Unmasking the Heiress

Chapter 43Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

The evening's esteemed hosts, the Fosters, had made their entrance.

Evangeline, stunning in a black gown that made her porcelain skin glow, walked hand-in-hand with James. She was a vision, her figure and poise conjuring images of an enchantress from a fairy tale. The necklace she wore, with its massive blue gemstone flanked by diamonds, was a showstopper, leaving women in awe.

James, her companion, was the epitome of sophistication in his wine-red designer suit and gold-rimmed glasses, his handsome features rivaling the heartthrobs of Hollywood.

Together, they were a breathtaking pair, stealing the show effortlessly.

Julia's aura paled in comparison, and her envy boiled over. Why did Evangeline always have to outshine her? "Walt, look, isn't that Evangeline? What's she doing with the Fosters?" taunted Julia, noticing Walter's displeasure. A chilling dread settled over Walter.

So James was a Foster after all. That explained his confidence and audacity to challenge Walter head-on.

Julia was incensed. There was no way she would let Evangeline bask in the limelight.

"You two haven't even finalized your divorce yet. How dare she cozy up to another man? Where does that leave you? It's downright embarrassing." Her words were laced with outrage as if Evangeline's actions had smeared her own reputation. "Walt, shouldn't we give her a little nudge about her image? We wouldn't want her to drag the Gordon family name through the mud. It'd be such an ugly rumor."

Julia had turned into a self-appointed crusader for decency.

"No need," said Walter, his gaze smoldering. "If she's bold enough to act this way, she's prepared for the fallout."

How could Evangeline shamelessly flirt with another man for all to see?

He had expected the Foster family's heiress to show up, but to his shock, it was

James.

James had brought Evangeline along, a surprise that clenched Walter's fists tight.

Julia, catching sight of Walter's dark scowl, felt a twinge of glee..

This was it. Walter and Evangeline were finished. Why should a woman as flighty as Evangeline deserve Walter? Julia was convinced that she and Walter were the only true match in that world.

The crowd and the press were abuzz, trying to pin down the identity of James's stunning escort.

?

"Can you believe it? Mr. James Foster, of all people, a scion of the prestigious Foster family!"

"And his date, who is she? She's absolutely gorgeous. It's like she stepped out of a fairy tale, a mix of queen and princess!"

"Is she the next big thing, groomed by some entertainment tycoon, debuting at Victoria Garden House today? Just imagine, rubbing shoulders with the elite here could pave her way to stardom, as long as she steers clear of any bad deals." "Could be! However, what if she's the elusive Ms. Foster?"

*No chance! Ms. Foster, the heiress of the Foster dynasty, wouldn't fly under the radar. Just look at her, clinging to Mr. James Foster like she's his shadow..."

"Ms. Foster's always been an enigma, missing even from a bash like this!"

Everyone agreed on one thing: They could not picture the once-haughty Ms. Foster blending into the background.

Evangeline kept mum.

She never wanted the spotlight on her true identity. It would only spell trouble.

At this gala, the Foster family's grand finale auction piece was none other than the necklace gracing Evangeline's neck.

A strand of sapphires worth a fortune, its sale destined to support a charity medical fund out West.

Bidding kicked off at a cool 30 million dollars.

With Evangeline showcasing it, the crowd caught on-she was a model!

Her neck, as graceful as a swan's, was made for that sapphire masterpiece.

"Thirty-four million five hundred thousand dollars!"

"Thirty-seven million five hundred thousand dollars!"

Each new bid sent a jolt through the crowd, their excitement boiling over, torn between the allure of the stunning model and the coveted sapphire necklace. "Forty-five million dollars," announced James, his hand lifting the bidding paddle with effortless grace.

It was a Foster Group piece up for auction, meant to do nothing more than parade before the crowd before being reclaimed by its original owners.