Chapter 230: Her Rapidly Beating Heart
Ophelia’s smile, which had been so carefully crafted, began to waver. The initial thrill of getting an award and being recognized for her philanthropic work, the promise of boasting to the ladies at her bridge club, was rapidly fading, replaced by a growing sense of unease. She scanned the room, her gaze lingering on the decorations, the party favors, the general atmosphere. Something was... off.
The banners, the balloons, the sheer exuberance of the crowd – it did not align with the image of a sophisticated charity event. It felt more like... a birthday party. A lavish, extravagant birthday party, but a birthday party nonetheless.
A cold dread began to creep into her heart. She had been so convinced that she was attending a prestigious gala, a celebration of her achievements. But now, she was starting to suspect that she had been mistaken. Terribly mistaken.
She watched the other guests, their faces flushed with laughter, their conversations light and frivolous. Most of them did not seem like the philanthropists and art enthusiasts she had expected. They seemed more like... partygoers. People who were here to celebrate a birthday, not to support a charitable cause.
As if on cue, a couple of waiters came wheeling in a large, elaborately decorated cake, its tiers adorned with candles and sugary decorations. A banner above it proclaimed, "Happy Birthday, Brooke!"
Brooke. The name resonated with a chilling vagueness that hung in the back of her head refusing to give her clarity.
Until her eyes narrowed, Brooke Chadwick. Wasn’t that the name of the girl who was being paraded as Maeve’s daughter?
Ophelia’s breath hitched. She felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. She had been duped. She had been tricked into attending a birthday party, thinking it was a prestigious charity event. She had been made a fool of.
Her cheeks flushed with anger. She could not believe she had been so naive, so gullible. She had been so eager to believe in the invitation, so desperate for recognition, that she had ignored the warning signs.