Chapter 285 Helena Made the First Move
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Clarissa’s face turned ashen. She feared the reporters would pounce on her with questions. In a flash, she turned and headed for the entrance.
But a few wealthy girls, clearly itching to make her uncomfortable, stepped into her path. “Clarissa, didn’t you say Zion wasn’t coming? But they say that’s him out there.”
The others stared at Zion, their eyes wide with shock. “Wow, if I had known the Lockhart heir looked like that, I might’ve tried a little harder.”
“He’s with a woman, though. Ouch. That’s gotta sting,” one of them laughed sarcastically before turning to leave.
“Clarissa, what’s going on? Why’s Zion here with … another woman?”
Clarissa sneered, her lips curling. “Hmph, just a nobody–a woman who doesn’t even deserve his time.”
Her friends exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to push her further. They silently followed her into the venue.
Security at the event was tight. Yvette Wisher flashed her invitation without hesitation.
“Clarissa … even if that woman isn’t ‘official, if Zion brought her in with all these people here, it won’t be good for you,” one of Clarissa’s friends whispered.
Clarissa’s expression remained stone cold. Once inside, she raised an eyebrow. “Just wait. They don’t have an invitation. There’s no way they’re getting in.”
The staff only recognized invites, not faces.
Besides, Zion’s identity had been kept under wraps for years. Few even knew who he really was.
Some of Clarissa’s friends were taken aback. “Zion didn’t get an invitation from the chamber? But … he’s the heir to the Lockhart Group!”
Clarissa let out a low, mocking laugh but didn’t bother to explain.
She’d already taken care of the staff, ensuring they would deny Zion entry. She had made it clear that Zion wouldn’t show–Wade was supposed to be the one coming.
But with Wade’s health declining, there was no way he would show up to an event like this.
The business world was now in the hands of the younger generation.
“I heard Shawn’s coming tonight,” one girl said, her voice laced with awe. “He’s on fire right now. People are saying he might even surpass Sylvester, create a new legend in business.”
“Shawn’s incredible,” another added. “At his age, he’s already accomplished so much. There’s no way most people will ever reach his level.”
A few socialites gathered near the entrance, eagerly waiting just to catch a glimpse of Shawn.
It was clear that Shawn had become the person everyone wanted to see.
Clarissa was no different.
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Chapter 285 Helena Made the First Move
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“Sylvester was such a tragedy,” one friend sighed. “If he were still around, Zion’s worth would be skyrocketing by now. The Lockhart Group would be even bigger. It’s a shame–they’ve been sliding down these last few years.”
“Doesn’t mean we can underestimate it,” another woman said, shaking her head. “The Lockharts are still the top dogs. No one can touch them–not even Shawn. He might shine with the Wagner Group backing him, but it’ll take years before he can catch up.”
Clarissa narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed firmly on the entrance.
Zion and Kelly still hadn’t shown themselves.
She was waiting, eager to see their downfall.
On the red carpet, Zion was in full performance mode.
He had Kelly on his arm, adjusting her hair one moment, speaking to her with a laugh the next. Every movement, every pose was a carefully planned spectacle, designed to capture every angle perfectly for the cameras. He stood like a model, posing with precision, all smiles.
The crowd and reporters were in a frenzy. Zion was spoiling her, there was no doubt about that.
“Mr. Lockhart, who is this lady with you? Didn’t you already have a fiancée?” a reporter asked.
Zev smiled at the cameras, his demeanor smooth and composed. “This is my wife. We’ve been married for quite a while now.”
He made sure to show off his wedding ring, feigning surprise. “My ‘fiancée‘? I’m not sure who you’re talking about.”
The media fell silent, stunned. Zion was married? What did that mean for Clarissa? Had she been using her supposed future status to climb the social ladder all these years?
“Well, I’ve heard a few rumors lately,” Zev continued with a grin. “People pretending to be the future Mrs. Lockhart to make deals. My real wife is a doctor. She saves lives. She’s not part of the social scene. So if anyone’s using her name to make a deal, beware. It might just be a scam.” Zev casually dropped a lesson on fraud prevention.
Oscar and Melody arrived a little later, only to find Zev and Kelly still posing on the red carpet.
Melody shook her head, muttering under her breath. “Your cousin’s like a peacock. The minute Kelly’s around, he just starts showing off.”
He was perfectly normal if Kelly wasn’t around.
Oscar chuckled. “He’s a lot like my aunt. I heard she went after Sylvester back in the day. No one thought she had a chance–she was the rebel, the one no one’s parents liked. My uncle used to say she pulled every trick to win Sylvester over. Some of them, he said, were … pretty embarrassing.”
Melody’s eyes widened. “Wait, your aunt was the one who chased your uncle?”
Oscar nodded. “Yeah. My uncle was cold, like he wasn’t interested in any woman. My aunt said the only way to catch someone like him was to wear him down–to be relentless.”
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Melody stifled a giggle.
Oscar walked over to Zion, grinning. “You planning on going in anytime soon?”
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Zev raised an eyebrow, looking relaxed. “No rush, no rush. We’re waiting for someone.”
It wouldn’t do to enter without an invitation–it would be too embarrasg.
“Here they are,” Zev said, his gaze locking on a car that had just stopped at the entrance.
Caden, with his brother Sidney and the new Chamber of Commerce president, stepped out and began walking toward them.
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