Chapter 690:

Elyse, unfazed, replied curiously, “I should be the one asking you that. Aren’t the Bentley and Benson families supposed to be enemies? How did you get an invitation?”

Thea jutted her chin out proudly. “Why would I need an invitation? I’m Forrest’s friend. If I want to attend a Bentley family event, I can just walk in.”

“Then you must be quite close with the Bentley family, huh?” Elyse said with a smirk.

Not wanting to waste her breath on Thea, Elyse turned to look for Victoria. However, Thea blocked her path, her face contorted with anger. “I answered your question, so you should answer mine! Tell me. How did you get in?”

“I was invited unexpectedly,” Elyse answered frankly. “But it was so sudden I didn’t have time to dress up properly.” Besides, Elyse knew Victoria’s invitation wasn’t for casual chitchat. Dressing lavishly would be pointless, especially since she might be drenched in red wine—Victoria and Rickey hadn’t exactly parted on good terms.

Thinking of this, Elyse looked down at her burgundy dress. To avoid accidents, she had chosen it specifically; any red wine spills wouldn’t show.

Smiling, she swelled with pride at her cleverness. Thea continued to badger her, but Elyse, lost in thought, didn’t respond.

Pissed off at being ignored, Thea concluded, “You snuck in, didn’t you?” she snapped, lips curled into an ugly sneer. “What are you scheming? Confess!”

Elyse glanced at Thea indifferently. Thea’s fury stemmed from a deep-seated fear—perhaps she was terrified Elyse might steal Forrest’s attention.

Smirking, Elyse reveled in taunting Thea. “I’m planning to do something naughty with Forrest,” she teased, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. “What? Think you can stop me?”

Thea’s face contorted in anger, her teeth clenched.

The Bentley family, a formidable Cambape clan, had long been at odds with the Bensons, and Thea had worked hard to establish herself within the Benson family. Usually, even with conflicting interests, the clans remained civil. But over twenty years ago, Rickey’s scandalous elopement ignited a fierce feud. Despite the passage of time, the Bentleys had never forgiven the Bensons, and reconciliation seemed impossible. So, when Thea befriended Forrest, the Bensons dared to hope for a resolution. Thea carried the weight of these hopes, enduring Forrest’s cruelty because she believed she could mend the rift. The last thing she needed was Elyse interfering.

Panic flared in Thea’s eyes as she urgently demanded, “What the fuck do you plan to do to Forrest? He’s still a minor! You’d better not try anything!”

Elyse, her curiosity piqued, asked with a playful smirk, “What? Are you planning something with him? You said he’s underage, but you’re not exactly young yourself. Are you planning to rob the cradle?”

Thea rolled her eyes, exasperation evident. “Stop being ridiculous! I simply refuse to let you cause trouble. Leave now, or I’ll call security!”

…