In front of her stood a girl in a dazzling blue fishtail gown, encrusted with tiny, glittering gemstones. Under the warm amber lights of the ballroom, the dress shimmered like an enchanting creature of the deep sea, stunningly beautiful. The girl's skin was exceptionally fair and delicate, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her neck was slender, her features delicate and expressive, and her presence was captivating.

This face... so beautiful!

And so familiar...

"You... you are..." The words caught in Mia Carlisle's throat. Whether it was from shock or guilt, she couldn't bring herself to say "Mila Carlisle."

But she couldn't be mistaken—it was Mila Carlisle, unmistakably her!

How could this monster be here? How did she get into Laizer Myer's ballroom?

Had she really survived the torturous underworld auction house?

More astonishingly, she had grown even more beautiful. If the ten-year-old Mila Carlisle had been stunning, the present Mila Carlisle was otherworldly, transcending earthly beauty.

Compared to Mila Carlisle, Mia Carlisle's own attractiveness paled, appearing ordinary and devoid of any charm or brilliance.

"Excuse me," Mila Carlisle politely smiled at Mia Carlisle, then turned her attention to Cecil Barton, holding out a large, ribbon-tied cake.

Cecil Barton seemed mesmerized by her, his eyes locked onto her.

"Here, take it," Mila Carlisle nudged his arm with the cake box, "Don't the birthday stars want their gifts? If not, I'll throw it away—"

"No, no! Don't!" Cecil Barton snapped back to reality and immediately took the cake box, "Of course, I want it. You... you..."

"Cecil Barton, nice to meet you. I'm Mila Carlisle." Mila Carlisle extended her hand, her green eyes sparkling like stars.

Three years of online friendship, and this was their first in-person meeting.

Mila Carlisle... So this was Little Fish's real name? How lovely, just like her, beautiful and ethereal.

For some reason, Cecil Barton felt nervous, not daring to shake her hand.

From Mia Carlisle's perspective, it looked like Mila Carlisle was trying to seduce Cecil Barton, who seemed unwilling to engage with her.

Mia Carlisle had always felt insecure about Mila Carlisle overshadowing her beauty, and now seeing Mila even more breathtaking, jealousy burned inside her.

Seizing the moment, Mia Carlisle grabbed Mila's hand, her sharp nails digging into Mila's wrist as she put on a facade of propriety, saying, "What are you doing? Even if you want to introduce yourself, you shouldn't force him to shake your hand. Can't you see Cecil Barton is uncomfortable?"

Mila glanced at her hand, held by Mia.

Ah, the way Mia Carlisle scolded her still had that same self-righteous, superior tone.

"Let go." Mila's voice was calm, but those two simple words carried a chilling authority, making Mia instinctively want to release her grip.

But why should she listen to Mila?

Since childhood, it had always been Mila who had to obey her. Monsters didn't have the right to command people; they should be groveling.

With that thought, Mia tightened her grip, her nails digging deeper. She put on a conciliatory tone, "I'll let go, but you must stop bothering Cecil Barton. He—"

Before she could finish, Mila suddenly twisted Mia's wrist.

Pain shot through Mia's arm, feeling as if her wrist was about to snap.

"Ah—" Mia screamed, her face turning pale, "What are you doing?!"

She tried to pull her hand back, but Mila had already released her.

The sudden release made Mia stumble backward, falling clumsily to the floor—

Her other hand, holding a glass of red wine, spilled it all over her, splashing onto her face as well.

Immediately, all eyes turned to them, whispers spreading through the crowd.

"You—" Mia quickly covered her likely smeared face, glaring at Mila, "You did that on purpose! You tried to break my wrist, you wanted to humiliate me!"

Mila's eyes were wide and innocent, "How could I break your wrist, Miss Carlisle? If you want to accuse me, at least come up with a believable story."

Mia's wrist still throbbed with pain, "But you clearly used force just now..."

Cecil Barton interjected with a frown, "Miss Carlisle, I saw you grabbing her first. She merely asked you to let go."

"But she..."

"I saw it with my own eyes. If you think I'm wronging you, you're free to leave my birthday party." Cecil Barton's tone grew colder.

His words were laden with a clear disdain.

Mia froze, realizing she had overstepped. She stood up and, in a soft voice, tried to salvage the situation, "Cecil Barton, I didn't mean it like that, I just..."

Ignoring her, Mila turned and walked toward the fruit table.

Cecil Barton immediately followed, carrying the cake, not listening to another word from Mia.

This slut! Always seducing men, just like when they were children.

Furious, but maintaining her composure, Mia headed to the dressing room to clean up and touch up her makeup. She would deal with this monster later.

"Little Fish!"

Cecil Barton caught up in a few quick strides. Mila paused and looked at him, blinking in confusion, "What is it? Just say it."

This strange guy, so chatty online, now seemed tongue-tied in person.

"Um..." Cecil struggled to speak, finally blurting out, "Thank you for the cake."

"It was a rush, I didn't have time to get something more valuable. But this bakery is famous, the cake is delicious."

Mila picked up a cherry, suddenly recalling Laizer Myer feeding her cherries on the plane... He would deliberately put his fingers in her mouth, laughing when she bit him, saying, "Bite harder."

Was he a masochist?!

Damn it, she might have a lifelong aversion to cherries now.

Remembering Laizer Myer's slender fingers in her mouth made Mila's skin crawl. She handed the cherry to Cecil, "You eat it."

Cecil, overjoyed, took it but didn't eat it, holding it like a treasure.

Just then, his assistant approached, saying the Barton family elders needed Cecil to offer a toast. Cecil reluctantly left, instructing Mila to wait there so he could introduce her to some important partners later.

As soon as Cecil left, a group of men surrounded Mila, all eager to introduce themselves, offering their business cards and compliments.

In the grand ballroom, she was the most dazzling presence, outshining all other women.

Mia Carlisle, stepping out of the dressing room, saw this scene.

She had spent all day getting her hair and makeup perfect for tonight, only to have this bitch steal the spotlight!

Seething with jealousy, Mia dialed a number on her phone, "Hide in the dressing room. When Mila Carlisle goes in to change, knock her out and kidnap her. Let my parents deal with her..."

Mila was still being fawned over by the crowd of men when Mia approached, politely saying to the men, "I'm sorry, but she's not feeling well. Could you gentlemen allow her some space to rest?"

Her gentle, ladylike demeanor made the men reluctantly step back, still stealing glances at Mila.

Mila lazily nibbled on a small fork, chuckling, "Miss Carlisle, you really know how to handle men. Is this from experience with being discarded by so many rich playboys? Five? Ten?"

"You!" Mia's sore spot hit, she took a deep breath and softly said, "Mila, I reprimanded you earlier to prevent you from offending Cecil Barton. Climbing up to men isn't done like this... If you want to learn, I can teach you."

Mila's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Oh? The madam's class is in session?"

"Mila Carlisle—" Mia dug her nails into her palms to restrain herself. She couldn't lose her composure here, in public.

Mila enjoyed watching Mia's barely restrained fury, finding it incredibly amusing, "Say it louder, let everyone hear the night's rooster crow."

"...Mila, I know you hate me and our parents."

Mia suddenly dropped her gaze, feigning tears, her voice choked, "But a lot has happened in the past three years. We had no choice back then... Let's talk somewhere quieter, okay? It's too noisy here."

She pointed to the large fountain in the center of the ballroom.

"Alright." Mila set down her plate, following Mia without hesitation.

Mia smirked internally. So beautiful, yet so stupid! Soon, she would have this bitch on her knees, begging for forgiveness.

Mia led Mila to the fountain, standing to her right, in the surveillance blind spot of the ballroom.

"What do you want to say?" Mila crossed her arms, yawning, looking indifferent.

"I wanted to say, Mila, I'm glad you're alive and back in Rongcheng, but..."

Mia's eyes gleamed with malice, and she suddenly shoved Mila toward the fountain!

With her back to the fountain, Mila would surely fall in.

How dare this bitch show up here? Mia wouldn't let her off.

But at that moment, a sudden "click" was heard, and the ballroom plunged into darkness.