Chapter 40

The room erupted in a cacophony of whispers and gasps. “No way, seriously?” “Lucrèce Couture? Brynn Everett, a fake heiress, is wearing Lucrèce Couture?”

Lucrèce Couture! It was the top custom-design brand in the country, catering exclusively to royalty and the ultra-rich! Maris Everett was stunned to hear that Brynn was wearing a Lucrèce Couture gown.

“Impossible!” Kylie Everett immediately declared, launching into a tirade. “It’s obviously a knockoff, just something that looks like Lucrèce Couture.”

But before Brynn could respond, the woman who had initially recognized the dress spoke up, “No, it’s definitely a Lucrèce Couture gown. My uncle is a master tailor at Lucrèce Couture; I know what I’m talking about.”

“Isn’t that… Miss Russo from the Eaglemont Russo family?” someone in the crowd murmured in surprise.

The Russo family might only be considered a minor player in Eaglemont, but they had excellent connections. Miss Russo’s uncles were all influential figures; her judgment was undoubtedly reliable. If she said Brynn was wearing a Lucrèce Couture gown, then it was true!

Realizing this, those who had been echoing Kylie’s disdain for Brynn now scrambled to shower her with compliments and flattery. “Oh, I knew it! Ms. Everett has such exquisite taste, she would never wear a fake.” “Exactly. Ms. Everett and that dress are a perfect match!”

Kylie, standing nearby, was so furious that her nails dug into her palms. Why does Brynn always manage to effortlessly steal the spotlight? She refused to accept it. Why did she always have to lose to Brynn? Kylie’s eyes burned with jealousy.

Just then, she noticed the invitation in Brynn’s hand. Seeing that it was different from her own, Kylie’s eyes lit up, and she spoke almost eagerly, “Even if the dress is real, the invitation surely isn’t, right?”

She paused deliberately, waiting for everyone’s attention to fall on Brynn’s invitation, before continuing smugly. “Brynn, why is your invitation different from ours?”

Because of the incident with the Suncrest Group, Kylie hadn’t been to the company for several days, so she was unaware that the Suncrest Group had sent Brynn a separate invitation. And the onlookers present weren’t very familiar with the Everett Group, so they didn’t know about it either.

Hearing Kylie’s words, everyone focused on Brynn’s invitation and indeed noticed that it looked different from theirs. “It is indeed. Ms. Everett’s invitation looks more refined than ours.”

“It must be fake!” “But she can afford Lucrèce Couture’s showstopper; how could she not have an invitation…”

The crowd buzzed with speculation, casting doubtful glances at Brynn’s invitation. Randy and Mrs. Everett knew the truth, but because Brynn hadn’t shown them any respect earlier, they remained silent.

Kylie, emboldened by the crowd’s support, gained confidence. “Brynn, if you couldn’t attend the event, you should have just stayed away. Why did you have to get a fake invitation?” Kylie said sarcastically, her tone dripping with malice.

“Although I’d love to help you, Brynn, but…” Before Kylie could finish, Declan Harper, who had taken extra care with his appearance, strolled over. “What’s going on here?”

Seeing that it was the young master of the Suncrest Group, Declan Harper, Kylie immediately rushed forward to complain, “Mr. Harper, someone is trying to sneak in with a fake invitation!”

Declan raised an eyebrow, glanced at Brynn, and then looked back at Kylie with a faint smile. “Oh? Is that so?” “Yes!” Kylie nodded, pointing at Brynn. “It’s her!”

Everyone knew that the young master of the Suncrest Group despised dishonesty. Brynn had thoroughly offended Declan on the day of the Suncrest Group’s annual celebration. She wouldn’t have an easy time in Portmare from now on!

Just as Kylie was reveling in her triumph, Declan spoke, “The invitation is real.” Declan’s words left Kylie stunned. She blurted out, “That’s impossible! Mr. Harper, you must be mistaken!”

Randy and Maris Everett felt a growing unease when they saw Declan appear. Seeing Kylie about to say something more, Randy quickly intervened, “That’s enough. Mr. Harper said the invitation is real, Kylie, stop making a scene.” “Yes, Kylie, Mr. Harper is surely right.” Maris added hastily.

But Kylie didn’t understand their meaning and continued anxiously, “Mr. Harper, you must not have looked at Brynn’s invitation carefully. Her invitation is different from ours. How can it be real?”

Seeing Kylie’s persistence, Declan couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. “Ms. Everett’s invitation… is indeed different from the others,” Declan said slowly.

Kylie, thinking that Declan had finally realized the invitation was fake, brightened up. “Yes, so her invitation must be…”

“Written by me,” Declan interrupted Kylie, smiling elegantly. “Naturally, it’s a bit different from the others.”