Chapter 4 Always Eager To See What The Family Offers

All eyes swiveled toward the entrance as soon as the doors swung open.

Kathryn appeared, draped in a sleek black dress that hugged her figure, its surface catching the light with tiny sparkling crystals. Her hair was gathered high in a graceful twist, a few wisps trailing artfully around her face.

She exuded confidence and radiance, a presence impossible to ignore-unyielding and unforgettable.

The moment Rhett spotted her, relief washed over his features. "Kathryn, you're here at last."

Rebecca's demeanor shifted instantly, her face frosting over with cold contempt.

There was no mistaking it-Kathryn looked just like her mother. Both of them, mother and daughter, were born temptresses.

Rebecca's glare sliced through the air, brimming with old hatred she could barely contain.

Why didn't fate take her too, all those years ago?

But it wasn't just Rebecca staring daggers. Kathryn returned her gaze, silent but deadly, eyes filled with a burning promise of retribution.

If she had the chance, she'd settle the score right here and now.

Rhett, clearly feeling the rising tension, cleared his throat and tried to smooth things over. "Kathryn, come meet my wife. Rebecca, this is Kathryn..."

Kathryn ignored Rebecca entirely, denying her even a passing glance.

To her, Rebecca was nothing but the woman who broke up her parents' marriage and drove her mother to her grave.

Kathryn let her eyes drift over the hall, taking in every detail. There were only a handful of Palmer family members and some staff. Not a single figure from the city's upper crust had shown.

It was exactly as she'd anticipated.

The Palmers' agreement to throw this banquet had come far too easily. Kathryn could see through the ploy-a thinly veiled attempt to put her in her place.

After all, they had made it public that Kathryn was Rhett's long lost illegitimate daughter, returning to claim her name. No matter how influential the Palmer name might be, no one with a true reputation to uphold would be willing to attend a party for an illegitimate daughter.

Still, Kathryn knew how to play the game just as well.

With a quiet, mocking laugh, she snapped her fingers and said over her shoulder, "Bring them in."

A moment later, several attendants marched in, each bearing massive arrangements of stark white funeral lilies.

They lined the lilies up in two crisp rows, their ghostly blooms glowing harshly beneath the chandeliers.

All the color drained from Rhett's face.

Rebecca's features twisted, anger contorting her beauty into something feral.

Every fiber in her body screamed to wipe the smug satisfaction off Kathryn's face.

But Kathryn only basked in the tension, a lazy, satisfied smile curving her lips as she surveyed the shocked room. "A small present for the occasion. I hope it sets the right mood."

Rebecca retorted, "Kathryn Palmer, you have gone too far!"

Rhett scrambled to intervene, managing a shaky grin. "We also prepared something for you, Kathryn. Why not take a look at your welcome gift?"

Kathryn's smile sharpened, almost daring him. "Naturally. I'm always eager to see what the family offers."

Rhett wasted no time ushering Kathryn out of the hall. The second they were gone, Andrew and Martha Palmer, Rhett's parents, barked orders at the staff to clear out every last lily.

Rebecca was still seething, her usually flawless features contorted with fury.

Julie Palmer, Rhett's sister, tried to soothe her sister-in-law. "Don't give her the satisfaction. All she wanted was to provoke us, but we made sure she wouldn't have the last laugh."

Julie glanced over at her parents, her expression turning sly. "Dad, Mom, you two handled this masterfully. Limiting the invitations to only a select few? Now those who didn't get invited are convinced Kathryn snubbed them on purpose. And the few who did get invited-all those big names-will feel insulted and stay far away."

She paused, the beginnings of a frown tugging at her lips. "But, Dad, why insist on inviting the Knight family's heir?"

Andrew let out a bitter chuckle. "Evan isn't someone to underestimate. Once he realizes I burned a precious favor just to bring him here because of Kathryn, he'll hold a grudge. He's got a long memory and a nasty temper. With the way he operates, Kathryn will never get a foothold in Wrille."

Julie's lips curled into a sneer. "Let's see how long she can stay so arrogant."