Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 369

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Esther froze for a second, her mind racing. What does she mean by “steal the spotlight“? Is she really calling me out like that in front of everyone? Does she think I can’t tell what she’s doing? she thought.

Her face darkened. She shot Lindsey a heated glare. If Jim hadn’t just scolded her, she would’ve gone off on Lindsey right here without hesitation.

Her hand, which was hidden in the shadows, clenched into a fist. Stay calm, she thought. Don’t let it get to you. Keep it together.’

Jim, still frowning, clearly frustrated, spoke up. “Lindsey, what exactly are you implying?”

Lindsey tilted her head. “Are you really going to let me explain to everyone how your precious daughter, Esther, is just trying to get attention?”

She said the last part with a noticeable shift in her tone, looking at Esther with a smirk. Jim’s temper flared. He shot Esther an angry look, his patience clearly running thin.

He never expected his family drama to be aired in front of so many people, especially not tonight.

As he scanned the room and caught the mocking glances from the guests, his face turned even darker. His blood began to boil.

Jim couldn’t help but think that after tonight, his family was going to lose even more respect.

‘If only I had known this was going to happen, I should’ve never come to this dinner, he thought bitterly.

But it was too late to regret it now.

Jim took a deep breath, trying to regain control. He raised his voice and forced a smile, looking at the guests. “Just a little misunderstanding between the girls. Sorry to interrupt your evening, everyone. My apologies for the trouble.”

He then turned to Jocelyn on stage, raising his glass toward her. “Mrs. Jocelyn Hartley, I’m truly sorry. Please, go ahead and

continue.”

Jocelyn briefly glanced at Elysia beside her before looking back at the guests, her smile still polite and composed. “Everyone, just a minor interruption. Let’s get back to the dinner.”

She gave Elysia another quick smile, and the two of them proceeded to cut into the cake again.

Elysia was shocked. She hadn’t expected Lindsey to call out Jim like that, especially not at a formal dinner.

of character for her cousin,

it. There was something

stage, their eyes fixed on their daughter in Jocelyn’s arms. A strange, bitter

Quinita asked, her voice quiet but laced

gaze narrowing. “If I had to guess, the Hartley family is

the same way. Ever since Jocelyn showed up at the banquet, she’d

hit her

wasn’t exactly close with Jocelyn, but they weren’t strangers, either. Back when she lived in Jorlandia, their families had

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Chapter 369

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she moved to Durinville, they lost touch. And when she

showed up at Elysia’s welcome party, wearing a purple dress, just

stood among

Jocelyn, most of the people from Jorlandia’s high

talk or play the social game. She didn’t flatter or manipulate people to get ahead. Plus, since she lived abroad most of the time, it made sense that

her,

wondered if Jocelyn was

the two of them, so close on stage, made Quinita’s chest tighten.

found her daughter, and already, someone was

made the fifth cut on the cake, both she and Elysia stopped. The rest of the cake–cutting

the staff.

like a masterpiece, slicing each piece with

then carried the slices, either serving them directly to guests or placing them at the

were surrounded by a group of middle–aged men in suits,

at her lips. Just as she was about to take a

take Quinita’s hand as if they were the best of friends.

but her eyes betrayed no emotion. Her thoughts

her juice, her foot pausing mid–step.

sure what would happen if she

voice called out,

turned with a smile, but as soon as she saw the

her hair flowing in soft waves, and her skin