From Shadows, A Queen Reclaims Her Reign

style. I was the silent founder of King Ventures, the source

ly accused me of being a gold-digger trying to crash the party. She

straight to voicemail. He was at the event, liv

deranged stalker" and that he had no daughter.

on I had protected, had just thrown me to the wolves.

ouse I paid for, I interrupted his party a

ix. Seize all assets. L

pte

ina

ce was sharp, cutting through the murmuring crowd like a knife. It wasn't loud, but it had a way of seizing attention.

s like polished obsidian, hard and unforgiving. Her perfectly sculpted face was contorted into a mask

ingly so. The pre-set judgment in her eyes was like a wall. It was clear

ng my skin. This was exactly what I hated about these events, the performative glamour, the quickness to judge. I just wanted to see my collection, unnoticed. My dressed-down attire, a simple black dress and mi

ad to fix this. He always had to fix things, even if these were the messes I usu

pecially not when he was at one of my events, living off my generosity. A flicker of unease, then annoyance, began to chip a

pposed to be here. I'm Evelina King." I watched for a flicker of recognition, a softe

ice dripping with sarcasm. "Did you flash a stolen invitation? Or pe

m one of the benefactors, and I arranged for my own entry." I even explained the payment method. "The fun

. But it was fleeting. Then, a harsh, braying laugh erupted from her throat. It was loud, theatrical,

ssion was pure venom. She took a step closer, invading my personal space. Her perfume, cloyingly sw

since I started funding him. The realization hit me like a cold wav

. And now you're claiming to be Edward's daughter? That's quite the story, sweetie. Edward wouldn't be caught dead with a daughter li

igger attempting to leverage her way in. My blood ran cold, a slow, burning rage igniting in my chest. This wa

rd's fiancée. Edward, who had always chased youth and beauty, and Kesha, who radiated an air of cheap ambition despi

gallery, subtly funded by me, while claiming it as his own. He had let her believe his "wealth" was self-made, that my company was his. And now, she was actively humiliating me, believin

wasted enough time on you, you little grifter. Guards!" Her voice r

ftly towards me. My mind raced, but my body felt heavy, rooted to the spo

rabbed my other arm, effectively pinning me. My brief struggle was futile against their combined strength. The

a public shaming orchestrated by my own family. I could hear Kesha's triumphant, scornful laugh echoing behin

d shut behind me, plunging me into complete darkness. The muffled sounds of the gala, the laught

answer his phone.