Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 264

“Let’s just ignore her, Ms. Fortner. We should head inside.”

“Seriously, she isn’t even worth your attention.”

Helene’s face barely shifted, but the contempt in her eyes was clear. She arched an eyebrow and flashed Madeline a smug, challenging smile, then strode confidently into the ballroom.

Madeline didn’t even glance her way. She checked the time—Brenda was still about twenty minutes out. Finding an empty seat nearby, she took out her phone and started tackling her unread emails.

…

The moment Raine stepped into the ballroom, she almost let out a gasp. The place sparkled with golden lights and laughter, everyone dressed to impress, glasses clinking under the chandeliers.

Her mom was right. The events Helene invited her to were on a whole different level from anything the Monroe family ever hosted.

Helene caught Raine’s awestruck look and couldn’t help but sneer to herself.

Moving deeper into the room, Helene wore a perfectly poised smile. Standing next to her, Raine just faded into the background, totally outshined.

Helene was already stunning, but tonight she’d gone all out. With her elegant dress and the air of someone born to the Fortner family, she drew stares from every direction.

With all those admiring eyes on her, Helene felt her confidence swell. Her smile only grew more dazzling.

She lifted the hem of her dress and made her way to the center of the ballroom, scanning the crowd. It took her just a second to spot Julian. He stood out, dressed in black, his expression unreadable.

Helene waved down a waiter, took a glass of red wine, and walked over to him.

Julian was surrounded by people. Josh and Brady were there, along with a bunch of other guys from wealthy families. Still, everyone seemed extra careful with their words, clearly sensing Julian’s bad mood.

“Julian,” Helene called softly.

Every guy except Julian turned to look at her, all of them clearly impressed.

Helene’s gaze flicked around before she stepped closer to Julian and slipped her arm through his. “Julian, guess who I just saw at the entrance?”

Julian said nothing.

Helene was used to his silence. She just kept going. “It was Ms. Monroe.”

Julian’s eyes flickered, just for a moment.

“She looked gorgeous tonight, but I guess she didn’t have an invitation. She couldn’t get in.”

Helene wasn’t saying any of this to help Madeline. She just wanted everyone to laugh at her.

All dressed up with nowhere to go. How pitiful, how embarrassing, how completely ridiculous.