Chapter 56 How Did the Lipstick Get Smudged?

Alice's eyelashes fluttered as she caught a glint of mischief in Henry's eyes.

Ophelia was sweet and kind, and Alice didn't want her to get the wrong idea.

She stood up and adjusted her dress just as Ophelia rushed over with Ethan.

Henry got up, looking as calm as ever. "It's nothing, just my stomach acting up again, an old issue."

Ophelia sighed in relief. "You scared me. I thought something serious happened to your old bones."

Henry didn't say anything.

He glanced at Ophelia and headed downstairs.

Ophelia ignored Henry's cold look and turned to Alice. "Alice, why is your lipstick smudged?"

Alice smiled, "I just finished my juice, and when Uncle Henry groaned, it startled me. My hand shook, and the juice spilled."

Ophelia nodded. "Uncle Henry is such a troublemaker. Here, take my lipstick and fix it."

"Okay."

The auction tonight was a big deal, held at the Loshanda Convention Center, with business and political elites and top celebrities attending.

The auction hadn't started yet, and everyone was mingling in the banquet hall.

Henry's arrival definitely caught everyone's attention.

Important figures from various circles surrounded him, hoping to chat and maybe become business partners.

Alice, meanwhile, was dragged to the dessert area by Ophelia.

Ophelia used tongs to pile pastries on her plate. "Uncle Henry is always the star at these events. Let's just focus on eating."

Seeing Ophelia's plate stacked high, Alice had to admit Ophelia had a big appetite.

"Alice, this pudding is amazing. You should try it."

Alice smiled, "Okay, I'll grab a piece."

They took their plates to a sofa by the window and sat down.

Just then, a woman approached them. "Hello."

Alice looked up and saw it was Celeste.

Celeste wore a champagne-colored evening gown, showing off her shoulders. She had an elegant demeanor. "Mind if I join you?"

Ophelia smiled, "Not at all, it's a public place. Have a seat."

Celeste sat on a single sofa, looking at Alice and Ophelia. "I heard Mr. Howard only has one niece."

Ophelia took a bite of pudding. "I'm Ophelia Howard, and this is my coach, Alice Savoy."

"Coach?"

Ophelia nodded. "A combat coach. Alice is super skilled!"

Celeste thought for a moment. "I remember Mr. Oliver Howard's previous fiancée was also named Alice, right?"

Ophelia said, "Just a coincidence."

Celeste realized Alice was just a coach with no family background or connections, and she was destined to have no ties with the Howard family.

Celeste smiled, "I didn't expect Miss Savoy to be so skilled in combat. I'm very interested in combat too. Ophelia, can I come to the old house and learn with you?"

Ophelia, though simple, wasn't foolish. She knew Celeste wanted to use her to get closer to Henry.

So Ophelia politely declined. "Alice teaching me alone is already exhausting."

Celeste then turned to Alice. "Miss Savoy, is it possible? I can pay you double."

Celeste's intentions were clear, and Alice couldn't let her get close to Henry unless she was stupid.

Just as she was about to refuse, a voice rang out. "My dear sister, are you Ophelia's coach now?"

Alice turned and saw Clara approaching with two other women.

Celeste glanced at Clara. "You call Alice 'sister'? Who are you?"

Clara blinked. "Hello, Miss Garcia. I'm Clara Savoy, Oliver's fiancée. Alice is my sister."

Celeste thought for a moment and then looked at Alice. "So you are Mr. Howard's ex-fiancée? Didn't you deny it before?"

Alice chuckled lightly, "Miss Garcia, I don't think it's something to brag about when my fiancé and my stepsister betray me."

Celeste quickly grasped the complexities of the situation. She'd heard rumors that Alice, the eldest daughter of the Savoy family, was a troublemaker, which led to Oliver breaking off the engagement. But reality seemed a bit different.

Clara looked sorrowful. "Alice, I know you're upset about the broken engagement, but wasn't it your own fault?"

Alice scoffed, "Clara, I told you not to mess with me. You really have a short memory!"

Clara wiped her tears. "Alice, you've never liked me, no matter how much I tried to please you."

The two women beside Clara started to chime in. "The Howard family broke off the engagement with you and chose Clara because you're promiscuous!"

"Look at how you used to dress. Weren't you working at a nightclub?"

"You are always bad news and even slandered Clara!"

"Clara has always endured in silence. You're really a cold and vicious woman!"

Ophelia jumped up. "Shut up! What do you know? Clara, stop talking nonsense. I know exactly what you're like!"

Clara sobbed softly. "Ophelia, don't let Alice deceive you."

"Get away from us! If you bully Alice again, I'll beat you up!"

Alice stood up and gently patted Ophelia's back to calm her down.

She then walked up to Clara, who was half a head shorter than her, and grabbed the fabric at Clara's chest to lift her up. "Clara, you will pay dearly for provoking me!"

She then pushed Clara away and glanced at the two women who had been talking nonsense. "And you two, I remember you as well."

Intimidated by Alice's powerful presence, they quickly dragged Clara away.

Alice turned to Celeste. "Sorry, my hands are dirty. I'm going to wash them."

Celeste nodded slightly. To be honest, she was startled by Alice just now.

Previously, she thought Alice was gentle and serene, but now she realized that was all a facade. Cold, ruthless, calm, and composed were Alice's true traits.

Seeing Alice walk away, Ophelia followed her.

When they returned, Ophelia was still cursing Clara. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she pointed to the entrance. "Look, it's Percival York! Oh, my God! He's so handsome!"

Alice was dragged to the entrance by her.

Percival, in a deep blue suit, stood tall and elegant. His slight smile would cause a chorus of screams from the women.

He was the top actor in Stellaria and the third heir of the York family.

Ophelia looked at Percival, her face filled with girlish fantasies. "Alice, I really like him. When I turn twenty, I'll ask Grandpa to discuss marriage with the York family."

Alice fell silent.

Ophelia suddenly felt a warm flow in her nose. "Oh no, I'm having a nosebleed. Alice, help!"

Alice quickly rummaged through her handbag.

At that moment, a slender, attractive hand reached out with a handkerchief. "Miss, here you go."

Ophelia shakily took it while looking at the god-like Percival. "Thank you, Mr. York."

Percival smiled, "You're welcome."

He then looked at Alice with a scrutinizing and inquisitive gaze. "Are you an actress?"

Alice shook her head, "No."

"You're very beautiful." Percival rarely complimented people, so this remark surprised everyone.

Alice smiled, "Thank you."

Percival nodded slightly and left.

Ophelia, holding her nose, said, "Alice, Mr. York complimented you! I'm so jealous!"

Looking at Ophelia's disheveled face, Alice shook her head and said, "Let's go, wash up in the restroom."

Ophelia nodded. "Yes, I need to clean this handkerchief and keep it."

Alice fell silent.

Not far away, Henry had a stern face, feeling distracted even when someone was talking to him.

He watched Alice and Ophelia leave, then glanced at Percival.

She really didn't let him rest easy.

At this moment, a waft of perfume drifted over, and Henry frowned slightly as Celeste stood by his side.