A wealthy socialite standing nearby suddenly exclaimed, "Wait, isn't that Samuel's girlfriend?"

He knew Samuel Mitchell well and had encountered Elise Scott on several occasions. While he remembered her as attractive, tonight Elise was so radiant he almost didn't recognize her.

"Did Samuel bring you? I'll go find him for you."

His intentions were genuinely kind—any man would feel protective toward such beauty, and he felt a surge of sympathy for her situation.

However, another woman in their circle sneered dismissively. "I can't understand what Samuel sees in her!"

"Wasn't their wedding called off because of that fire? Almost like divine intervention saving Samuel from ruining his life with her..."

Elise listened to their mocking words with complete indifference, showing no reaction.

She had grown accustomed to such treatment and genuinely didn't care.

Just as she reached into her clutch for her invitation, Samuel arrived with the wealthy acquaintance.

"Mr. Mitchell," the attendant greeted respectfully. "We received information that Ms. Scott entered without an invitation. May I confirm if you escorted her?"

Samuel's gaze fell on Elise, and a flash of bitterness crossed his eyes as he remembered her recent cold dismissal.

"What are you doing here, Elise?" he exclaimed with feigned surprise. "I thought you said you were feeling unwell?"

Elise's lips curved in a cold smile. He was clearly denying any association with her.

Nearby, Sophia had initially felt nervous, struggling to accept that Samuel might have helped Elise.

His current reaction immediately brightened her mood!

This confirmed for everyone that Elise had sneaked in, and the resulting humiliation would spread through their social circles!

"How pathetic! She actually crashed the event!" The woman nearby scoffed more openly now.

"She's become the laughingstock of high society..."

"She doesn't belong here. The Scotts disowned her years ago—nobody would even remember her if she hadn't been dating Samuel Mitchell..."

"Someone should just remove her from the premises. This is embarrassing."

Taking Samuel's response as confirmation, the attendant turned to Elise and stated bluntly, "I'm sorry, Ms. Scott, but attendance requires a formal invitation. Please come with me—"

Before he could finish, Elise had already produced her golden invitation, holding it before the attendant.

The watching crowd fell into stunned silence—none could believe Elise possessed one!

In fact, most attendees had come as guests of their parents or husbands, without receiving personal invitations!

"Would you care to verify it?" Elise asked coolly, her voice cutting through the tension.

The attendant accepted the invitation respectfully and opened it for inspection.

Those nearby shuffled closer to look, their eyes widening as they saw the elegant calligraphy spelling out Elise Scott.

She had genuinely received a personal invitation from Levine Holdings.

But what possible qualification could she have for such honor?!

"My deepest apologies, Ms. Scott. We've made a terrible mistake." The attendant immediately apologized, bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "I sincerely hope this hasn't spoiled your evening. My humblest apologies."

Elise ignored him completely, her gaze shifting to Samuel, who appeared both stunned and deeply embarrassed.

A single supportive word from him could have spared her this humiliation.

Instead, he had chosen to abandon her to public ridicule.

And most satisfyingly, his plan had failed spectacularly!

Elise turned to leave the gathering crowd, pausing briefly as she passed Sophia and Amanda.

Both women were visibly seething with anger.

They had hoped to witness her humiliation, only to watch Elise triumph once again in full public view.

And neither of them could have produced a personal invitation from Levine Holdings!