As the banquet proceeded, Debra moved beside Drake, listening to his introduction of the top businessmen in Orkgate.


    The Lowe family''s influence stretched far and wide, and every businessman in the room sought to maintain his favor. Even though the Sharp family was hosting the event, it was clear who trulymanded respect. Debra leaned in and whispered, "Youmand such respect here, don''t you?"


    Drake smirked, "Your ex-husband holds his own, too."


    Debra followed his gaze and spotted Juan across the room, effortlessly mingling with a cluster of prominent businessmen. His calm demeanor, perfectly measured smile, and poised stance reflected the kind of power that didn''t need to shout to be recognized. Raised in the Nichols family, he had learned how to navigate power dynamics as if born to it.


    As Debra studied Juan from afar, Kale approached Drake with urgency.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "Miss Sharp is upstairs."


    "Make sure she doesn''t cause any trouble."


    "Yes, boss."


    But before he could go into action, a spotlight illuminated the grand staircase, drawing every eye in the room to the figure descending gracefully.


    Dressed in a champagne-colored gown, Yvonne glided down the stairs gracefully. Her wless makeup gave her an ethereal beauty. Her presencemanded attention.


    "Isn''t that Miss Sharp? What is she doing here?"


    "I thought Drake had cut ties with her. Things are getting interesting."


    Whispers rippled through the room, but Yvonne paid no attention. She marched down despite the pain in her legs and forehead.


    It took a great effort just to wear


    high heels. Yet, determined to


    present herself beautifully, she''d


    appliedyers of foundation and et


    concealer to cover the wounds The pain was excruciating, but she still wore a smile.


    When it came to looks, no one in Orkgate couldpare to Yvonne. As the only publicly recognized daughter of the Sharp family, she had status on her side.


    After doing so much for Drake, she refused to be cast aside like an unwanted pawn. In her mind, only she deserved to stand by Drake''s side.


    At the far end of the room, Conrad''s face darkened. "What is she doing here? Who let her down?"


    The servant next to him trembled, stammering, "Miss Sharp threatened to jump from the second floor if we


    didn''t help her get dressed. ve


    no choice."


    had


    Conrad shot a nce toward Drake, whose expression had grown colder by the second.


    "Get her back upstairs. Don''t let here out until the banquet is over," Conrad ordered sharply.


    But before the servant could act, Yvonne had already reached Drake and Debra. The room fell into an anticipatory silence.


    Yvonne''s infamous temper was well known, and the tension in the room thickened like a storm about to break.


    Debra offered a polite smile. "Miss Sharp."


    To Yvonne, however, that smile was a taunt, a reminder of everything she had lost.