Chapter 165 The perfect image of the “sweet older sister.”
Tania, sensing the feigned jealousy, remained unperturbed. She smiled mischievously and tossed her hair.
“Don't look at me like that! Everyone likes to appreciate works of art! It's just that each person expresses it differently. Besides, considering the appearance of your Prince Charming, I'm sure any woman with a pulse would react like me!”
Caroline was speechless.
Tania had a gift for public speaking. She could twist any argument until you agreed with her.
Observing her friend's amusing arrogance, Caroline's mind wandered to another member of the Wolf family.
Daniel Wolf.
She wondered: how would Tania react if she came face to face with Nicholas's older brother?
Would she still be able to smile, giggle, and make jokes in front of that man, who looked like a human iceberg? Daniel was the definition of severity and seriousness.
The irony was delicious, because Tania had once been obsessed with Daniel Wolf. She used to say that she could die in peace if she could see the “Ice General” in person at least once in her life.
It was obvious how much of a fan she was.
In the past, given the social differences, it would have been impossible for Tania to cross paths with such a powerful and unattainable figure.
But now...
Now Caroline was Daniel's sister-in-law. There would be dinners, events, opportunities...
She definitely had to share this blessing (or curse) with her best friend.
Caroline tucked the idea away in a corner of her mind. She wouldn't tell Tania yet. It would be a surprise. She wanted to see her friend's reaction when she found out that her “idol” was about to become part of her social circle.
Returning to reality, Caroline typed quickly.
Carol: \[Um, I just finished. Do you have time to have lunch with us?\]
She had just pressed “send” when she heard a sound of disgust beside her.
“Yuck...” Tania made a face of deep disgust. “Carol, don't look now, but... is that thing in white over there Claire?”
Claire?
Caroline's smile disappeared instantly. She frowned, her defensive instincts activated.
She looked toward the hotel's revolving door.
And there she was.
Claire entered the lobby as if she owned the place. She wore a flowing white designer dress that gave her an ethereal appearance. With her light, perfectly applied makeup, she looked like a white lily, pure and innocent.
The perfect image of the “sweet older sister.”
But Caroline knew the truth. It was just a facade.
Claire was a lily rotting from the inside. A classic “white lotus” — pure on the outside, but with a black and poisonous heart.
“What is she doing here?” whispered Tania, hostility overflowing in her voice. She had hated Claire from the moment she started sabotaging Caroline.
Tania noticed it right away. Claire was a cunning woman, a snake in the grass.
Years ago, she had warned Caroline to be wary of her “sister.”
But Caroline, at the time, trusted Edward blindly. She even said the famous phrase: “Even if all the men in the world were unfaithful, Edward would be the exception.”
In the end... the exception was the rule.
Caroline pursed her lips, the smile disappearing. She remained silent, watching her rival's triumphant entrance.
What was Claire doing there?
“Is she here for the audition too?” Tania's eyes widened, realizing the danger. “But hasn't she already confirmed the lead role in ”Imperial Palace“? How would she have time for another production?”
As they whispered, Claire and her entourage passed through the revolving door.
Claire's eyes scanned the lobby and settled on Caroline.
There was a brief flash of surprise, but like a trained actress, she regained her composure in a millisecond.
A sweet, luminous smile—the patented “Nation's Sweetheart” smile—appeared on her face as she walked toward them.
“Sister!” Claire exclaimed, her voice full of feigned affection.
Tania felt a shiver of disgust run down her spine.
Linda, the businesswoman, also shuddered. She remembered the visceral hatred in Claire's eyes when she called Caroline a “bastard” just thirty minutes earlier.
And now... she was smiling like that?
This duplicity was terrifying.
Linda knew that Claire was her artist, her source of income, but she couldn't help feeling afraid of that social psychopathy.Seeing the “loving sister” smile, Caroline felt her stomach churn.This time, she didn't lower her head. Without bothering to hide her revulsion, she said coldly:“Claire, don't call me sister anymore.”Claire's smile faltered.“We don't need to be so hypocritical here,” Caroline continued, her voice as sharp as ice. “Let's just call each other by our names. Otherwise, I'll feel like throwing up.”Caroline took a step forward, staring at her."You feel disgusted saying that, and I lose out hearing it. Edward isn't here, Claire. There's no male audience to admire your good-girl act, so you don't need to put in so much effort. Save your energy.She was cruel and surgical in every word.Claire froze. The mask of perfection threatened to slip.Tania almost let out a cry of joy. She had to restrain herself from applauding right there and then.My baby is amazing! Tania thought proudly.Caroline didn't even use a swear word, but she destroyed that rotten lily's posture with just a few sentences. It was exactly what Claire deserved.“Sister, you...” Claire tried to keep up her act, her voice trembling with “hurt.”She was already boiling inside, but she couldn't explode. There were too many people in the lobby. Actors, producers, potential fans.Now she was a rising star. Her public image was worth millions. Her every move was watched.“No, no, no.”Caroline raised her index finger and waved it in front of Claire's face, interrupting the cheap drama.“Claire, I've already told you that I feel nauseous when you talk like that.” Caroline smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. “Please stop disgusting me, okay? You can call me by my name. Anyway, I don't have a sister as shameless as you.”“Y-You...”Claire's expression twisted. Blood rushed to her head, obliterating her reason.In a fit of rage, she raised her hand, ready to slap Caroline's insolent face.“Claire!” Linda hissed, grabbing her wrist in midair. “Watch your image!”