Chapter 59 Lilian Is Stunning
The moment Lilian crossed the threshold of the venue, a cacophony of laughter and whispered gossip enveloped her.
Wendy, too, was privy to the chatter. With a smile gracing her lips, she made her way towards Lilian, gently taking her arm.
"My dear sister, what brings you here? Though, I must admit, I'm rather pleased to see you," she said.
The crowd had been drawn to the unfolding scene, and upon hearing Wendy's words, their disdain for Lilian only intensified.
So, she had come uninvited. How audacious.
Grace, having caught sight of the spectacle, was preparing to intervene when a new commotion erupted at the entrance.
"Look, it's Mr. Fu! He's here as well. The rumors about him and Miss Sivan must be true!"
"He's so handsome, and his aura is so commanding. He's truly a match for Miss Sivan!"
The gossiping resumed, buzzing like a hive of bees.
The Sivan House and the Frane family belonged to different social echelons, and the chasm between them was vast. Lilian's secret marriage to Jackson was a mystery to most, leaving them unaware that she was now Mrs. Fu.
Upon hearing the harsh whispers, Lilian turned her gaze towards the entrance. A tall, imposing figure, clad in a well-tailored dark gray suit, was striding towards them. Wendy released Lilian's arm and greeted him enthusiastically, holding her skirt.
"Jackson, you've finally arrived. We've all been eagerly awaiting you."
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated Wendy and the man before her. As the music began to play, Wendy extended her hand, bending her knees in a playful invitation to dance.
"Mr. Frane, may I have this dance?"
Cheers echoed throughout the room. Lilian was jostled aside, stumbling into a table and wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and when she looked up again, she saw couples swirling elegantly on the dance floor. Her vision blurred, a sensation she attributed to the pain in her waist.
Turning on her heel, she made her way through the crowd and sought refuge in the restroom, her steps hurried.
However, she hadn't anticipated that even there, she wouldn't be left in peace.
Grace followed her, her brow furrowed in displeasure. "Lilian! Who gave you the audacity to show up here, looking like this? Are you trying to upstage someone, humiliate someone? You have no business being here, so leave!"
"I was invited, and Peggy gave me this gown. She said that if Grandma were still alive, she would have wanted me to come...," Lilian began, but Grace cut her off.
"What Grandma? That's Wendy's grandmother, not yours! Peggy moved to a nursing home last month, and you're just spouting lies! After all these years, can't you stop coveting what belongs to Wendy?"
Lilian pressed her lips together, the realization dawning on her that Wendy was the puppet master behind this charade.
If Peggy hadn't invoked Mrs. Sivan senior, exploiting Lilian's vulnerability, she wouldn't have attended.
"I have no desire to take her things! But since I'm here, when I leave is my decision. My husband is still outside. If Mrs. Walker doesn't want me to storm out and leave with my husband, causing a scene, she'd better not push me."
If Lilian were to reveal her relationship with Jackson now, Wendy would be the object of ridicule.
Grace's expression soured as she weighed the situation, her attitude softening slightly.
"For the sake of the Sivan House, which took you in for six years, don't stir up trouble today. Consider it a plea from your aunt-in-law."
Lilian remained silent as Grace turned on her heel and left in a hurry.
With a chuckle, Lilian retreated into a cubicle.
When she returned to the main hall, the lights were back on.
The entire Wendy family was present, including Jackson, presenting the image of a harmonious family.
Many in attendance had already accepted Jackson as the future son-in-law of the Sivan House.
"Jackson, I'm a bit weary from dancing. Would you escort me upstairs to rest?" Wendy asked, looking up at the man beside her.
He was tall, handsome, and charismatic, his presence by her side inciting envy among the crowd.
Wendy felt like the happiest princess that night.
Unbeknownst to herself, Wendy's hand drifted towards Jackson's arm. However, he pivoted away, reaching instead for a flute of champagne from a passing waiter's tray.
Her gesture met only air, leaving Wendy with a sense of disappointment. As she turned her head, she was taken aback by the sight of Lilian.
Wendy's eyes narrowed, her fingernails unconsciously digging into her palm. She had assumed that Lilian, having witnessed her dance with Jackson, would have left in sorrow.
Yet, Lilian was still there. Not only was she present, but she had also...
Lilian had stripped the lace from the collar and hem of her antiquated lotus leaf collar gown.
Now, she donned a high-necked dress that accentuated her elegant neckline. The dress ended at her knees, its asymmetrical hem revealing her strikingly long legs.
She moved with a grace that suggested a metamorphosis.
Her radiant beauty seemed to part the crowd, her presence filling the room until the atmosphere hushed. All eyes were drawn to her, magnetized by her allure.
A surge of fury washed over Wendy, causing her to quickly turn her gaze to the man beside her. Upon noticing Jackson's unwavering attention on Lilian, Wendy bit her lip in vexation.
Lilian!
Damn Lilian!
Regret gnawed at Wendy. She should never have invited Lilian.
But Lilian was already approaching her.
Jackson's eyes raked over Lilian's revealing dress, a frown creasing his forehead. "Why are you here?"
He hadn't known she would be attending tonight.
Lilian, however, sensed Jackson's irritation at her presence at Wendy's party. Her heart ached, but she managed to smile.
"Don't worry, I know I'm not welcome here, and I won't stay long. I'll just give you a gift and leave."
Turning to Wendy, Lilian said, "Wendy, this is the gift I brought for your return. I hope you like it."
Lilian towered over Wendy, who was already shorter than her even without the added height of pregnancy and flat shoes. This made Wendy's legs appear shorter and her proportions less ideal.
Even in flats, Lilian's long legs were perfect for dancing, her figure and demeanor were outstanding, not to mention her stunning beauty.
The altered dress didn't flatter Wendy, but it was enough to make her look unattractive next to Lilian.
Lilian thrust an object into Wendy's hand, which was clenched in displeasure.
It was a piece of fabric, ripped from Lilian's dress. Lilian had nonchalantly tied it up and tossed it mockingly into Wendy's hand.
Without lingering, Lilian turned to leave. Wendy's vision blurred with anger as she forced a smile and announced, "Mom and Dad, I'll walk my sister out."
Jackson's frown deepened, and he moved to follow, but York intercepted him. "Jackson, I want to talk to you about something company-related. Come with me."
Lilian walked briskly away, Wendy's voice trailing after her. "You did it on purpose! You're such a wicked woman. You flaunt your allure at every occasion and take pride in the men who can't tear their eyes away from you, don't you?!"
Lilian paid no heed to her accusations, but Wendy, in a fit of rage, picked up a cobblestone and hurled it at Lilian, the fabric still clutched in her hand.
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