Chapter 996

Evelyn's lips curved into an amused smirk. "Do I really frighten you that much? Look how you're trembling."

Cassandra and Madison both froze in shock.

Madison scrambled to her feet immediately, bowing deeply to Evelyn. "Good afternoon, Ms. Sinclair!"

Yvette burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained.

With a contemptuous glance at Madison, she ripped off the woman's carefully constructed facade of innocence.

Madison swallowed hard, panic flashing across her face. "Ms. Sinclair, I-I didn't mean any of those things—"

Cassandra shot her a venomous glare. Madison had been so eager to curry favor moments ago.

Now she was the first to abandon ship.

Evelyn couldn't care less about either woman.

Her icy gaze settled on Cassandra. "Even if you want to spread rumors about me, these bottom-feeders are useless contacts." Her voice dripped with aristocratic disdain. "They can't even scrape the edges of high society. Just desperate social climbers waiting to be picked up by anyone with money. Why else would they bother with you?"

Both women flushed crimson, unable to meet Evelyn's piercing stare.

The truth stung.

Without fools like Sophia Blackwood willing to drag them to parties, they'd never set foot in elite circles.

Yet they lacked the beauty or talent to attract men like Nathan. Faced with actual aristocrats, their carefully rehearsed flattery fell flat.

The truly wealthy preferred disposable celebrities they could buy and discard.

Women like Madison came with messy family entanglements - too much trouble.

Evelyn's circle remained impenetrable, viewing these social parasites with well-deserved contempt. Stuck in limbo, they clung to easy targets like Cassandra.

Cassandra's face paled.

Her confidence wavered as Evelyn exposed her pathetic strategy.

But she wasn't the same frightened girl anymore. With her powerful family backing her now, she stood equal to Evelyn. Her father would give her anything to make up for lost time. Why should she fear Evelyn?

Unthinkable!

Chin lifting arrogantly, Cassandra met Evelyn's gaze head-on. "Don't flatter yourself, Evelyn. You're not invincible. Now that I've left Pacific Crest International, what hold do you have over me? My status equals yours now. Harm me, and my family will make you pay!"

This bold defiance sent a thrill through Cassandra.

Evelyn's lips curved in silent mockery.

Beside her, Isabella snorted derisively. "Your status? Equal to Evelyn's? What fantasy world are you living in?" She gestured contemptuously at the social climbers flanking Cassandra. "Someone should tell her the truth - her family's practically bankrupt. Even if your father lives another thirty years, he'll never amass half of Evelyn's wealth. You're not even in the same league!"

Isabella turned her scathing assessment to the two hangers-on.

"And you two - remind your new pet that adopted strays still have to know their place."

Cassandra's face twisted in outrage. "How dare you speak to me like that!"