Wynn family?" he shouted.
I shot back, "If the Wynn family is trying to earn honor with stolen tea, whether it falls or not is their own problem—not mine."
My mother hugged Lily tightly, crying like I'd stabbed her right in the heart.
"Lily was just trying to help you. Why are you being so cruel?" my mother sobbed.
Charles wrapped Lily in his arms, shielding her protectively.
"Summer, after tonight, I'm going to reconsider whether you're fit to raise our child," he said, his voice cold as ice.
I looked up at him.
"The baby is inside me," I said.
"With the way you're acting, you're not fit to be a mother," Charles said, his voice icy.
Lily's sobs quieted instantly as he said that.
She thought she'd won.
At least, that was what she believed.
The tea party ended on a sour note.