Chapter 68 Attending the Banquet
Some sharp-eyed guests noticed Nicholas and me, their conversations drifting into my ears.
"You don't recognize him? That's Nicholas, heir to the legendary Harrington family!"
"Who's the woman with him?"
"No clue, but she looks elegant. Wonder which family she's from?"
The crowd buzzed with speculation, instinctively parting to let us through.
The moment we entered, I caught a venomous stare from the second floor. I tilted my head up slightly and locked eyes with the source.
Sabrina.
She gripped the railing so hard her knuckles must've been white, her features twisted with resentment and jealousy as she glared at me.
I quickly assessed her outfit—a fitted floor-length gown that emphasized her tiny waist. But the makeup was clearly self-done, tacky and unrefined, making her look petty and harsh.
I smoothly looked away. People were already approaching to chat.
Nicholas patted the back of my hand in reminder.
"Mr. Harrington, may I ask who this is..."
The man smiled as he looked between us, obviously curious about our relationship.
Nicholas smiled but didn't answer directly. "Mr. Geller."
"It's been ages. Are you really going to grill me about my private life the second we meet?"
He was basically calling Geller out for being nosy.
Geller laughed awkwardly and melted back into the crowd with his drink.
After we'd dispatched the first busybody, the others who approached were smart enough not to pry. But gossip is human nature—I still caught plenty of speculation floating around us.
"I thought Mr. Harrington rarely attended these things. Could he be joining forces with the Johnson family? Where would that leave the rest of us in the business world?"
"This woman looks unfamiliar. Could she be some long-lost Johnson daughter?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Nicholas started his own tech company—he doesn't touch the family business."
"Actually, your second guess might have some merit."
"You're all paranoid. She's probably just some no-name actress."
"With that poise and Nicholas as her backer? She'll be A-list before you know it."
My head started to hurt. What kind of nonsense were these people spinning?
Did Edward even know he supposedly had a secret half-sister?
And if my acting was that good, Sabrina wouldn't have been able to crush me so thoroughly.
I excused myself to the restroom, separating from Nicholas. When I returned, I deliberately found an empty corner and helped myself to some petit fours.
"Catherine, look at you stuffing your face. You really have no class, do you?"
Sabrina's disdainful voice came from behind me.
I turned to face her, plate in hand. "And whose fault is it that I never got the chance to experience this world?"
"You!" Sabrina's expression darkened.
She crossed her arms, sneering. "That's on you for being incompetent. You couldn't win the brothers' trust."
"Sometimes I actually feel sorry for you." Her tone shifted, hatred seeping through. "But if it wasn't for you, my dad would still be alive."
"Catherine, did you really think leaving the Rosewood family would let you escape me? Dream on!"
Sabrina's eyes glinted with malice, her voice carrying notes of triumphant calculation.
Alarm bells went off in my head. I quietly put more distance between us while keeping my expression calm.
I shot back, "If they trust you, that's because they're idiots."
"Besides, you know exactly what dirty tricks you pulled behind the scenes."
"I don't need your pity. If anything, you're the one to pity. Your father supposedly died because of you, took my parents with him, and now you're stuck groveling to the Rosewood family."
"Uncle Herman's death—who's to say it wasn't your fault?"
"And another thing—he was the Rosewood family's employee. Protecting his employers was literally his job. Don't pin every sin on me."
I took two cold steps toward Sabrina.
"Your brainwashing tactics might work on those four idiots."
"But I'm not buying what you're selling, and I sure as hell won't let you guilt-trip me!"
Sabrina seemed to remember the last time I'd beaten the crap out of her. She stumbled backward in panic, nearly falling before catching herself on a table edge.
I shook my head in disappointment. Shame I didn't get to see her hit the floor.
Sabrina's face flushed crimson. "Catherine, just you wait!"
I scoffed at her empty threat, completely dismissive.
The only reason Sabrina had ever had leverage over me was because I couldn't let go of my blood ties to the Rosewood family. Now that I'd cut them off completely, I had nothing holding me back.
Sabrina didn't dare provoke me further.
I was getting bored. Everyone at this gala was upper-crust elite, and aside from Nicholas, I didn't know a soul.
Just as I was considering whether to try mingling, I caught Sabrina following some guy out to the garden.
My instincts screamed that drama was about to unfold. Without bothering to tell Nicholas, I set down my glass and hurried after them.
In the garden, I'd barely taken a few steps when I heard Sabrina's voice.
"Edward!"
"We have a business arrangement, at least. People from the Johnson family are watching tonight. If you leave now, what am I supposed to do?"
I carefully tucked myself behind a corner wall, peeking out to observe the two main players.
Tonight wasn't a full moon. The garden only had emergency lighting—it was pitch black. I couldn't make out their expressions, so I had to rely on their tones.
Sabrina sounded frantic, her voice edging toward tears.
I was confused. Edward was leaving?
If the star of the Johnson family's gala bailed mid-event, how was Sabrina, an outsider, supposed to face the family elders?
Edward's voice came out flat and cold.
"Sabrina, I only brought you here to deal with those people."
"I paid you good money. If you can't handle something this simple, get lost!"
"Also, I'm warning you—stay the hell away from Anna. If I catch you near her again, don't blame me for cutting you off completely."
With that, Edward moved to leave.
But Sabrina wasn't having it. I saw a silhouette lunge forward—she must've been trying to grab him from behind. Edward sidestepped, and Sabrina crashed to the ground.
Even in the darkness, I could picture how utterly pathetic she looked right now.
Sabrina scrambled to block his path.
"Edward, I was wrong. Please don't be angry."
"I'm begging you, just stay until the gala ends, okay? I swear I'll never go near her again."
Edward kicked her aside with obvious disgust.
Already fragile, Sabrina had no strength left to resist.
"Sabrina."
"The only use you have to me is..."
Edward crouched down, his volume dropping.
I frowned, assessing the situation before deciding to move closer.
The moment I got near enough, I heard Edward say, "If Anna breaks up with me because of you, I'll make you wish you were dead!"