Well, well.
It was not that she was bragging nor was she trying to provoke Venice.
But she understood something very clearly: No matter what she did, Venice would always see her as the villain in her own story.
If she succeeded, it would be called scheming.
If she remained silent, it would be called pretending.
If she fell, it would be deserved.
There was no winning that narrative. So she might as well enjoy her evening.
Yeri returned Venice's venomous gaze with a faint smile and paid her no heed.
Just as Yeri turned her attention back to the guests, she felt another gaze.
Elder Madam Keir stood not far away, her eyes narrow and sharp, studying Yeri's every movement as if she were ready to prick her with a needle the moment she slipped.
Minutes earlier, the old matriarch had quietly pulled her aside.
"You are now standing beside a Keir," she had said evenly. "Every word you speak reflects on the family. Remember the names within our circle. Do not embarrass us."
Yeri nodded respectfully, she was not about to disrespect an elder.
Besides, the reminder was only natural.
A family like the Keirs had their own doctrines, their own invisible rules carved into generations.
As long as those rules did not harm her principles, following them was not difficult.
So she straightened her posture and tried to remember all the people introduced to her.
It was only when they gradually moved toward the Zhi side of the guests that Yeri allowed her shoulders to relax slightly.
There were familiar faces.
Vince Marion, who had once invited her to his birthday celebration. A few business partners of her father. Some distant relatives.
Then Nina pulled her aside with Levi half absorbed in whatever game was glowing on his phone screen.
As they were chatting, she saw another face that made her temples throbbed instantly.
"Why is Daisy here?" Yeri muttered under her breath, nudging Nina lightly.
Nina blinked. "I was shocked too. Apparently her family has some connections and managed to secure an invitation."
Yeri's mouth twitched.
It was not surprising that students from SC University were present given many of them came from elite families.
But Daisy could very well become good buddies with the neighborhood aunties who squat around all day, trading gossip like it is a competitive sport.
As if summoned by fate itself, Daisy's eyes darted around the hall and landed directly on Yeri.
Before anyone could stop her, Daisy nearly sprinted over.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Yeri, congratulations!" she burst out without breathing. "Do you have any idea how shocked I was when I saw your name on the invitation? I thought it was just a coincidence, someone with the same name as yours! I even wanted to ask you, but then I heard you took leave from school!"
She continued in one long sentence that refused to end.
"By the way, we came late, I'm so sorry, the media caused traffic outside! Anyway, imagine my shock when I confirmed it was really you! Yeri, you're amazing! So that person I saw with you outside our school… it was really Young Master Keir? No wonder he had that 'Shin Keir physique'! It turns out it was actually him!"
Yeri "…."
She did not even know which part to respond to first.
"And don't worry!" Daisy added proudly. "I'll make sure everyone at school knows this good news!"
Don't worry? No, it's rather the opposite.
Before she could stop her, Daisy had already pulled out her phone.
Nina leaned closer and gasped. "You posted it in the class group chat already?"
Daisy lifted her chin proudly. "Of course! Look!"
Yeri glanced at the screen and the class group chat was exploding.
Notifications stacked endlessly. Shocked emojis. Screenshots of the invitation. Wild speculation.
"You took a picture in front of the display screen at the entrance?" Nina blurted out. "Do you think this is a tourist attraction?"
Daisy rolled her eyes dramatically. "It's proof! I can't exactly drag Yeri and Young Master Keir for a picture, can I? At least the display screen has a clear photo of them!"
Nina opened her mouth, then closed it.
She had a point.
"Now that Yeri's here, let's take a photo together!" Daisy declared excitedly, instantly switching her phone to selfie mode.
The two exchanged a look of resignation.
After all, even if Daisy had not announced it, news would spread through school sooner or later.
"Wait!" Daisy suddenly said. "Levi! Get over here!"
Levi looked up from his phone, confused.
Before he could protest, Daisy grabbed his sleeve and dragged him into frame. His game character probably died a tragic digital death in that moment.
"Smile!" Daisy chirped.
Across the hall, Venice had been preparing to approach Yeri again but her steps slowed, her attention shifted, heartbeat quickened upon seeing Hadi Keir not far away.
He was speaking casually with his brother Hiro. The two looked relaxed, their resemblance clear yet distinct. Hadi carried a slightly wilder air, while Hiro appeared composed and observant.
Then there's the woman beside Hadi with her arm wrapped elegantly around his.
Hiro addressed her with easy familiarity. "Sister-in-law."
Venice bit her lip, so this was Hadi's wife. This was the first time she had seen her up close.
Serenity Keir.
She exuded a sophisticated elegance that was almost dangerous. The kind of woman who could slap you and then ask gently if your cheek hurt.
Perhaps discovering Yeri's fiancé was Shin Keir and now seeing Hadi Keir yet she couldn't even stand beside him, Venice felt something tilt inside her heart.
Emboldened, she reached for a champagne glass from a passing attendant and walked toward the trio.
"Hello," she greeted smoothly.
Hadi turned, for a brief second, surprise flickered across his face.
"I'm Yeri's cousin," she added quickly, smiling brightly. "Since our families will be close in the future, I thought I should introduce myself."
"Nice to meet you." Hiro nodded politely, his interest lasted precisely two seconds before fading into courtesy.
Hadi, however, studied Venice differently.
Her boldness amused him, her playful tone, her deliberate eye contact.
He gave her a small flirtatious wink and Venice's face warmed instantly. She lowered her gaze, pretending to be shy.
Then she looked toward Serenity and without warning, Serenity sneezed right at her face.
Venice stiffened.
Although Serenity had lifted her handkerchief quickly, it was still awful.
"Ah," Serenity murmured softly, blinking her watery eyes. "I smell something unpleasant. My nose stings. I think I'm allergic."
Hadi glared at his wife. "What are you allergic to this time?"
Serenity turned to Venice with a gentle, apologetic expression.
"I think it's your perfume," she said in a small voice. "But it's not your fault. You're not upset, are you?"
Venice forced a smile so tight it nearly cracked.
"It's fine," she replied stiffly, reaching out to accept Serenity's extended hand.
And then Serenity burst into tears.
Venice went pale, utterly dumbfounded.
Hadi hissed under his breath. "What the hell are you crying for? It's just an allergy."
Serenity sniffed pitifully. "I can't control my tear ducts. It must be the wind."
Hadi stared at her. "Wind?"
How could there be wind indoors?
Hadi was already itching to scold her if not for the nearby guests already turning their heads.
Even more flustered was Venice with Serenity directly looking at her, eyes shimmering with tears as if deeply wronged.
Whispers began spreading like spilled ink in water.
Venice's composure wavered, she looked at Hadi instinctively for help or something.
But at that exact moment, Serenity gently leaned closer to Hadi, her hand tightening ever so slightly around his arm.
Venice's eyes reddened, the helplessness, humiliation and resentment all pressed against her chest.
Hadi sighed feeling sorry.
"Hiro," he said quietly, "look after her for a moment."
He meant Serenity.
But as if struck by a fresh thought, Serenity said with an innocent expression to Venice.
"This lady, why are you staring at my husband like that? Is there something wrong with his face?"
The words were gentle, the implication was not.
Hadi's expression turned ugly. "What nonsense are you spouting this time?"
More heads turned and Venice felt heat rush to her scalp. "I wasn't- "
Serenity blinked again, clutching her handkerchief. "I'm sorry. I'm sensitive... maybe I misunderstood."
Venice couldn't stand it anymore as she lowered her head stiffly. "Excuse me."
Then she hurried away, steps unsteady, dignity barely intact.
Unbeknownst to her, Serenity was an expert at playing the victim. It was precisely why Elder Madam Keir had never fully believed Hadi whenever he raged about divorce and called his wife poisonous.
This, however, was only a small episode.
Amid the celebration, another woman stepped into the hall.
Her hair was perfectly styled. Her black dress cut sharply against the warm gold lights, her makeup was flawless.
From afar, she appeared every bit the refined lady of a powerful household.
But her eyes were unsettled.
"Isn't that Madam Keir?"
"I haven't seen her in a long time."
"Wasn't she unwell?"
"She was always following the old matriarch… I heard she went on a vacation."
"Why is she wearing black? Isn't that… inauspicious?"
Guests who recognized her quickly approached, offering polite greetings. Some even fawned yet she ignored them all. Simply as if they did not exist.
The slighted guests retreated, awkward and offended.
She restlessly scanned the crowd and landed on Shin Keir, who naturally stood out.
"My dear son," she called out sweetly as she approached, giving him a slow once-over. "You arranged all this without telling me?"
Shin turned with indescribable expression, looking at her coldly.
Meanwhile, the moment she saw her daughter-in-law, Eleanor, the old matriarch looked like she'd seen a ghost.
A chill ran through her body. Panic rose like icy water in her veins and her grip tightened around her fan.
Who took that unhinged woman out of the sanatorium?
Before Shin could step forward, another figure moved.
Master Keir stood in front of his son like a shield, blocking Eleanor's path.
"Eleanor," he said firmly, grabbing her wrist. "Come with me."
Eleanor blinked, her expression cleared, recognizing him fully.
"Husband!" she cried.
She rushed into his arms as if she had been separated from him for centuries. She laughed, cried and clung to him with desperate intensity.
Guests stared in disbelief.
Master Keir's face tightened, but he endured it.
From a distance, a certain person watched the unfolding chaos with growing satisfaction.
Calin's smile deepened slowly.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
Sure enough, Eleanor pulled back from her husband's embrace and her eyes darted toward Shin as she screamed.
"I do not agree with this engagement!"