I wasn't particularly close to her; usually, we just maintained polite pleasantries.

Her actively calling to invite me was quite unusual.

"Where?"

"The Orchid Club, our usual spot."

"What time?"

"Three in the afternoon. Just a few of us, a relaxed chat."

I agreed.

At three o'clock the day after tomorrow.

Five people were sitting in the private room of the Orchid Club.

The prominent socialite, Mrs. Miller, Chloe, Evelyn, and myself.

The moment we sat down, the atmosphere felt slightly off.

Mrs. Miller and Chloe cast their eyes over me a few times, evaluating me with a subtle scrutiny.

The prominent socialite warmly took my hand as we sat.

"It's been so long, Lana. You've lost weight."

I smiled faintly but said nothing.

The tea was served, the pastries were brought out, and we spent ten minutes chatting about bags and clothes.

Mrs. Miller held her teacup and spoke up.

"Lana, I heard Ethan has been very busy lately? My husband said he tried to invite him to dinner several times but couldn't get ahold of him."

"He is quite busy."

"What is he busy with?" Mrs. Miller looked at me with a beaming smile. "Is he busy taking care of someone?"

Chloe let out a soft sneer.

The air tightened slightly.

"What do you mean by that, Mrs. Miller?"

"Oh, nothing at all," Mrs. Miller set down her cup. "It’s just that a couple of days ago while dining at the Grand Pavilion, I happened to bump into Ethan with a young girl. She looked exceptionally delicate and fresh. Her dress and manner didn't make her look like an employee at all."

"I originally thought she was the daughter of one of his business partners."

"But after checking around a bit..."

She dragged out her last words.

The prominent socialite chimed in from the side: "With a man of his status, who among our families hasn't dealt with this kind of thing? Don't make a mountain out of a molehill."

"Oh, but this is entirely different," Mrs. Miller's tone shifted. "That young lady is pregnant. I heard Ethan guarded her at the hospital for three whole days."

"I've never even seen him show that much devotion to his own wife."

She looked at me, the corners of her mouth curving upward.

"Lana, don't you agree?"

I picked up my teacup.

I took a sip.

And slowly set it back down.

"Your information network is quite efficient, Mrs. Miller."

"Then I wonder if you also happen to know whose name is registered on the deed of that luxury estate your husband bought over at the Horizon Residences?"

Mrs. Miller's smile froze completely.

"Or which hotel and which room number your husband stayed in when he took someone on a vacation to Miami last winter?"

Her face began to turn pale.

"Would you like me to help you look into exactly whose phone number your husband's secondary cellular account is linked to?"

Mrs. Miller snapped to her feet.

"You..."

"Mrs. Miller, even if I, Alaina, were covered in wounds, it is not your place to pour salt on them."

I swirled the tea in my cup.

"Since you have so much free time to manage my household matters, you would be better off sorting out your own first."

Mrs. Miller's face had turned crimson all the way down to her neck.

Her mouth opened slightly, but not a single word came out. She snatched up her purse and stormed out of the room.

Chloe kept her head down, sipping her tea, not daring to look at me.

Evelyn let out two awkward chuckles.

The prominent socialite patted my hand from the side: "Lana, don't be angry. That's just how she is—completely classless and loose-tongued."

I looked directly at her.

"Did you invite me here today just to watch this little performance?"

Her smile faded slightly.

"Lana, I only wanted to give you a warning. Word is already spreading on the outside."

"Spreading what?"

"Spreading that the CEO's wife has lost her favor."

"Spreading that the young lady by Ethan's side is about to replace you."

"Some people have already begun to take sides."

I stood up.

"Whose side are they taking?"

"The side of a girl whose real name barely anyone even knows?"

"Tell those people that no matter who wants to place their bets, they had better first figure out exactly who owns the table."

I picked up my purse and walked out of the private room.

When I reached the parking lot, I called Mrs. Higgins.

"Look into that dinner at the Grand Pavilion Mrs. Miller mentioned. Get the guest list for that day, and find out which of those people have already started contacting Seraphina."

The flames of war had already scorched their way into my social circle.

Seraphina wasn't just trying to steal my husband.

She was trying to steal my throne.

Chapter 14

Mrs. Higgins obtained the list by the very next day.

There were seven people present at the Grand Pavilion that evening.

Four of them were Ethan's business associates or their wives.

The other three were brought along by Seraphina, completely unknown faces.

Out of those seven, two had already begun interacting with Seraphina on social media.

Liking her posts, leaving comments, and scheduling afternoon tea dates.

Their movements were remarkably swift.

Their execution was highly polished.

It didn't look like a strategy orchestrated by a mere twenty-three-year-old girl.

As expected, Madeline was the one pulling the strings from behind the curtain.

I was in no hurry to make a move.

I was waiting for the perfect opportunity.

That opportunity presented itself three days later.

Ethan's conglomerate was hosting an annual grand charity gala.

An event held once a year, where all the prominent figures and dignitaries of the city would be in attendance.

This was the public face of his empire, and a vital venue for Ethan to expand his elite network.

Every single year in the past, I had attended as his wife, sitting at the head table to help him manage the toasts and socialize with guests.

This year, Harvey called me.

"Hey, I assume you know about the gala?"

"I do."

"Well... Ethan's view is that you don't need to attend this year."

"Why?"

"He said your health hasn't been great lately, so you should rest at home."

I hung up the phone.

Barring me from attending.

Was he afraid I would clash with Seraphina if I went?

Or was he preparing to let Seraphina sit in my seat?

I opened my wardrobe.

I selected a striking crimson evening gown.

The exact same one I had worn to an elite auction gala three years ago.

That evening, I walked into the grand ballroom entirely alone.

No invitation had been issued to me.

But when the staff at the entrance saw my face, none possessed the courage to bar my path.

Everyone in the city knew that at a gala hosted by his empire, his wife had every right to enter, and no one had the authority to stand in her way.

The moment I stepped into the ballroom, the venue fell into a sudden, brief silence.

The gazes of hundreds of guests converged upon me simultaneously.

Some began to whisper in hushed tones.

At the head table, Ethan sat squarely in the center.

The seat directly to his left was completely empty.

Seated to his right was Seraphina.

Tonight, she wore a pristine white evening gown, her hair swept up elegantly, adorned with a delicate pearl necklace.

The exact instant she caught sight of me, her fingers clenched tightly beneath the tablecloth.

Yet she rapidly forced herself to regain her composure, even offering a tight smile in my direction.

I walked directly toward the head table.

The surrounding crowd automatically parted to grant me passage.

Harvey bolted up from a neighboring table, his expression incredibly tense.

"Lana, why are you here? Ethan said—"

"Step aside."

He stepped back.

I walked right up to the head table.

I stood directly before Ethan.

He raised his eyes to look at me.

There was no surprise in his gaze, and no anger.

He was entirely calm.

"Lana, you came."

"Why wouldn't I come?"

I took my place in the empty seat to his left.

There were eight people in total at the head table.

Aside from Ethan and Seraphina, the rest were a few key business partners and their wives.

Every eye at the table bounced between me, Seraphina, and the man caught between us.

"Pour me a glass of wine."

I didn't spare Seraphina a single glance.

A waiter immediately rushed over to fill my glass.

I raised the glass, offering a polite gesture to the distinguished guests at the table.

"Good evening, everyone. As Ethan's wife, I apologize for my late arrival to tonight's gala. Let me offer a toast to penalize myself."

I drained the glass in a single mouthful.

The sharp clink of the glass meeting the table rang out clearly.