“Then, what is it?” Emmeline eyed the invitation in Alondra’s hand as she spoke.

“It’s my niece, Alana’s birthday party today,” Alondra explained. “As you know, the Lanes always put on a grand party, and how could we not extend an invitation to you?”

“Oh, is that so?” Emmeline asked rhetorically, figuring there was no way Alana had invited her out of the kindness of her heart.

In fact, she was not far from the truth. Alana was frantic knowing that Adrien was about to propose to Emmeline anytime soon. If Emmeline married Adrien, the real identities of her three children would be exposed sooner or later and Alana would find herself in trouble. Secondly, she had been going after Adrien for more than four years to no avail. If Emmeline won his favor the moment she appeared, she would be utterly humiliated, becoming the laughingstock of the upper echelons of Struyria.

No, Alana could never let that happen! She had something planned out just for Emmeline during her birthday party that would teach Emmeline where she stood. Once everything had been laid out, Alana had asked her Aunt Alondra to deliver the invitation to Emmeline.

“It’s my absolute pleasure!” Emmeline finally put on a smile and replied to Alondra earnestly.

“Wonderful! I’ll see you tonight at eight then, goodbye!” Alondra trilled before she left the premises.

“Emma!” a familiar voice called out. Emmeline peered outside the gate to find her brother, Ethan and sister-in-law, Grace waiting. She quickly invited them into the house and brewed them a cup of coffee.

“Is there some kind of good news?” Emmeline asked curiously, noticing the couple looked particularly cheery today as she observed them.

“Well…” Ethan began a little bashfully. “Since the last time we met, I took on a huge job that gave me a clean profit of more than half a million, and I’ve also recently started a small business. It’s nothing too fancy, but it pays well. I’ve done the calculations and if everything goes well, I’ll earn $100,000!”

“That’s wonderful news, Ethan!” Emmeline flashed a joyful smile as she served her brother coffee.

“Someone even asked me for an interview last time and paid me good money for it,” Grace butted in. “The director even gave me a segment of my own. Oh, I was the talk of the town!”

“What about the interview this time?” Emmeline asked.

“This time, it’s an interview with a big Struyrian media company. They asked me to do a live interview segment, and they pay quite handsomely too!” Grace said proudly.

“Oh, I’m so happy for the both of you! How should we celebrate?” Emmeline asked.

Ethan let out a wistful sigh. “All these years, I’ve always lived in fear of Alondra. As your older brother, not only did I not protect you, I made you worry about me all the time. It’s always been a big regret of mine.”

“That’s right, Em,” Grace continued. “Your brother and I could only help so much. We could not fully take care of you and your three children as well as we should. The only thing we could do was earn more money to help you.”

Emmeline’s eyes welled up with tears as she listened to her brother and sister-in-law.

“Silly girl, don’t cry now,” Ethan consoled his sister. “We’re siblings after all,” he could not stand to watch his sister cry.

“I know, I know,” Emmeline sniffled. “I won’t say anything more, or all my tears would go into the coffee!”

Once Ethan and Grace left, Emmeline quickly shopped online for a wine-red mermaid cut evening gown for the party later that night. She paid a grand total of 99 dollars inclusive of shipping, which was a great deal in her books! She refused to spend a penny more on someone like Alana anyway. If anything, Alana should be grateful that she decided to attend her party.

Emmeline showed up at the Lane family villa at eight sharp that night. It was a big party, and the family had invited hundreds of guests who filled up every corner of the extravagant residence. Everyone was eagerly awaiting Abel and Adrien Ryker’s arrival, together with their mothers, Rosaline Turner and Julianna Campbell, but there was no sign of them just yet.

Alana could not help but notice Emmeline as she walked in, lighting up the hall with her presence. The woman was truly beautiful, with a captivating quality she could not quite explain with words alone. Her porcelain skin glowed under the dim warm lighting, making it difficult for the men around to keep their eyes off her.

Oh, how Alana wished she could give that face a tight slap! However, she knew that was not a smart move right now. As she observed Emmeline for a little while longer, she finally discovered something she could use against her.