Chapter 18 Miss Ross is My Guest

That evening, Nanci was up late handling some documents and was rudely awakened early the next morning by a call from Amelia, leaving her extremely irritable.

“You better have a good reason for risking your life to bother me this early,” she grumbled.

On the other end, Amelia touched her neck, her usually lively voice fading as she said, “Edward has been keeping a close eye on you lately, making it hard for me to move freely. There's a gathering at our house tonight, and my dad has invited you to come.”

Nanci rubbed her hair, asking, “Do you think I have nothing better to do?”

“Of course not! But the Clarkson family will be there tonight. You and Mr. Mills are the guests of honor. I just thought it'd be good to show Elizabeth and Sophie how stupid they were to treat you like a servant!”

As silence took over, Amelia quickly added, “At the dinner, I'll take care of getting Edward drunk, and my dad will help you leave the city. Your identity documents will be completed by tomorrow morning.”

“That sounds feasible, but I'm tired of dealing with the Clarkson family.” Nanci's voice was weary.

“Think about the indignities you have suffered at their hands over the last three years and how Edward has ignored you. Are you going to let it go and leave? You've been secretly helping Olivia recover, and they don't appreciate any of it!”

Amelia's words reminded her of a recent incident at the hospital.

Whenever there was a problem, the Clarkson family always blamed her.

And Edward?

He, too, would accuse her without inquiry.

Even if she healed a stranger, she would receive thanks, but tirelessly caring for Olivia only earned her their contempt.

She smirked sardonically, her voice low, “Why bother?”

Amelia, more enthusiastic than ever, said, “Tonight, we'll right the wrongs and show the Clarkson family just how important you are! Let them see how much better off you are without them. Leave me to it. I promise Sophie will arrive smiling and leave crying!”

Listening to her excited yet hesitant speech, Nanci got the picture.

She rubbed her nose bridge, her voice teasing when she asked, “So, you had this planned all along, and you're just informing me now?”

“I'm doing this for you,” Amelia chuckled. The truth was she had wanted to do this for a long time.

“So are you coming tonight? You really must, or you won't be able to leave Alderley.”

Nanci raised an eyebrow, looking out the window, saying, “Then I guess I have no choice.”

She was quite curious to see Sophie cry.

At seven o'clock.

Nanci took an hour to apply her makeup meticulously, her lightly curled long hair casually draped over her back, making her small face appear lively and charming. She wore a black cocktail dress that highlighted her shapely figure.

This was a stark contrast to her previous housewife attire.

Just as she stepped out of the hotel, she noticed a striking Maserati parked at the front.

A tall man in sunglasses got out of the car and walked straight toward her. “You must be Miss Ross, right? Hi, I'm Keith Underwood.”

Nanci paused for a moment, then shook his hand. “Hello.”

“Amelia sent me to pick you up. Please get in the car.”

Nanci had felt he looked familiar, and upon entering the car, she remembered he was the actor Spencer Underwood.

He became a superstar last year thanks to a hit drama series.

"Are you...Spencer?" she asked tentatively.

Keith glanced at her through the rearview mirror, a faint smile curling on his thin, crimson lips. "Spencer is my stage name. My real name is Keith, Amelia's brother."

Nanci nodded, seemingly understanding a bit more now. Sophie was a typical star-chasing girl. Over the past two years, she'd often mentioned Spencer's name. Now, the avid fan was about to discover her least favorite woman appearing alongside her favorite actor, a sight almost too perfect to imagine.

She massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Do you know what Amelia is planning?"

Keith's eyes clouded with confusion. "What plan?"

Nanci sighed. Clearly, they hadn't even coordinated their stories. She simply said it was nothing and turned to look out the window, no longer in the mood to speak.

As they entered the house, Nanci hadn't yet found Amelia when they encountered the soon-to-be-tearful Sophie.

"Ah, Mrs. Clarkson! Oh, sorry. I forgot you're divorced now, and no longer part of the Clarkson family," Sophie mocked, her voice loud and attracting attention.

Nanci gave her a cold look. "Is there something you need, Miss Clarkson?"

"Not really. I just wanted to see who you climbed into bed with so quickly after my brother kicked you out, bringing you to such a fancy event!"

Tonight's dinner, though called a family gathering, was actually a banquet hosting many prominent figures of the city, all connected to Grandpa Underwood. The upper circles were small, and the attendees were familiar faces. They now recognized Nanci, the wife Edward was ashamed to show.

But why would she be a disgrace? She was beautiful, especially with her commanding presence, even overshadowing Sophie.

Sophie noticed the attention Nanci was drawing, her eyes filled with jealousy. "Dressed up so extravagantly, are you trying to get back with Edward? Shameless!"

As a daughter of the Clarkson family, Sophie had some influence in socialite circles, and some girls already resented Nanci, who had taken Mrs. Clarkson's place. Seeing Sophie taunt Nanci, they joined in the mocking.

"Look at her. All dolled up. Who knows what she's up to? Sophie, make sure your brother doesn't fall for her tricks!"

"How can they let just anyone in here?"

Nanci smiled slyly, "Want to know how I got in? Why don't you ask Mr. Underwood?"

"Wow, are you even targeting Mr. Underwood?" Sophie always spoke her mind, and her words were harsher now.

Keith had just parked the car and entered in time to hear her snide remarks. His expression darkened. "Miss Clarkson, watch your words."

Keith was dressed formally today, in a well-tailored shirt and pants, his suit jacket draped over one arm, his usually gentle, smiling deep eyes tinged with anger. He was more formidable than his usual easy-going media presence.

Sophie's eyes lit up upon seeing him. "Spencer? What are you doing here?"

"Miss Ross is my guest," he said, his brows furrowed, his tone cold.

As she watched them standing together, Sophie's face went through a myriad of expressions, her heart aching. How could this worthless woman be with Spencer? And she even warranted a personal invitation from him?

From the moment Keith had walked in, Nanci remained silent, her gaze on Sophie as if watching a clown. When it looked like Sophie was truly about to cry, she slowly said, "Let's go."