"Christine, you've gotten even prettier!"
Mrs. Watson immediately spotted the most striking figure in the crowd-the Wood family's niece.
Her willowy waist, long legs, and almond-shaped eyes shimmered with radiance. Her stunningly beautiful face showed not a single flaw.
The Woods and Watson families were long-standing friends. Mathew held Christine in high regard, often inviting her to their home even after her family's bankruptcy.
But ever since this girl became engaged to the then-ordinary young man from the Caffrey family, Mathew had harbored no fondness for the Caffrey surname.
He always felt the Caffrey family had snatched his granddaughter-in-law away. So at the Watson family's private banquet, how could Neil possibly receive an invitation?
Not kicking him out would already be considered polite!
Christine affectionately linked arms with Elise. "Aunt Elise, you're teasing me again."
She presented the prepared gift. "This is a small token for Grandpa Mathew."
Elise patted her hand fondly. "How thoughtful."
Then she turned to greet other guests.
"Oh my, what did Mrs. Caffrey just present? Why not let us have a look?"
Several socialites with sour expressions approached.
The speaker was Olivia Murphy, Christine's former arch-rival.
Christine's luminous eyes darkened. Ever since her family's bankruptcy, these upper-class socialites had addressed her only as Mrs. Caffrey, deliberately omitting her given name. Openly and covertly, they never missed an opportunity to mock her as a fallen phoenix.
But at the Watson family's private banquet, she didn't want to draw too much attention or burn bridges.
She restrained herself, offering only a slight nod. "It's just a small token of my appreciation. Nothing valuable-certainly nothing to compare with what Miss Murphy has given."
Olivia smirked smugly. Of course it couldn't compare! The Wood family was bankrupt-how could they possibly measure up to the Murphys?
She had always despised Christine's pretentious airs. The more dazzling Christine once was, the more wretched she was now.
Had Olivia not been cautious about attending such gatherings, she would have seized the chance to mock this woman long ago.
"True enough. After all, Mrs. Caffrey lives off her husband's money."
"I hear Mr. Caffrey's first love has miraculously returned from the dead-what fantastic news!" another young heiress remarked with thinly veiled sarcasm.
Olivia stared intently at that porcelain-smooth face, searching for even a flicker of emotion. But Christine maintained her faint smile, refusing to engage.
Olivia seethed inwardly, her desire to tear away Christine's mask growing stronger by the second.
As she lifted her gaze toward an approaching figure, the corners of her mouth curled upward. "Oh my, Mrs. Caffrey, it seems your husband's first love has arrived!"
Everyone turned to look, their eyes following her gaze. Christine's eyes glowed with a faint, eerie light.
This was her first time seeing the first love in her husband's heart in person-even more captivating than in photographs.
Before her engagement to Neil, she had heard countless tales of his love story with his first love.
What love could be more moving than separation by life and death?
Vivian stopped at a distance and spotted Christine as well.
"Oh my God, Vivian, you're actually alive!" Olivia gasped dramatically, drawing several curious glances.
Many had seen Sofia's post, but encountering Vivian in person so soon still piqued their curiosity.
"Vivian, how could rumors spread that you passed away from illness? That's outrageous!"
Vivian smiled calmly. "I did have a serious car accident abroad. My family took me to another state for treatment. I spent half a year recovering in the hospital. I have no idea how the story got twisted along the way."
The accident was real-but the death rumor? That was her doing.
She took a step toward Christine first. "You must be Mrs. Caffrey. Thank you for taking such good care of Neil all these years."
The woman who had seemed gentle moments ago now spoke with hidden barbs.
Christine scoffed. "You're welcome. From now on, Neil is yours to take care of."
The moment the words fell, the surrounding area went dead silent.
Eyes darted back and forth. What was happening? Was the legitimate wife about to clash with the former girlfriend?
That brief exchange carried explosive implications.
Olivia poured fuel on the fire. "Oh dear, Mrs. Caffrey, how could you say that? How could you let another woman take care of your husband?"
"Didn't you all see the photos yesterday?" Christine retorted. "Taking care of a rotten cucumber-doesn't that disgust you?"
"You!"
Vivian's eyes nearly shot flames. She never imagined Neil's wife would be shameless enough to bring this up in front of everyone.
"Mrs. Caffrey, please don't misunderstand. Neil and I are completely innocent! What we had is in the past. Don't read too much into it."
Her feeble defense won over many sympathizers.
"We all know what kind of person Vivian is. Christine, I advise you not to spread rumors!"
"Exactly! Vivian barely escaped death and finally returned, yet some people are so petty they can't stand to see her doing well!"
Christine didn't get angry-she laughed instead.
She pulled her phone from her silver clutch, opened the photo album, zoomed in, and thrust it in front of everyone.
"Is this the 'spotless reputation' you're talking about?"
The phone screen glowed at maximum brightness, zoomed in on the moment Vivian's pink lips pressed against Neil's face.
The crowd exchanged stunned glances and fell into silence.
Christine scanned each face, thoroughly satisfied with their expressions. "Did you get a good look? Want me to print it in full color and high definition tomorrow? I can mail a copy to each of you so you can savor this 'innocence' properly."
Vivian trembled with rage. "You. Mrs. Caffrey! What on earth are you trying to achieve by fabricating this photo?!"
"Well, well-maybe the photo is fake after all."
Christine's slender fingers flicked the screen. "What about this one? The toasting photo-is that photoshopped too? And this one? All photoshopped? Heh, and this Miss Smith here appears in the shot as well-did I photoshop her in too?"
Vivian was completely flustered. "I. I. That's not me. It really isn't me."
Christine cut her off, her voice firm and merciless.
"A mistress is a mistress. Stop pretending to be some pure, innocent white lotus!"
****
Henry and Edward arrived quite late.
Henry tilted his head. "It's pretty lively up ahead. Edward, let's go take a look."
"No."
Edward had no interest in such gatherings.
His gaze drifted casually across the room, catching a glimpse of a slender figure. Just as he was about to focus on her, an elderly man with white hair blocked his view.
"Edward, you've finally arrived."
