Chapter 413 - 416: Mrs. Lancaster, We Meet Again

Claire Bennett entered the banquet hall, arm in arm with her mother.

She was clearly dressed to the nines today. Her custom-made, lotus-pink gown was perfectly tailored, accentuating her slender, poised figure. The hem was adorned with fine crystal studs that sparkled eye-catchingly under the chandeliers.

Her makeup was exquisite and striking, her eyes and brows meticulously defined, revealing an unconcealable air of sharpness and pride.

She held her head high with a poised, open posture, looking every bit like someone determined to make her mark in front of all the guests.

Mrs. Bennett wore a navy-blue suit subtly embroidered with peonies. She had a perfectly measured smile on her face. While she couldn’t match the commanding presence of the high-ranking Claire Sterling, she still exuded all the dignity and grace expected of a high-society wife.

The mother-daughter pair walked toward Mrs. Flynn.

Mrs. Flynn was chatting with Claire Sterling and Wren Sutton when she glanced over and saw the Bennetts approaching.

"Mrs. Flynn, congratulations," Mrs. Bennett said, presenting a gift box she had prepared.

Mrs. Flynn accepted it with a smile and gestured for a servant to take it.

"Thank you for coming all this way, Mrs. Bennett. That’s very thoughtful of you. Please, have a seat."

As soon as she finished speaking, Claire Bennett stepped forward with a smile.

"Mrs. Flynn, congratulations. Today is your little princess’s 100-day celebration. My mother and I came especially to offer our congratulations, to share in the little princess’s good fortune, and to wish the entire Flynn Residence prosperity and lasting joy."

As she spoke, her gaze subtly swept over Wren Sutton, who stood beside Mrs. Flynn, her eyes holding a faint, almost imperceptible hint of comparison and rivalry.

She deliberately projected her aura, posturing with a grace and dignity meant to rival Wren Sutton’s.

Mrs. Flynn responded warmly and offered a few polite compliments. Without lingering, she then guided everyone toward the main hall.

But Claire Bennett didn’t retreat. Instead, she turned slightly, her gaze landing boldly on Wren Sutton. A faint smile touched her lips—one that appeared amicable but was, in fact, laced with provocation.

"Mrs. Lancaster, we meet again."

She initiated the conversation, her voice just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

"I’ve long heard that Mrs. Lancaster has impeccable taste. The gown you chose today is quite similar in style to one I was admiring the other day. It seems our aesthetic sensibilities are quite in sync."

Claire Bennett’s words seemed like a compliment, but she was subtly putting herself on the same level as Wren Sutton for comparison.

While deliberately trying to close the distance between them, she was also asserting her own presence.

The atmosphere instantly grew delicate.

’So, Miss Bennett knows Mrs. Lancaster.’

The surrounding guests’ eyes focused on the two of them, as if they could smell gossip in the air.

’Before leaving the house today, Wren Sutton truly hadn’t expected to run into Claire Bennett at the Flynn family’s granddaughter’s 100-day banquet.’

’This woman’s intentions were impure. She had pretended to be a relative of the Lancaster family to deliberately get close to Adrian Lancaster and sow discord, only to be caught red-handed in a trap Wren had set.’

’But Claire Bennett knew none of this. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be acting so arrogant and smug right now.’

’Of course, Wren wasn’t about to expose any of it. Now, their positions were reversed: she was in the shadows, while Claire Bennett was out in the open.’

’She was curious to see what exactly this woman was trying to pull.’

Wren Sutton’s expression remained soft and composed, completely unruffled by Claire Bennett’s provocation. She naturally exuded an air of lofty detachment.

"You’re too kind, Miss Bennett."

Wren dropped that single line and immediately withdrew her gaze, not letting it linger on Claire Bennett’s face for a moment longer. She clearly had no intention of making small talk.

She turned and leaned closer to Claire Sterling, who understood at once. Claire Sterling discreetly took her arm, and the two walked in perfect sync, calmly following Mrs. Flynn inside.

Claire Bennett froze on the spot, publicly snubbed by Wren Sutton.

Her carefully laid conversational gambit, her deliberate attempt to stage a public rivalry, her veiled one-upmanship—it all fell flat in the face of Wren’s near-total indifference.

Not only did she fail to get the satisfaction of a successful provocation, but in the eyes of the onlookers, she now looked like a clown who had eagerly tried to curry favor only to be brushed aside by the person she was targeting.

The more composed and indifferent Wren appeared, the more Claire Bennett’s earlier initiative seemed both deliberate and cheap.

The smile on Claire Bennett’s face slowly froze. Her fingertips tightened as anger and frustration welled up inside her, and a humiliating heat crept up her neck.

She watched as Wren Sutton, poised and elegant, entered the main hall with Claire Sterling, adored and surrounded like a star. She was so composed, so dignified.

From start to finish, Wren hadn’t paid her petty challenge the slightest bit of attention.

Mrs. Bennett, who had seen everything clearly from the side, quickly stepped forward and tugged on her daughter’s wrist. "Don’t just stand there," she reminded her in a low voice. "You’re drawing too much attention. Let’s go find a seat first."

Claire Bennett closed her eyes, forcibly suppressing her anger. She put a smile back on her face and followed her mother inside, finding a random place to sit.

Across the crowded room, she saw Claire Sterling lead Wren Sutton to the head table, right next to Mrs. Flynn. It was the table for the most distinguished guests in the entire hall.

Mrs. Flynn personally poured juice for Wren, while Claire Sterling affectionately tucked a stray strand of hair back from her shoulder. Their movements were natural and intimate.

The high-society wives all around cast their gazes toward the head table, their words filled with envy and compliments for Wren. They praised her outstanding beauty, her grace and poise, and above all, what an immense blessing it was for the Lancaster family to have her.

Every compliment was like a needle, pricking relentlessly at Claire Bennett’s heart.

Overcome with a surge of jealousy, Claire Bennett gritted her teeth, nearly crushing the glass in her hand.

Sitting beside her, Mrs. Bennett sensed her daughter’s suppressed hostility. She quickly nudged her with an elbow, giving her a look that urged her to rein in her emotions.

"Claire, don’t stare. Everyone here is an important figure. You need to hide your intentions better, lest you become a laughingstock. What happened just now was conspicuous enough."

Mrs. Bennett paused, a flash of coldness crossing her eyes, before adding in a hushed voice,

"I know what you’re thinking. Don’t be rash. Now that we’re here, you’ll find an opportunity."