A sudden impact sent Evelyn stumbling backward.

Her heels skidded on the polished floor.

She barely managed to keep her balance.

The person who had crashed into her was not so fortunate.

A woman, rushing out of the venue in a frantic hurry, had been wearing impossibly high heels.

She lost her footing completely.

With a sharp cry, she landed hard on the marble floor in a tangled heap of expensive fabric.

The delicate silk of her gown ripped at the seam.

For a long moment, Amelia Sterling just sat there, stunned.

Then, realizing no one had immediately rushed to her aid, her shock turned to fury.

"What is wrong with you people?" she shrieked, her voice echoing in the entrance hall. "Are you all blind? Help me up!"

"Miss Sterling!" The frozen onlookers sprang into action.

Several guests and hotel staff hurried forward, carefully helping her to her feet.

They tactfully avoided looking at the bright red flush of humiliation on her cheeks.

"Miss Sterling, are you hurt?" a young hotel employee asked, his voice full of concern.

Amelia took a deep, shuddering breath.

Then, without any warning, her hand flew out.

The sharp crack of her palm connecting with the employee's face echoed through the space.

The young man staggered back, his hand flying to his stinging cheek. He said nothing.

Evelyn watched, utterly speechless.

She had not expected such a violent outburst, especially toward someone who was only trying to help.

The sheer entitlement took her breath away.

But Amelia was not finished. Her rage needed a new target.

She turned, and her venomous gaze landed squarely on Evelyn.

A flicker of pure, unadulterated jealousy crossed Amelia's features.

Evelyn's dress for the evening was elegant but understated, not overtly luxurious.

Yet her natural beauty and poise made her impossible to ignore.

"Who do you think you are?" Amelia snarled, her eyes narrowing to slits. "You clumsy fool! Look what you've done to my dress!"

Evelyn opened her mouth to explain, but Amelia cut her off.

She waved a dismissive hand toward the security guards hovering nearby.

"Get this woman out of here!" she commanded. "She is banned from all Sterling family events from now on!"

It never occurred to Amelia that Evelyn might be someone she couldn't afford to offend.

Having grown up in Crestwood's elite circles, Amelia knew all the important socialites and female entrepreneurs.

Evelyn's face was unfamiliar.

Therefore, in Amelia's mind, she was a nobody.

As a daughter of the prestigious Sterling family, Amelia believed she had every right to blacklist an insignificant guest.

At her command, two security guards stepped forward.

"Ma'am, you heard Miss Sterling. Please come with us," one of them said, his tone firm.

It was then that Evelyn fully processed the situation. This was Amelia Sterling, the daughter of the hosting family.

She reminded herself quickly—she was here as Alexander Blackwood's guest. Causing a scene would be unwise.

She remained calm, her voice level and polite but firm.

"Miss Sterling, you ran into me. I was standing still. And for the record, I am an invited guest. I have my invitation right here. You cannot simply throw me out."

Amelia let out a contemptuous sneer.

"We invited many people tonight. An invitation does not give you the right to be reckless."

She stopped midsentence.

Her eyes had locked onto the invitation in Evelyn's hand.

It was black, edged in shimmering gold.

Amelia's breath caught in her throat.

For this event, the Sterling family had issued invitations based strictly on the guest's status.

Ordinary guests received blue-and-white invitations.

Those of higher standing received red ones.

But the exclusive black-and-gold invitation…

That was reserved only for the most distinguished, the highest-ranking guests of all.