Chapter 789

Eleanor feigned concern with practiced ease.

"Henry, Harrison is just an outsider, while Isabella is your one true daughter. You must consider this carefully. Don't break Isabella's heart for someone who doesn't belong—or you'll lose your real child."

Rosalind's patience snapped. "After everything you've done, you still refuse to show remorse? Instead, you corner others. Have you no shame?"

Isabella's lips curled into a cold smirk. "No matter what I've done, I am the Lancaster heiress. That will never change."

Rosalind was rendered speechless. "You—"

Victoria caught Rosalind's gaze and shook her head subtly. "Let it go."

With a frustrated huff, Rosalind crossed her arms.

Isabella turned back to her parents, her voice sharp. "Well? Have you decided? Who will it be—Harrison or me?"

A murmur rippled through the crowd. "Look, Ms. Harrison is coming down."

All eyes lifted toward the grand staircase, where the evening's true star descended.

Tonight, Harrison wore an ethereal white satin gown that draped flawlessly over her figure, accentuating her delicate collarbones. Her hair was elegantly swept up, revealing the graceful curve of her neck. She moved with effortless poise, as if floating on air.

Gasps of admiration followed her.

"Goodness, she's breathtaking!"

"Like a goddess untouched by the world."

"No wonder the Lancasters adore her. Beauty, grace, talent—she has it all."

"Compared to her, Ms. Lancaster seems... ordinary."

The whispers stung Isabella like a thousand needles. Once, she had been the undisputed jewel of high society. But Harrison's arrival had eclipsed her entirely, reducing her from a radiant rose to a mere shadow.

She couldn't accept it.

She despised Harrison.

Rosalind beamed. "Here she is!"

Harrison glided down the steps, the chandelier's glow casting a soft halo around her.

Henry and Victoria moved to her side.

"You look absolutely divine tonight," Victoria murmured.

Henry nodded approvingly. "Like royalty."

Harrison's natural beauty needed little enhancement—just a touch of makeup to highlight her luminous features.

She smiled warmly. "Thank you, Mom and Dad."

She had already begun calling them by those names.

Isabella's fists clenched. "Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?"

Harrison met her gaze, her clear eyes unflinching. "Ms. Lancaster, Ms. Eleanor, welcome."

Eleanor's smile was saccharine. "I knew you were special from the moment we met. And now, here you are—climbing your way into the Lancasters' favor."

The barb was obvious, but Harrison remained unshaken.

She arched a delicate brow. "If climbing is a skill, then you must be the master—after all, you've clung to this family for over twenty years."