Ste and Susanna nced over together. Approaching them was Sirena Patel, nked by two unfamiliar faces.


    Susanna''s mood soured instantly at the sight of Sirena.


    Sirena was besties with Urs and had a thing for Jaxon. Ever since Urs left two years ago, she and Ste had been at odds, though Sirena always found herself on the losing end in their encounters. Sirena strutted up to Ste, "How did you get in here? Got an invite?"


    Susanna quickly stepped in front of Ste, "An invite? Since when do you call the shots in the Patel family?"


    Sirena snorted withughter, "I may not be in charge, but I know for a fact she didn''t get an invite."


    The invites had been Sirena''s project with her mother. They''d sent one to the entire Larkin family, including Urs, deliberately leaving Ste''s name out.


    "Crashing for free food, Ste? Who gave you the audacity? And what in the world are you wearing? Dumped by Yorick and now you can''t afford a decent dress? Look at how pathetic you are!" Sirena''s voice dripped with disdain. The pastry section, filled with youngsters, watched the drama unfold with eager eyes.


    Susanna was fuming, "What she wears is none of your business. Have you looked at yourself?"


    Sirena''s dress was so tight it seemed to warp her figure, and Susanna wasn''t about to let that go unnoticed.


    Sirena snapped back, "Why are you butting in, Susanna? This is my home, my grandfather''s birthday bash. If you want to side with Ste, you might as well leave with her."


    Ste put down her te and faced Sirena, "Are you sure about that?"


    "Oh, what''s with that tone? Trying to threaten me? We didn''t invite someone as vile as you."


    Sirena had learned from Jaxon that Ste asked Tegan to go abroad and not to treat Urs. For some woman like her, she only felt disgusted.


    Ste smiled, nodding, "Indeed, I wasn''t invited. So, how did I get in?"


    As she finished the words, all people present exchanged mutual nces.


    Today was the birthday bash held by the Patel family, and everyone entered with invites. Even without being invited, those people would be extinguished guests.


    How did Ste, uninvited and seemingly ostracized by the Larkin family, manage to get into the Patel''s exclusive banquet?


    Sirenaughed mockingly, "Susanna must''ve sneaked you in, right? Doesn''t matter who did, I want you out. Now!"


    "What''s all this noise about?" Jaxon''s voice cut through the crowd.


    All eyes shifted to him and Yorick, both exuding an aura of untouchable grace, drawing the attention of every debutante in the room.


    At the sight of Jaxon, Sirena hurried towards him, "Why is she here today, Jaxon?"


    Given the Larkin family''s stance on Ste, Sirena felt no need to hide her contempt in front of Jaxon.


    Jaxon''s gazended on Ste. Seeing her in a simple business suit, his expression darkened instantly.


    Yorick also noticed Ste but quickly looked away, not willing to take another nce, clearly still upset over a previous incident at Silk-River Residences.


    Jaxon approached Ste, his voice low, "How did you get in? And why are you dressed like that?"


    Ste retorted, "Is there a problem with my outfit?"


    Jaxon replied, "What do you think?"


    At that moment, Jaxon couldn''t help but think Ste had been led astray by the family who had adopted her. Her defiance andck of decorum were embarrassing, to say the least.