When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 170

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Zacharias was held back, and with his mother and sister tugging at him, he couldn’t very well struggle in front of everyone. For a moment, he was stuck in an awkward stalemate.

Selina’s lips curled in a mocking smile. She flicked her gaze toward one side, and right on cue, a sharp female voice rang out clear across the hall. “What’s there to pity her for? She’s the one flaunting herself all day long, strutting around like a temptress. Of course, street thugs would target her–no wonder she lost her womb!

“If I were her, I’d be too ashamed to show my face, but she’s shameless, arriving late just to make a grand entrance!”

Four years ago, when Anneliese’s scandal had rocked the city, the Whites had kept her away from every banquet and gala since. She herself had hidden out of sight, unwilling to drag Zacharias down with her. Though she was the greatest victim, she had been forced to live with shame, as if the fault had been hers alone.

And wasn’t that exactly what Selina wanted? To ruin her, to brand her as a stain the White family would rather forget, so Selina could keep basking in the role of their one and only cherished daughter.

Anneliese’s lips curved in a cold, cutting smile. She picked up a glass of champagne from the towering display and strode straight toward Sonya White–one of Selina’s so–called “best friends,” who had long delighted in mocking her.

Sonya shrank back when she saw the chill in Anneliese’s eyes, but remembering it was Melanie’s birthday banquet, she lifted her chin again. Surely Anneliese wouldn’t dare cause a scene. “Anneliese, I was only speaking the truth, you–ah!”

The champagne tipped and spilled down from the crown of her head, soaking her hair and face in a sticky cascade. Sonya shrieked, clawing at her dripping face as the hall erupted in commotion.

“Enough! Anneliese, what are you doing?” Perseus stormed down the stairs, grabbing her wrist.

Selina swept in to comfort Sonya, her voice gentle, her posture perfect. “Sonya, are you all right? Anne, quickly apologize to her. Let’s help her upstairs to clean up.” She looked every bit the considerate elder sister smoothing things over.

Timothy, Melanie, and Christopher came hurrying as well. The lights in the hall blazed brighter, and every eye turned on Anneliese with disapproval.

She stood alone in the center, smiling still, though the smile never reached her eyes–like a

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9:38 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 170 Truths in Champagne

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rose blooming with thorns. She yanked free of Perseus‘ grip, clapped her hands sharply, and raised her voice. “Well, isn’t this rich.

“When I was being slandered and spat on just now, your whole family stood by on the stairs, enjoying the show. But the moment I rinse a filthy mouth, suddenly you can’t stay calm? This is how you treat your own daughter? Your own sister?”

Her biting words struck home. The White family’s faces darkened, stung by the truth she laid bare. Even the guests exchanged uneasy looks. Many of them had said less–than–kind things earlier, but not one White had spoken up for her. To treat one’s own flesh and blood so coldly was ugly to watch.

Perseus‘ face flushed with anger, but he forced a measured tone. “Anne, you’re the host tonight. How could you stoop to a guest’s level? We only lectured you so you’d know how to conduct yourself.”

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