Chapter 26
Annabelle met her stare and, for an instant, was shaken by the blaze in Elena’s eyes. The knock on the door snapped her out of the t Let’s wait and see!”
Elena glanced at her toaked sleepwear and returned to the bathroom to change.
The next morning, the engagement banquet was set for Riverton’s grandest clubhouse.
Opening her wardrobe, Elena found her clothes gone. Only a few winter pieces–Annabelle’s cast–offs–hung inside.
Elena Bennett had no chance of squeezing into Annabelle’s gown–even if she tried, their figures were worlds apart, and forcing the fabric over her shoulders would only turn her into a wathing joke.
The end result was simple: she left the apartment in the same lightweight long blouse she had worn the day she walked out of the prison. The air outside was bitter, so she looped a scarf around her neck before hurrying downstairs.
Still, she tucked the evening gown Victor Whitmore had loaned her last night into a garment bag, planning to hand it back to him the moment the engagement banquet was over.
Everyone in the Bennett family had driven to the clubhouse at dawn; with no ride of her own, Elena flagged down a cab and paid the fare herself.
When Elena Bennett arrived, the banquet hall was already shimmering with crystal lights and crowded with elegantly dressed guests.
Annabelle Bennett, resplendent in a champagne gown, stood arm–in–arm with Victor Whitmore, everywhere Elena turned, she heard people praising how perfectly matched the two of them looked.
All she wanted was a quiet corner where she could sit for a few minutes, make the briefest appearance, then slip away unnoticed–but before she could find a seat, Annabelle Bennett headed straight for her.
Annabelle called out brightly. “Elena, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting ages for you.”
Elena looked at her coolly “Waiting for me?
Smiling, Annabelle slipped her arm through Elena’s. “Of course! You’re my one and only sister. Your presence at my engagement banquet means the world to me I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful tam that you came!
Still holding onto Elena, Annabelle steered her toward a circle of wealthy heiresses who stood near the champagne tower
Annabelle beamed at the group. “Ladies, allow me to introduce my sister. We brought her home especially for the engagement. I’m sure you all remember her
Elena’s brows knitted, she shook Annabelle’s hand free and turned to leave.
Annabelle clamped onto her wrist and pleaded, “Don’t go, Elena! You’ve been out of society for a whole year–you need to say hello to our friends.”
Elena realized Annabelle was determined to humiliate her.
In no time the heiresses were whispering and gesturing at her behind manicured hands.
One heiress murmured, “That’s Elena Bennett? Only a year away and just look at her now
Another tittered, “She made her bed and paid the price. The Bennetts are generous to keep a thief under their roof”
“it were her, I’d crawl out of the Bennett household myself. A penniless imposter dares show up here she’s disgracing them.”
Every remark was a blade that drove straight into Elena’s heart
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Chapter 261
She shot a frosty glance at Annabelle and caught the satisfied curl at the comer of her sister’s lips:
Elena drew herself up and met the crowd’s eyes, voice steady and clear, “I did not steal anything”
A woman scoffed, “No? Your parents of twenty years confessed it themselves! Do you mean to say they would fram their own child? You bite the handl that feeds you–poor Bennetts, saddled with such an ingrate.”
“Exactly. Without the Bennetts she’d be begging on the street by now,” someone added.
“My conscience is spotless,” Elena declared.
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.