Araceli POV
"Is the party tonight to announce Eliezer's fiancée?"
"Silver Fang is ranked in the top ten in New York, and Eliezer is a talented man who is appreciated by many wealthy families. Which family's daughter is so lucky to be Eliezer's fiancée?"
Everyone was whispering and discussing.
The lights came on and illuminated my face.
Then, voices of amazement came.
"She's so beautiful!"
"Who is she? My goodness."
"My God, Eliezer's fiancée is gorgeous."
"Seriously, her body is perfect."
"Don't you guys think Eliezer's fiancée looks like the eldest daughter of Eclipse? I remember she was also stunningly beautiful. What's her name? Araci?"
I calmed down and looked at them. I noticed that Royce and Raphael were over there too.
"Crap! Isn't this the woman from yesterday?"
I nodded to Royce. His eyes were wide and full of disbelief.
Suddenly...
I felt a chill running down my spine.
I frowned, looked over, and met Raphael's cold eyes.
I pursed my lips and averted my gaze.
Eliezer stood on the steps, bowed slightly to the crowd, and then said, "Thank you all for coming to the party hosted by Silver Fang. Please allow me to introduce my cousin, Araceli Chancey."
After his words fell, the hall fell silent.
Then, the guests suddenly boiled over.
"Araceli Chancey? The woman who is known as the most beautiful woman in New York?"
"Did I mishear? Didn't Araceli die five years ago?"
"Is she really Araceli? We all know Araceli is dead! What the fuck is going on here?"
"Did Araceli think that by hiding for five years, we could forget all those scandals about her?"
I frowned slightly.
Countless people chattered unrestrainedly. Those voices came clearly into my ears.
Eliezer frowned and was about to speak.
I looked around and said to all the guests, "Since you all know me, I won't introduce myself."
I walked down the steps slowly and elegantly.
Everyone was staring at my face with rapt attention.
I smiled, "I know you all heard a lot of rumors about me five years ago. Some people said I was dead, but I'm not, and now I'm back. So, rumors are just rumors after all. I don't have to be afraid of these hypocritical words, do I?"
After hearing my words, some guests asked me questions.
"Ms. Chancey, why are you in Silver Fang?"
"Ms. Chancey, is it true that you had a one-night stand with a man back then? We all saw the pictures. Did you really get pregnant and give birth to two babies? Did those two babies really die?"
Everyone picked up their phones and videotaped me.
I expected it before I decided to attend the party.
I wasn't embarrassed and said coldly, "I'm not going to answer these personal questions today. I'm standing here to announce to everyone in New York that I'm back and that I no longer have anything to do with Eclipse."
Everyone was shocked.
I smiled decently and said, "Everyone, I want you to stop talking about my past. Otherwise, if your personal life is not as clean as a blank sheet of paper, I will definitely dig something up and post it online for everyone in the United States to laugh at you. Remember, don't get caught by me."
Everyone looked at each other, not looking convinced, but indeed a little scared.
I turned my head, looked at Raphael, raised my glass of wine, and nodded slightly.
This meant I admitted that the photo from five years ago was true, and I had a one-night stand with that man.
Raphael's eyes were filled with coldness.
I look into his eyes and smile tenderly.
The guests in the hall finally stopped gossiping about me.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I picked up my wine glass and was about to go over to Veronica.
A woman in a dark green dress suddenly walked out. "Ms. Chancey, is it true that you gave birth to twins five years ago? I think you just admitted it."
She took pictures of me frantically with her phone. The flash was so bright that I couldn't open my eyes.
I grabbed her phone and looked at the woman. I instantly recognized her as Melany's close friend, Shaylee Webley.
Shaylee looked at me with contempt in her eyes.
Shaylee sneered and said, "You should be thankful that those two babies died immediately after birth. Otherwise, your children would have been conclusive proof that you are a slut. You really shouldn't have come back, Araceli. You will regret in the future the decisions you make now and why you didn't die in the first place."
Her every word was like a knife cutting into my heart.
I raised my eyes and before I could say anything, a man's voice sounded behind me.
Royce walked over, his gaze falling on Shaylee's abdomen. "Excuse me, Ms. Webley, may I ask how many months pregnant you are?"
Shaylee frowned and immediately asked in return, "What do you mean?"
Royce smiled, "Your belly is so big, so you must be pregnant, right? Let me guess... four months?"
Shaylee's face turned red.
She gritted her teeth and said, "I'm not married! How can I be pregnant? Mr. Perton, I remember you're nearsighted, right? So why don't you wear glasses? Are you trying to look less like a nerd?"
Royce sneered, "Oh, I'm really sorry, Ms. Webley. First of all, I'm not nearsighted. Secondly, your belly looks much bigger than Ms. Chancey's, so I assumed you were pregnant. I wanted to tell you that pregnant women shouldn't drink too many cocktails. I saw that you had just drank a lot of alcohol, so I was a little worried that something had happened to you."
Shaylee stomped her feet in embarrassment, turned around, and walked into the crowd.
I smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Perton."
Royce clinked glasses with me. "Ms. Chancey, we met five years ago. Do you remember?"
I frowned slightly.
Five years ago, Royce was already a famous rich son in New York, so of course I met him.
I also vaguely remembered that my father and stepmother had tried to marry me to him back then.
I glanced behind Royce and saw Raphael approaching.
I smiled and said, "Mr. Perton, I'm sorry. I have a friend over there. I'll go over and talk to her. Excuse me."
Royce came close to me and kissed me on the cheek.
I saw Raphael's expression of some irritation.
Raphael said coldly, "Royce, are you so anxious to become her daughter's stepfather?"
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
Royce turned, smiling, and said, "Ms. Chancey said those are rumors."
I wouldn't let anyone else know Krish and Valeria were my children for a while, so I didn't bring them to this party today. However, Raphael knew that I had a daughter.
He was in no position to keep my secret.
I raised my eyes, looked at Raphael, and said, "Mr. Lancaster, I'd like to speak with you alone, if you don't mind."
Raphael turned around and walked to the balcony.
I followed Raphael out onto the balcony.
He and I instantly attracted the attention of many people.
"Did Araceli make Raphael fall in love with her as soon as she returned?"
"Raphael has rejected so many daughters of big packs. Why would he be interested in this woman who had sex scandals?"
I didn't care what they said and just followed Raphael.
Every time I went to a party five years ago, there were women who were jealous of me who secretly cursed me behind my back. I didn't care at all.
They couldn't change anything, except to nag me incessantly like crazy old ladies.
Why should I worry about what they think of me?
There was a night breeze blowing from the balcony with a chill.
My hair was blown up by the wind, so I reached up and tucked it behind my ear and said, "Mr. Lancaster, let's make a deal."