The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 130

Bianca’s POV

I twirled a strand of hair around my freshly manicured finger with a smile curving my lips. The banquet hall was lavishly decorated, the scent of expensive perfume and decadent food filling the air.

It was a perfect evening already, and it had only just begun.

My mother had sent me a new dress just for tonight, which arrived just this morning in a wrapped gift box; it was straight from Paris, a custom designer piece in my favorite color.

The blood red silk pooled around my feet, and the fitted bodice perfectly showed off my assets without being overly ostentatious. It was the perfect gown to turn heads; especially Callum’s.

I had noticed, of course, the way his eyes constantly wandered to her. He thought I couldn’t see the way he looked at her, but I did.

I wasn’t worried anymore, though. Liora would be gone soon. Callum wouldn’t look at her ever again, and he would quickly forget about her, just as we all would.

“Oh, Bianca! You look so stunning tonight,” the girl beside me, the one with glasses and freckles, cooed. She reached out as if to run her hand across my trailing sleeve, but a single look from me had her quickly pulling her hand back.

Still, she smiled. “Your dress is easily the most beautiful one here,” she said, much to the agreement of the others around me, who all nodded and murmured amongst themselves.

“Thank you. It was a gift from my father. Only the finest for his Princess.”

As the group cooed in response, I lifted my chin and surveyed the banquet hall.

The space was already bustling with students, many of whom had already arrived and were milling around with drinks in hand as the string quartet played. Some were still trickling in, but the stream was getting smaller by the minute.

I didn’t see Liora anywhere. It was more of a relief than I wanted to admit.

“I heard last night that Principal Alder intends to forbid her from the ceremony,” Jessica, as if reading my mind, whispered in my ear. “He might even expel her on Monday, once the King is gone.”

My smile widened. Jessica had done well in planting the evidence that would lead to that girl’s downfall; no one would ever believe her now. Even if the principal didn’t expel her, then after tonight, Liora would have no choice but to drop out of school.

She had agreed to the bet, after all. Too many people had too much money wrapped up in the wager, and if she refused to hold up the end of the bargain, then they’d come after her with torches and pitchforks.

I wouldn’t mind seeing that, if I was being honest.

Just then, I spotted movement up near the dais—a handsome, tall man stepped out from the side door, dressed in a clearly expensive black suit. He paused, scanning the crowd.

My heart stuttered at the sight of him. My father—my biological father. The King.

When I had last seen him, I had panicked and scurried away. I feared he would reveal that I wasn’t the princess I claimed I was; but now, after thinking on it, I had come up with a plan.

I intended to win the King’s favor and convince him to name me Princess. I had been a loyal servant, after all, and after tonight? Once the crimes of the wolfless Liora finally came to light? He would have no choice but to see how seriously I took our kingdom’s reputation.

Pushing away from the table, I stood, smoothing down my skirt. My admirers watched as I smiled and approached the King. I could feel their eyes on me the entire way. Good. Let them watch. Let them see the King accepting his one true daughter.

I came to stop in front of him and curtsied deeply. Spine straight, chin dipping demurely.

“Good evening, Father,” I said softly, sweetly. I then leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

The King stiffened under my touch. My lips had scarcely grazed his cheek before he was suddenly grabbing me by both arms with a grip that almost hurt, and holding me away from him.

“Who the hell are you?” he blurted out.

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