Chapter 1149:

Forcing herself to keep up appearances, Elyse buried her disgust and plastered on a saccharine smile.

Back when the Harper family had left her stranded in Yoswye, she had nothing and refused to stoop to degrading work. Instead, she clung to the men who could offer her a way out. One after another, she climbed the social ladder—never looking back. Now, her latest conquest was a baron. Nothing about Lord Rosethorne’s appearance attracted her. His money and influence, however, opened every door. Thanks to him, she wore jewels, dined among the powerful, and basked in luxury.

Tonight, the palace was hosting royalty. She knew if she managed to charm a prince, she might just upgrade her life again. Surviving all that Yoswye had thrown at her had taught her one lesson above all: she’d never go back to poverty. With her designer dress hugging every curve and diamonds sparkling at her throat, Elyse glided through the ballroom as if she’d been born to it. But then she froze mid-step, eyes burning with pure loathing. That wretch Elena was here too?

Elena’s presence shattered Elyse’s composure; her glare turned openly hostile as she forgot her practiced mask.

From beside Elyse, Lord Rosethorne frowned. “Sweetheart, is something wrong?”

Snapping back into her role at the sound of his voice, Elyse buried the fury and replaced it with a sugary grin.

Her act worked. Lord Rosethorne beamed, utterly smitten with the young woman he believed was both innocent and untamed. Curiosity edged his voice as he leaned in. “What caught your eye just now?”

For maximum effect, Elyse put on her sweetest face. “I just saw my cousin, the one who grew up in the sticks. She envied everything I had and did everything she could to ruin me.”

At once, Lord Rosethorne’s expression turned grim. “Anyone who crosses my woman won’t get away with it. Where is this troublemaker?”

Gleaming with spite, Elyse lowered her lashes and pretended to tremble, pointing straight at Elena. “Over there. That’s the one.”

No sooner had Lord Rosethorne’s gaze found Elena than his entire demeanor changed. Desire sparked instantly. What a stunner.

Elyse caught his reaction. Bitterness churned in her gut, making her hate Elena even more. With her jaw clenched, she dug her nails into her palm. Tearing Elena apart was all she wanted in that moment. Why couldn’t Elena just stay in Klathe? Since Elena had come all this way, fine—she would deal with her.

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣? 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙩 𝖌ⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀．𝖼𝗈𝗺

Pulling on Lord Rosethorne’s sleeve for reassurance, Elyse gave him a look. “You really are on my side, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely,” Lord Rosethorne said, not missing a beat.

Off Lord Rosethorne went, closing the distance to Elena, each step leaving him more dazzled. The closer he drew, the more Elena’s beauty hit him. Every curve, every glance—she had an air of mystery that Elyse could never hope to match. Lord Rosethorne swallowed his desire and asked, “Are you the one who hurt my woman?”

Elena didn’t bother to respond. Instead, she coolly glanced at Elyse, full of disdain. Elyse had sunk this low—clinging to a man old enough to be her father.

Elyse caught the look and seethed. To see Elena look at her that way—so dismissive—felt like a slap. This wasn’t Klathe. The Harper family’s name didn’t carry any weight in Yoswye. All it would take was a single whisper to Lord Rosethorne, and she could have Elena crushed in seconds.

Clearly irritated at being ignored, Lord Rosethorne let his temper show. Leveling a hard stare, he spoke in a tone that threatened violence. “Do you know that being so arrogantly disrespectful will land you in trouble?”

Unruffled, Elena replied with a flat, “No, I don’t.”

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