Unloved Unwanted Unstoppable (Seraphina and Dominic) novel Chapter 39

Lauren's shrill voice cut through the air from behind her.

"Seraphina, what the hell are you doing here? Do you really think you belong in a place like this?"

Seraphina slowly turned her head.

Lauren stood sneering at her, draped in a heavily embellished haute couture gown. Her makeup was flawless, and the absolute disdain in her eyes was palpable.

"You said you were entering a competition. You meant this one? Do you even know the caliber of talent here? I can't believe you actually showed up."

Seraphina raised her chin, her gaze locking onto Lauren's with glacial intensity.

"If you have the nerve to be here, why wouldn't I?"

Lauren's expression darkened.

She couldn't fathom where Seraphina was getting this sudden burst of confidence.

She was probably just riding on the coattails of her title as Mrs. Lockwood to sneak past security.

Otherwise, how could a nobody from a pathetic, working-class family possibly get an invite?

That Lockwood title really was a golden ticket.

Lauren's hands balled into tight fists at her sides.

Her manicured nails dug into her palms as she raked a judgmental look over Seraphina's cream-colored gown, letting out a sharp scoff.

"Why aren't you wearing The Starry Feast? Did you finally realize that with your pathetic background, even a masterpiece would make you look like a beggar?"

Seraphina's eyes flashed with lethal coldness as she glared back.

The sheer absolute zero in her stare made Lauren's chest tighten with a sudden, inexplicable spike of fear. For some reason, Seraphina felt completely different lately.

Lauren couldn't quite put her finger on the shift, but it terrified her.

Seraphina's voice was a soft, deadly calm. "I look like a beggar? Should I grab a microphone and explain exactly who my real family is to the press out there?"

Lauren froze for a second before bursting into a mocking laugh.

"Do you honestly think anyone would believe you?"

She paused, her malicious smile widening as she leaned in close, dropping her voice to a venomous whisper. "And do you really think Alistair and Eleanor would back you up? Don't make a complete joke of yourself."

A dark shadow crossed Seraphina's eyes.

She knew perfectly well that Alistair and Eleanor would deny her in a heartbeat.

Those two had never once chosen her.

Luckily, she no longer had a single shred of desire to be their daughter anyway.

But just because she didn't want the Lennox name didn't mean she was going to sit here and absorb Lauren's relentless abuse.

Seraphina's lips curled into a ruthless smirk as she stood up and walked directly toward Alistair and Eleanor, who were currently marching toward them from across the room.

She stared dead into Alistair's eyes, her voice eerily calm.

"So I was thinking, with all this press around, today might be the perfect day to officially announce my true identity."

"Don't you dare!"

Alistair and Eleanor hissed the words simultaneously, the sheer panic cracking through their polished facades.

Lauren's lips twitched into a smug, victorious little smile.

She stared at Seraphina, her eyes radiating pure provocation.

See? I told you so.

Seraphina let out a dark chuckle.

"No wonder your daughter has the absolute audacity to terrorize me. You two are the ones handing her the weapon."

"Seraphina, is it really necessary to be so dramatic?" Eleanor scolded, her brow furrowing deeply.

"We have a lot of complex social factors to consider..."

"Save the excuses."

Seraphina cut her off sharply, sweeping a terrifyingly cold glare across all three of their faces.