Chapter 327
Gasps echoed through the room as judgmental whispers swirled around Evelyn. The venom in their voices was palpable.
"That impostor doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as us."
"Someone needs to put her in her place."
"Let's make sure that gold-digger never shows her face here again."
The next morning, Sylvia's phone rang with disappointing news. "Ms. Montgomery, our team found zero records on Evelyn Carter," the investigator admitted.
Sylvia's grip tightened on her phone. "Incompetent fools! How hard is it to track one nobody in all of Kingsford?"
"With all due respect," the investigator hesitated, "it's almost like someone deliberately erased her digital footprint."
Sylvia scoffed. The idea of that plain Jane having such connections was laughable.
"Save your excuses. Consider our contract terminated!"
She slammed the phone down just as her father entered.
Conrad Montgomery studied his daughter's stormy expression. "What's troubling you this early, darling?"
"Nothing important, Father." Sylvia forced a smile. "Today's the Global Business Summit. We should focus on securing new partnerships."
Conrad's face lit with approval. "That's my girl. And you'll want to impress - I've heard the Kingsleys are attending this year."
At the mention of the powerful family, Sylvia's pulse quickened.
"Will Dominic be there?"
Conrad chuckled. "Always thinking about Kingsley Industries' CEO, aren't you?"
A flush crept up Sylvia's neck. Dominic Kingsley was the crown prince of Kingsford's business world - brilliant, devastatingly handsome, and heir to one of the largest fortunes globally.
Every socialite dreamed of catching his eye. Sylvia was no exception.
"Father, a Kingsley alliance would elevate our status overnight. We'd have companies begging to work with us."
Conrad nodded thoughtfully. "True. Though I hear the Kingsley heiress recently returned from abroad. The family dotes on her immensely. Perhaps befriending her would be your best strategy."
Sylvia's stomach twisted.
The Kingsley daughter?
For a bizarre moment, Evelyn's face flashed in her mind. Both shared the same surname.
She immediately dismissed the ridiculous thought. Evelyn dressed like a thrift store mannequin. The Kingsley heiress probably had diamonds sewn into her shoelaces.
"Do we have a photo of Ms. Kingsley?"
Conrad shook his head. "The family guards her privacy fiercely. But she'll be attending with Dominic today. Watch for the woman at his side and make your move."
"Don't worry, Father." Sylvia squared her shoulders. "I'll have the Kingsleys eating out of my hand by sunset."
After final preparations, Sylvia summoned her chauffeur.
Meanwhile at Kingsley Manor, Dominic had arranged for Paris's top stylist to attend to his sister at dawn.
This summit marked Evelyn's formal debut as a Kingsley. Every detail had to be perfect.
The walk-in closet overflowed with couture gowns - enough to outfit a small nation.