Chapter 357

Lillian Prescott had learned from Beatrice Lockwood that Dominic Blackwood was dining at Blue Honors tonight. She spent hours perfecting her appearance, determined to surprise him with her presence.

The last person she expected to see was Evelyn Sinclair sitting with him.

"What does Evelyn have that makes him adore her so much?" The thought burned through Lillian's mind like acid.

But what truly unsettled her was recognizing Scarlett Fairchild - the girl from the same orphanage - serving their table.

Lillian squeezed her eyes shut, willing the flood of unpleasant memories to stop.

The images came anyway, playing like a horror film behind her eyelids.

They'd arrived at the orphanage the same year. Six-year-old Lillian, gaunt and silent, looking like she'd crawled out of a warzone. Five-year-old Scarlett, dressed in frilly pink dresses with a sparkling tiara, resembling a storybook princess.

Scarlett could sing, dance, and weave magical tales. Every child in that wretched place adored her, forming a constant orbit around their radiant little star.

No one noticed the quiet, malnourished girl in the corner.

Lillian never understood why someone like Scarlett ended up in an orphanage. She belonged in some mansion, spoiled rotten by doting parents.

All Lillian knew was that she wanted - needed - that attention for herself.

So the six-year-old played Scarlett's best friend while systematically destroying her reputation. Stolen items, cruel pranks, bugs in beds - Lillian framed Scarlett for every misdeed.

Within months, Scarlett became the orphanage pariah while Lillian rose to favor.

Then came the day Jonathan and Genevieve Prescott visited to adopt a child.

Lillian saw her golden ticket. That orphanage was no charity - she'd overheard the matron discussing their real business. Pretty girls disappeared at eighteen, sold to the highest bidder. The matron had already promised Lillian to some perverted tycoon.

She wouldn't let that happen.

The night before the Prescotts arrived, Lillian slipped laxatives into Scarlett's dinner. By morning, the girl was too ill to leave her bed.

Without competition, Lillian charmed the Prescotts effortlessly. She became their beloved daughter overnight, leaving that hellhole behind.

Years later, she heard the orphanage got raided. The matron arrested. All children relocated.

Lillian kept tabs on Scarlett - her greatest rival. The girl had struggled through school and menial jobs, never matching Lillian's privileged life.

Then at seventeen, Scarlett vanished. Rumors said some man got her pregnant.

Lillian had reveled in that news.

So why was Scarlett here now? Wearing a waitress uniform? Talking to Evelyn Sinclair of all people?

The past she'd buried was clawing its way back.