Xavier's voice was cold-so cold it cut through the air like ice.

A madwoman?

Did he really just call her a madwoman?

Katrina felt her heart grow numb, the ache spreading slowly until it touched every corner of her being.

The man standing before her was a stranger-so unfamiliar, it was terrifying.

She had dragged herself all the way to the Richards Family estate, holding herself together by sheer willpower. But now, facing this version of Xavier, she was like a deflated balloon. The two bodyguards flanking the entryway seized her by the arms, dragging her out and tossing her onto the curb. For a long moment, Katrina couldn't even gather the strength to stand.

The Richardses were one of the most prominent families in Neon Spire, perched at the very top of the city's social ladder. It wasn't unusual for desperate women to show up at their door, hoping to latch onto their prestige.

So no one paid any attention to the scene. Not a single person spared Katrina so much as a glance as she lay there, as insignificant as a speck of dust.

She couldn't even remember how she made it back to her hotel.

Now, with the Prescott family teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, all her bank accounts had been frozen. The only way she could scrape together money for her hospital treatments was by pawning her jewelry and designer handbags.

As for Silverhaven, how could she possibly show her face there again?

Before coming to Neon Spire, she'd made bold promises said that if she ever returned to Silverhaven, it would be as the future daughter-in-law of the Richards Family.

And now?

She hadn't even won the Richardses' approval, and the Prescott Group was collapsing under the weight of her choices. Even if she dared go back, her father would never forgive her.

After leaving the pawnshop, Katrina headed straight to the hospital.

She sat across from the doctor, her eyes dull and spiritless, listening to his diagnosis. "Ms. Prescott, I'm not trying to scare you, but your condition is very serious. Your liver function is at risk, and you'll need to rely on hormone therapy just to maintain your vital signs from now on."

Regret washed over her.

For the first time-truly-Katrina felt remorse.

She suddenly remembered something Caitlin had said:

You can't keep the truth buried forever.

If she'd known it would come to this, she never would have taken that first step.

Meanwhile, at the Richards estate, Hannah's birthday banquet had just begun. Guests were still trickling in, and Hannah stood at the entrance with her eight sons and their wives, personally greeting each arrival.

Caitlin, dressed in the exquisite Celestial Azure gown, stood in the center of the group, basking in the glow of attention.

The thirteen grandchildren of the Richards family were already inside, mingling with the early guests in the ballroom.

The birthday banquet wasn't being held at a hotel-the Richards estate boasted its own grand ballroom, covering over 20,000 square feet and dripping with luxury.

Celestial Azure was, as the name suggested, a gown of shimmering pale blue. Its off-the-shoulder design showcased Caitlin's elegant collarbones and graceful swan neck, while the neckline sparkled with rows of natural diamonds.

The dress dazzled under the lights-a showstopper by any measure. Yet, rather than outshining Caitlin, it only served to accentuate her beauty. Tall and poised, with a figure that drew every eye she stood out in the crowd like a rare swan among common birds.

Whispers fluttered through the ballroom:

"Did you see Miss Gonzales's dress? That's Celestial Azure! It's a limited edition-there's only one in the world, and it cost over ten million, The Richards family must really dote on her she's just a granddaughter, and yet they let her wear elestial Azure. I doubt even their own granddaughters get that kind of treatment!"

Celestial Azure wasn't something you could buy with money alone; it took power and influence.

On Caitlin, it wasn't just a beautiful, extravagant dress-it was a symbol of status. "The Richardses only had one daughter in Carey Richards's generation, and now there's just one granddaughter, Freya. If she isn't the favorite, who is?"

"And she's not just lucky-she's absolutely beautiful. The daughter of Neon Spire's most stunning woman and the Capital's most brilliant son."

"I envy Miss Gonzales—she has both the Gonzales and Richards families wrapped around her finger."

"And did you hear? Miss Palmer, a noble from Valerium, is supposed to be here tonight. I wonder who's more stunning-Miss Palmer or Miss Gonzales."

"My money's on Miss Gonzales."

"I'm not so sure. She is gorgeous, but Europeans have those striking features, and Miss Palmer is famous in Valerium for her beauty. Rumor has it her suitors could join hands and circle all of Lexington several times over."