Chapter 394

Mrs. Bishop pressed a hand to her heart. The emcee had invited Mrs. Stapleton to
the stage. What was Yvonne doing up there? Did she think no one in the room knew who the real Mrs. Stapleton was? By forcing herself into the spotlight like this, she was just confirming what Penelope had said earlier that she was coveting another woman’s husband, that she wanted to be the other woman. Who in their right mind would willingly invite that kind of reputation?
“Hey, what is she doing up there?”
“Yeah, she’s not Mrs. Stapleton!”
“No wonder Mrs. Stapleton called her shameless. She’s putting her desperate ambitions on full display!”
“First, she was glued to Mr. Stapleton’s side this morning, and now this? She must be insane with her desire to be a mistress!”
Mrs. Bishop took a deep breath. Some things could be done in secret, but not out in the open. Whispers were one thing, but this created a scandal. By stepping on that stage, Yvonne had confirmed everyone’s suspicions.
Amid the murmurs, Yvonne finished her speech. She appeared poised and graceful, and in the swell of applause, she felt certain she had made the right move.
Just then, the house lights dimmed, and a single spotlight hit the red carpet at the front of the room.
“And now, please welcome Mr. Theodore Stapleton to the floor for the first dance.” As the emcee finished, Theodore walked into the spotlight.
Yvonne’s heart began to race again. Theodore was waiting for her. It was time for her to join him…
But then the spotlight swung away, landing on Penelope, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, dressed in a breathtaking strapless red gown. She smiled, looking radiant and regal, stunning the entire room.
The light stayed on her as Theodore emerged from the shadows and walked toward her. Step by step, his eyes were fixed on her, and only her.
As the music began, he took her hand, placed his other arm around her slender waist, and leaned down to kiss her forehead before they began to glide across the floor.
They were the center of the universe, but every so often, guests would glance back at Yvonne on the stage. She stood frozen, still in her wine-stained dress, looking pathetic and ridiculous. A clown.
“Now that is the real Mrs. Stapleton.”
At that moment, everyone in the room shared the same thought.
Timothy returned to his seat. Norton glanced at the empty glass in his hand and clicked his tongue.
shape to waste a good glo
wine.”
Timothy pouted. “It was your idea. Why didn’t you do it?”
“She knows who I am.”
“If she’s not an idiot, she’s already figured out we did it on purpose.”
On the dance floor, Penelope rested her head on Theodore’s shoulder, trying hard not to laugh out loud.
“How did you know Yvonne was going to pull something?” she whispered.
The truth was Theodore had shown up with a key not long after she’d been locked in, bringing a new
evening gown with him. She hadnet
been ready for a while but decided to let Yvonne continue her charade. It gave her a chance to relax with a cup of coffee. And since Yvonne was working so hard, Penelope felt she deserved a moment in the spotlight. So, she had the emcee add the last-minute speech for Mrs. Stapleton, and Yvonne, as expected, had foolishly walked right into the trap. She wanted Yvonne’s desperate ambitions laid bare for everyone to see.
Theodore secretly pinched her waist. When she shot him a glare, he just shook his Updates are released by ~net
head and smiled.
“You didn’t know I have a third eye?”
“Where?”
“On you.”
Even when he was surrounded by guests, making small talk and clinking glasses a part of his attention had always been on her. He had seen what was happening and stepped in just in time.