The person who appeared was dressed in a pure white suit. His features were as handsome as a painting and his eyes, soft as a gentle breeze, landed on Narissa.

It was her older brother, Evan. Behind him stood a group of friends, including Liora, who was dressed in a pristine white gown. She looked fresh, graceful and charming, with a soft and sweet demeanor.

As she observed, Narissa saw Drake, her ex-boyfriend, standing by Liora. He looked at her with gentle affection, smiling as he whispered something to her.

Seeing this scene, Narissa felt her mind momentarily go blank. Before she could say anything, she heard Bella crying as she rushed up to Liora, accusing her, “Liora, your sister is so mean. I just asked why she didn’t bring any jewelry to the banquet and she hit me. She even said I’m the daughter of a mistress. Do I deserve to be hit because my mother was a mistress?”

Narissa immediately wanted to rebut, but before she could, Liora spoke up first, her eyes reddening. “Narissa, even if what Bella said wasn’t right, you can’t hit people.”

Narissa looked coldly at Bella. "If she hadn’t insulted my mother, I wouldn’t have hit her."

Upon hearing this, Drake frowned, a trace of annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Narissa, that’s Liora’s friend and the daughter of the Thorne family. Even if she was wrong, you shouldn’t have hit her in front of everyone."

Surrounded by countless curious and judgmental gazes, Narissa clenched her fists, feeling isolated and cold inside. Just as she was about to say something, a figure stepped in front of her.

It was Evan, his handsome and gentle face showing an apologetic smile as he turned to Bella. "Narissa has been pampered since she was young, so I apologize on her behalf."

Narissa's expression immediately stiffened as she glared at him. "Evan, I'm not at fault. It's her that has a filthy mouth."

Evan's smile remained soft, but his eyes turned cold. Sering this, Narissa's mind cleared in that moment, realizing that her brother was angry. But why?

He parted his lips with a neutral smile and spoke emotionlessly, "Narissa, it's all the same."

Narissa gritted her teeth, her gaze fixed on his calm yet distant face, her heart tightening with pain.

Upon hearing his words, Bella blushed slightly. She lowered her eyes, then said shyly, "For your sake, I'll let this bad woman go."

Liora’s face twisted with hurt and grievance. “I know you’ve always disliked me and you despise my mom for being a mistress. But, Narissa, my mom and dad couldn’t help what happened. We didn’t choose our own birth. If I could, I would’ve wanted to be the legitimate daughter of my dad, with a brother who loves me.”

She sighed in helplessness. “Not everyone is as lucky as you, born into the Sterling Family as the eldest daughter. I’m sorry!” Tears welled up in her eyes and she couldn’t hold them back any longer, running off in distress.

Drake instinctively wanted to chase after her but paused, his dark eyes fixed on Narissa. There was a mix of disappointment and displeasure in his gaze. "Narissa, do you know how happy Liora was that you could come out today? Yet, you say such hurtful words. I’ve been too indulgent with you in the past and that’s why you’ve turned out this way."

He turned and hurried out without looking back and the people around them cast awkward glances. Narissa felt her anger boil over.

It was Liora’s mother who had seduced her father, yet she had the audacity to say such things about wanting to take her family away.

Fury surged through her, but when she met her brother’s calm gaze, her heart froze. She felt absurd and sorrowful. “Evan, do you also think this is my fault?”

Evan’s expression softened with helplessness. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, his eyes filled with a hint of fatigue. Looking at his younger sister, whom he had watched grow up, he couldn't help but sigh and explained in a soft tone, “Narissa, we were just picking out a gift for you, that’s why we didn’t pick you up earlier.”

The tone in his voice seemed as if he was dismissing something, which made Narissa freeze for a moment. She remembered how her brother used to gently deal with people who pursued him, only to later discard the things they had given him.

Now, however, the person he was brushing aside was her. Narissa remained silent, just quietly looking at him.

In truth, he hadn’t always been like this. Back when their mother had died in the car accident, he had always been so protective of her.

When they were younger, his favorite toys were off-limits to everyone, but if she wanted them, he would give them to her without hesitation.

Even when he went abroad for his studies, he made sure to come back every month to visit her and bring her gifts.

It wasn’t until the car accident happened, where she survived only because their mother had shielded her with her body, that her brother became even more protective. He hired bodyguards to ensure her safety, constantly fearing that something would happen to her.

But everything changed after Liora and her mother appeared.

Narissa tugged at her stiff lips and slowly said, "I understand."

Evan's expression briefly turned cold, but he quickly regained his composure.

That moment was so brief that Narissa thought she had imagined it, but then, with a slight parting of his lips, Evan said, "Since you understand, don't do it again next time."

Narissa clenched her teeth, her expression tense. "What do you mean?"

Evan's expression turned cold as he retorted, "Do you really want me to be so blunt? You know that Bella is Liora's close friend, yet you still call Wilde a mistress and say you're not targeting Liora?"

Hearing this, Narissa struggled to suppress her anger and finally understood what he meant. "But, she was the one who spoke ill of Mom first."

Thinking he would understand, she was instead met with disappointment in his eyes. "Drake was right, you’ve really been spoiled."

The words struck Narissa like a blow, leaving her stunned. Even though she knew Drake would side with Liora, she hadn’t expected her brother to do the same.

In disbelief, her heart sinking, she asked, "Bella said Dad cheated because Mom wasn't good enough. Don’t you feel angry when you hear that?"

Evan stared at his proud, headstrong younger sister and replied, each word deliberate, “At that time, Liora was just a newborn. How could she understand anything? Liora is right, though. Her birth wasn’t something she could choose. You don’t need to blame her for it."

Narissa didn't even know how she had been targeting Liora. At this moment, it felt like she was momentarily transported back to the time before she entered the private prison.

When Liora was attacked, her father dragged her out of bed, accusing her of deliberately hiring someone to kill her, calling her malicious.

Although she hadn't done it at all, they said someone had identified her, making her meet with countless disdainful stares. At that time, all she wanted was to explain and uncover the truth.

Her brother had stepped in, looking at her with a cold, emotionless gaze and said, "Narissa, no matter what you’ve done, I will always stand by you. But you still need to face the consequences.”

He stood by her side because she was his biological sister, not because he believed in her.

In order to punish her, they had been eager to send her to a private prison, unwilling to even listen to her explanation.

Now, Evan looked at her with a calm gaze, but a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes as he said, "Narissa, you are my sister, so no matter what, I will stand by your side without question. ButI don't want to see this kind of thing happen again."

Instantly, Narissa felt unfamiliar with the tall, familiar man in front of her.

That year, she broke down in tears at her mother's funeral and her brother was only seventeen at the time. He tightly held her hand, his voice hoarse and restrained, "Narissa, stop crying. Even without Mom, there's still me, your brother. I'll protect you for the rest of your life and never let anyone hurt you."

Back then, he kept his promise. No matter what happened, he would always stand by her, protect her and believe in her.

But now, though he still stood by her side, his heart had already shifted. She understood that the brother who once promised to protect her for life no longer loved her.

The atmosphere at the banquet became tense and awkward. During the event, Elowen learned everything and he was so furious that his face trembled. "Wicked daughter, as soon as you come back, there’s nothing but trouble."

Upon hearing this, Narissa looked at him, feeling utterly disheartened.

Liora’s mother patted Elowen’s back and shot Narissa a disapproving look. "Narissa, today is your father’s birthday. Not only did you forget to bring a gift, but now you’ve also upset him. Please, don't make him even angrier."

The words made Elowen even more furious. "Even Liora knows to bring a gift. After all these years of raising you, I’ve only raised an ungrateful child."

Narissa had endured seven months of suffering, being bullied, insulted and subjected to inhumane treatment. And now, after finally returning, her father’s only concern was that she hadn’t brought a gift.

Narissa suppressed the searing pain in her chest and looked at her father with a bitter smile. "To you, it seems I’m less important than a gift."

Elowen’s face twisted with fury, his chest heaving with anger as he slapped her hard, sending her crashing to the floor.

The pain on her face was unbearable, but her gaze remained stubborn as she looked at him. "Dad, if Mom was here, she would surely hate you."

Elowen was momentarily stunned, unable to speak, but Wilde smiled and spoke softly, "Narissa, you're overthinking. If Astrid knew, she would surely want your father to be happy."

Upon hearing these words, Elowen's expression softened. He nodded and muttered, "Wilde, you’re right. Astrid will understand me up there.”

He then turned to Narissa. "Narissa, stop embarrassing yourself. If your mom saw you like this, she'd be furious."

With that, they turned and left, leaving Narissa standing there, her heart filled with disbelief.

Narissa was subjected to countless strange stares, but she remained silent, never responding to the gossip.

It wasn't until Drake came looking for her, a person who had rarely reached out to her recently.

Her heart, numb from everything, was momentarily stunned. Just as she processed the situation, she heard him say, "Narissa, you've made Liora cry. Come with me and apologize to her."

It turned out that he approached her because of Liora. Even though Narissa had become accustomed to everyone focusing on Liora, a sharp sting of pain still flickered in her chest.

Drake reached out to grab her, but she quickly pulled away, leaving him momentarily stunned. "Narissa, you’re the one at fault here. Liora has been running around preparing for the banquet ever since you left. This was your responsibility, don’t you know how exhausted she is? Yet now, you…"

He stopped abruptly, unable to continue, as he noticed the tears streaming down her face.

For a moment, his mind recalled how long it had been since she cried. It was ever since her mother passed. The sight of her tears left him frozen, a sharp pain shooting through his heart.

Narissa's eyes reddened with anger, her whole body trembling as she asked him, word by word, "Drake, would you apologize to someone who insults your mother?"

He didn't answer and Narissa repeated firmly, "I won't apologize, not even to Liora. She doesn't deserve it."

Drake's face darkened completely and even the last trace of pity in his eyes disappeared. "When did you become so unable to distinguish right from wrong? You need to understand that it was Bella who spoke those words, not Liora. Can't you be more rational?"

Narissa slowly raised her eyes, locking onto his gaze, determined not to miss any hint of emotion in his expression. Her voice was calm yet steady as she asked, “Drake, did you do all of this on purpose?”

Had he deliberately stopped her from buying a gift? Had he intentionally sent her to the front hall, forcing her to face a crowd of people who supported Bella?

Bella had always been her nemesis, constantly making trouble for her. Most of the people invited by Liora were ones she didn’t get along with and he must have known that.

She still couldn’t bring herself to believe Drake was capable of doing such a thing. But when she saw the brief flicker of panic in Drake’s eyes, a wave of disappointment and bitterness filled her heart.

Drake quickly regained his composure, but when he looked at Narissa, whose face had turned pale, he felt somewhat a twinge of guilt and unease. He lowered his voice, attempting to explain, “The incident where you almost caused Liora’s death needs to be addressed. That’s why I made sure people knew you were released from prison. But don’t worry, once this is over, our engagement will remain standing.”

Tears had dried from Narissa’s face, yet the pain in her chest felt like a dagger being driven deeper. She suppressed it as much as she could, but the more she tried, the more broken she became. “How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me? I didn’t do it. It was Liora who framed me on purpose! But none of you, not a single one, has ever stood by me or been willing to believe me.”

Her voice trembled as she let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and full of despair. If he had ever wanted to believe her, he would have done so already. But he never did.

A faint, mocking smile crossed her lips as she forced herself to speak the words, her heart completely numb. “Drake, I’ll call off the engagement. You can marry Liora instead!”

Drake froze for a moment before his anger flared. “Can you stop acting on impulse? We’ve been together for so many years. Do you think this is something you can just end so easily?”

Narissa took a deep breath, her voice calm yet resolute. “I’m not acting on impulse, Drake. I’m simply giving you what you’ve always wanted.”

“I only see Liora as a sister…”

Just as Drake was about to explain, his phone buzzed. Narissa caught a glimpse of the screen, where “Darling Liora” was displayed as the caller ID.

Without hesitation, he walked away, heading toward Liora, who stood in the distance, smiling and waving at him.

Narissa’s heart grew colder. She lowered her eyes, took a deep breath and left the banquet without looking back.