Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Eliza ignored Xander’s contempt and went straight to the registration desk.

The staff member followed procedure and asked her to present her invitation.

he opened her bag, only to find it missing.

he searched carefully, but the invitation was nowhere to be found.

With more guests arriving behind her, the staff urged, “Miss, please present your invitation. Without one, you can’t enter. We’ll need your cooperation.”

Sorry, let me look again.” Eliza stepped aside, not wanting to hold up the line.

eeing this, Xander let out a sneer.

eally playing the part.

Did she think this was some ordinary gala?

rying to sneak in the way she used to–with tricks, or by using her looks?

idiculous.

eople like her weren’t worth even a second glance.

e turned away, his disdain obvious, and strode straight inside.

liza hadn’t expected to actually lose the invitation. With no other choice, she sent a message to Vega.

uessing he was busy, she didn’t call, ready to wait as long as needed.

uests continued to arrive in the meantime–among them, Calvin and Medea.

he moment Medea stepped out of the car, her steps faltered.

he realized she and Eliza were wearing the same thing.

oth had chosen black halter gowns of the same material.

he difference? Eliza wore no expensive jewelry.

istead, she’d tied a silk scarf at the strap on her shoulder, letting it drape down along her body, swaying gently with the breeze until it brushed her waist.

he effect was alive, luminous, an elegance beyond Jewels.

made her shine.

nease prickled in Medea’s chest.

liza didn’t notice her, intent only on waiting for Vega’s reply.

Calvin led Medea forward, handed over their invitation.

learby, one staffer whispered to another, “How long’s that woman going to stand there?”

he colleague replied, “Who knows. Probably hoping to sneak in. Happens every time Mr. Vega hosts one of these–plenty of people try.”

Then I’ll keep an eye out. No way I’m letting her slip past.”

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Chapter 169

Every word drifted to Medea’s ears. She smiled faintly.

So Eliza didn’t even have an invitation.

She’d once thought Vega treated Eliza differently. Eliza probably thought so too–enough to try crashing his gala.

She really overrated herself.

Inside, Xander finally found a chance to greet Vega.

Vega asked after his father.

“My father’s been unwell and couldn’t come, so he asked me to extend his apologies.”

“Please send him my regards. When I’m next in B City, I’ll pay him a visit.”

“Thank you.”

Vega then asked about Xander’s own situation.

“You’ve graduated?”

“Yes. With Father’s health declining, I applied to finish early and return to help him.”

“Good.”

They’d only just begun when Vega’s secretary hurried over to whisper something.

Then what are you waiting for? Go bring them in at once,” Vega instructed.

From his tone, it was clearly an important guest. The secretary rushed off.

Moments later, Calvin and Medea arrived.

When Xander saw her, his eyes lit up.

He instinctively moved toward her, but then remembered Calvin at her side and stopped short.

He had no standing.

Vega, on his way to the entrance, spotted them and offered a casual greeting.

Xander misread it immediately, thinking the honored guest Vega was sending for must be Calvin and Medea.

Forcing himself, he pulled his gaze away from Medea. He had come tonight with important goals; he couldn’t lose focus.

After Vega and Calvin exchanged pleasantries, Eliza arrived.

Medea opened her mouth, eager to speak with Vega-

But then Vega’s expression broke into a smile, and he bypassed them both to stride straight toward Eliza

“Miss Grant, my apologies, I didn’t see my phone. I didn’t realize you’d been stopped outside. Did you wait long? You should’ve called me directly. He extended

his hand.

Eliza felt a pang of guilt. “It’s me who should apologize. I don’t know how I lost the invitation, sorry for troubling you.”

Vega chuckled. “We all forget things sometimes. My wife always says I’m absentminded.”

Their warm exchange wiped the smile right off Medea’s face.

So Eliza really had been invited personally.

10-21

Caven Vaares Foal One now Queen

Chapter 169

What spell had she cast to make Vega treat her so differently?

With so many guests to host, Vega didn’t linger. He told his secretary to keep an eye on Eliza before moving off again.

liza found herself a quiet corner, assuring the secretary she could manage on her own. She was an adult, after all.

he didn’t know G City’s business circle, most faces were unfamiliar, so she kept to herself and nibbled at some food.

o Medea, it looked like she’d been abandoned.

While she herself, on Calvin’s arm, was at the center of things.

alvin’s ties in G City were strong; Everest had multiple subsidiaries listed here. Their circle was full of connections.

o people kept coming to greet them–many curious about Medea.

You two look quite close–an engagement soon?”

ledea’s smile was radiant. “Yes. Calv and I are getting engaged.”

Congratulations!”

he gala almost turned into a press conference.

liza set down her glass and slipped away to the restroom for some peace.

s she washed her hands, she noticed the woman beside her had a patch of blood on her skirt.

ie quickly warned her.

he woman glanced down. “Oh no, it leaked?”

1l try to wipe it, but not sure it’ll come out,” Eliza said, kneeling to dab at the stain with a wet tissue.

le fabric’s weave had absorbed the blood; it wouldn’t lift.

eing as much, the woman decided to call for a backup gown. But before she could, her phone rang.

low? I’m having a problem here–can I delay?” she asked.

pause, then: “Alright, 111 come now.”

karly no delay possible. She hung up, frowning at her skirt.

fter a thought, Eliza untied the silk scarf from her own dress and wrapped it neatly around the woman’s watst, arranging it to hide the stain while still taking ylish.

There. Just for now,” she said

he woman’s eyes brightened at her resourcefulness. “What’s your name?”

Eliza.”

ecognition sparked across het fare, almost in admiration Youre Eliza?

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