Tracy deliberately bit down on those words, making sure Yvonne understood what she really
meant.
Sure enough, Yvonne stiffened, her eyes flashing with guilt as she glanced timidly at Tracy.
Chase immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her like always. His tone was cold. “Tracy, cut the sarcasm. What, you think we’re dying to greet you?
“And let me remind you―today’s crowd is filled with industry elites. You? With just a bachelor’s degree? Don’t come here embarrassing yourself.”
Tracy’s lips curved into a frosty smile. “What I do is my business. What’s it to you? Does your family live on the beach, that you insist on minding tides that aren’t yours?”
Since they already saw her as the venomous sister, she didn’t mind playing the part.
Chase flushed red, his neck stiff with rage. “You-”
Jared’s face darkened. His voice was low and commanding. “Tracy, have you made enough of a scene? Everyone here is watching. Aren’t you ashamed?”
Again with the accusations of “making a scene.” She’d heard it so many times the words no longer even stung.
Meeting his eyes, Tracy replied steadily, “Why should I be? You’re not ashamed-why should I be? In your eyes, my dignity is worth nothing anyway, isn’t it?”
For years she’d never understood why her own blood brothers would side with the mistress’s daughter.
Now she knew. She lacked Yvonne’s performance skills, her carefully crafted charm.
But Tracy had never stooped to manipulation to maintain relationships. If something couldn’t be held onto honestly, she’d let it go.
“Tracy,” Jared snapped, voice rising, “this is an important event. Can’t you behave for once and stop causing trouble?”
“Sure.” Her lips twisted into a mocking smile. “Didn’t you just say I couldn’t possibly get an invitation? Then open those dog eyes of yours and see for yourself.”
1/4
17:03 Thu, Feb 19
Chapter 19 With So Many People Watching, Aren’t You Ashamed?
VPN
80
+10 Free Coins
She pulled out the invitation from her bag, held it up deliberately in front of Chase, then turned and scanned it at the entrance. With perfect composure, she walked into the venue.
So much for “family.” She was done expecting anything from them. Brothers or not, they’d become Yvonne’s lapdogs.
As for Chandler? She didn’t want him either. If Yvonne wanted to scrape up her discarded trash, then let her.
Watching Tracy breeze through, Yvonne’s fists clenched tight. She hadn’t expected Tracy to really have an invitation.
Hers had been secured only because of Jared’s connections. Where had Tracy’s come from?
Panic edged her voice as she tugged Chase’s sleeve. “Chase, where do you think Tracy’s invitation came from?”
He shook his head and turned toward Jared. “You didn’t give it to her, did you?”
“Of course not.” Jared pulled out his own invitation. “Come on. Let’s go in too.”
Inside, clusters of people mingled, all conversations revolving around AI medicine.
Tracy lingered at the entrance, waiting for Sam, but when she didn’t see him and had no acquaintances here, she simply slipped into a corner seat. She pulled out her phone and started gaming.
Halfway through, a familiar, unwelcome voice cut in. “Tracy, what are you doing here?”
She looked up. Chandler. His expression was already dark, his eyes brimming with impatience and annoyance.
“You’ve got nerve showing up here. Following me everywhere, suspicious of everything- what’s the point? Do you enjoy it?”
Just the sight of her made him tired. Why did she have to appear everywhere he went?
Tracy blinked in confusion. “What did I do?”
She was only playing a game. How did that offend him?
In his mind, her mere presence meant she was tailing him, waiting to make a scene. Even doing nothing was an offense. His arrogance was insufferable.
2/4
17:03 Thu, Feb 19
Chapter 19 With So Many People Watching, Aren’t You Ashamed?
VPN
80
+10 Free Coins
He grabbed her arm, tugging her toward the door. “This is a professional conference. We’re here to talk AI medicine. If you came to stir trouble, then leave.
“I don’t have time for your tantrums. If you offend the people here, even I won’t be able to cover for you.”
Tracy calmly pulled her arm free. “I’m here to attend, just like you. Not to make trouble.
“But you dragging me around in front of everyone-aren’t you afraid they’ll see? Or is it that you want them all to know I’m your wife?”
The man in front of her felt like a stranger.
In his eyes, her very presence was an inconvenience. Thinking of how foolishly she had once clung to him, Tracy almost wanted to slap her past self.
Wasting her love on a man like this, even to the point of developing stomach cancer-was it worth it?
Chandler’s face hardened as she pulled away. “Tracy, don’t push your luck. Go home.”
He might as well have said, Stop embarrassing me. That was all she ever was to him—an embarrassment.
Tracy let out a short laugh. “If no one knows about our relationship, then even if I embarrass myself, it has nothing to do with you. But if you keep grabbing at me like this in public, it’ll be impossible to explain away.”
Seeing her unmoved, his fury rose. He opened his mouth to snap back-but then he saw Yvonne walking toward them.
Immediately, his demeanor shifted. He turned his back on Tracy and strode toward Yvonne, his eyes suddenly tender, overflowing with warmth.
Ha. A cheating man who couldn’t hide his change of heart. Disgusting.
Nausea surged, her stomach roiling. Tracy bolted for the restroom and collapsed to her knees, vomiting until her insides felt like they were turning out.
She retched until her morning and lunch were gone, gagging so hard it felt like bile would follow.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. With trembling hands, she pulled it out.
Sam’s anxious voice came through as soon as she answered. “Tracy, are you here yet?”
3/4
17:03 Thu, Feb 19
Chapter 19 With So Many People Watching, Aren’t You Ashamed?
VPN
80
+10 Free Coins
She flushed the toilet, pressed a hand to her pale face, and forced her voice steady. “I’m here. Just felt a little sick and came to the restroom.”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Probably just ate something bad at lunch.” She pressed her palm to her aching stomach.
Sam hesitated. “If you’re not well, I can tell the organizers you can’t make it.”
4/4
17:03 Thu, Feb 19 a
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
