Three Systems Made the Fake Heiress Unstoppable

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Attending the Birthday Party, an Uninvited Guest

What Zoe Roland said almost made Stella Winters and Evan Shaw laugh out loud.

Ethan Prescott looked at Zoe Roland’s innocent face, so angry he wanted to curse. But his refined upbringing stopped him from saying anything too vulgar, so he could only glare at her.

Although she disliked Ethan Prescott, Stella Winters found Zoe Roland far more terrifying. So this time, she decided to side with Ethan and speak up for him.

’Once Chloe turns down Zoe Roland’s birthday party, she’ll definitely refuse to celebrate that ridiculous engagement anniversary with Ethan Prescott too.’

’That way, Zoe Roland can’t monopolize Chloe, and Chloe won’t have to get close to Ethan Prescott. It’s the perfect solution.’

”Listen, junior. No matter how you slice it, Chloe is still Prescott’s fiancée. You can’t just try to split them up, can you? If you do, people will start to suspect their engagement is off, and that will affect both of their family’s companies.”

”Winters, how can you, as Chloe’s friend, side with the person who used to bully her? Besides, Chloe doesn’t even like Prescott anymore! That being the case, we should be helping Chloe stay away from him.” Zoe Roland puffed out her cheeks, indignant.

It made it seem as if Stella Winters had done something unforgivable, while simultaneously driving a wedge between Chloe York and her.

”I— I never said I wouldn’t help! I just said that their families still have a business partnership and the engagement hasn’t been called off. I’m trying to help Chloe, too!” Stella Winters grew frantic. She hadn’t expected Zoe Roland to be so silver-tongued.

’She’s even resorting to sowing discord! If she actually succeeds in driving a wedge between me and Chloe, it’ll be a disaster!’

”But it sounds to me like you’re siding with Prescott.”

”Who’s siding with him?”

”You are. What you just said sounded exactly like you’re siding with Prescott.”

”That’s nonsense! Stop lying through your teeth. I was just stating the facts.”

Seeing how fierce Stella Winters was, Zoe Roland grabbed Chloe York’s arm and nestled against her like a frightened bird. ”She’s so mean. I’m scared!”

”You... you... you white lotus, you green-tea bitch!” Stella Winters was so furious she wanted to hit her.

Chloe York listened to Stella Winters and Zoe Roland argue. She wanted to say something, but they were going back and forth so quickly, she was stuck in the middle without a chance to get a word in. Their squabbling was making her head throb.

Meanwhile, Ethan Prescott felt aggrieved, his dignity thoroughly insulted. ’This is so disrespectful! I’m still standing right here!’

”Alright, alright, stop arguing,” Evan Shaw chimed in, trying to mediate. ”How about we let Chloe decide?”

”I’ve decided to go to Zoe Roland’s birthday party. After it’s over, I’ll go shopping with Stella. Is that acceptable?”

”What about me?” Ethan Prescott asked pitifully.

”Go find a nice, cool place and stay there.”

With that, Chloe York turned and walked briskly back to her classroom. ’These people are always holding me back.’

The moment Chloe York strode away, the others immediately scattered, heading back to their own classrooms. Only Stella Winters hurried after Chloe, since they were in the same class.

Back in the classroom, Chloe York saw Brooke York studying diligently.

Brooke York looked up at Chloe, then immediately lowered her head to continue studying. The glance was fleeting, but Chloe still noticed the hatred in her eyes.

’So she hasn’t given up, she’s just hiding it. Considering how hard she’s been studying lately, she’s probably planning to get a better score on the second mock exam.’

「Soon, it was Sunday: Zoe Roland’s birthday.」 Chloe took the gift she’d bought for Zoe on Saturday and headed to the address she’d been sent.

Zoe Roland lived in a two-story villa. Chloe had just reached the front gate when Zoe herself ran out to greet her. ”Chloe, you’re here!”

”A birthday present for you.” Chloe York handed the gift to Zoe Roland.

Zoe Roland took it with a smile. ”Thank you!” she said, leading Chloe York inside.

The house had been simply decorated, giving it a festive, birthday atmosphere. In the living room, a couple saw her arrive and quickly stood up, warm smiles on their faces.

”Mom, Dad, this is Chloe York. She’s a senior, and she’s the one who saved me the other day.”

”Chloe, these are my parents!”

Zoe Roland made the simple introductions.

”Hello,” Chloe York said, greeting them first.

”Oh, wonderful, wonderful. Such a good kid. Chloe, thank you so much.” The moment Roger Roland saw Chloe York, he rushed forward, his hand outstretched for a handshake.

Zoe Roland coughed. Only then did Roger Roland realize his mistake. ’This isn’t a business meeting,’ he thought. ’The person I’m about to shake hands with is a high school senior, not a business partner.’

Roger Roland quickly retracted his hand, looking apologetic. ”My apologies, that was a bit forward of me.”

”It’s no problem.”

”Chloe, thank heavens for you,” Mrs. Roland said, a wave of lingering fear in her voice. ”My daughter told me she collapsed on the lawn that day. None of her classmates noticed. They all just thought she was taking a nap!” Her gaze toward Chloe York grew warmer, filled with gratitude and affection.

”You’re too kind, ma’am. We’re schoolmates, so it was the right thing to do.”

”Well, you two go on and have fun for a while. I’ll go check on the food in the kitchen,” Mrs. Roland said, nudging Roger Roland to signal that he shouldn’t disturb the girls.

”Yes, yes. You two go play. We’ll go check on the food.”

”Okay!”

”Chloe, come here!” Zoe Roland said, pulling Chloe York into a nearby sitting room.

”Look! This is the cake I made,” Zoe Roland said, her tone clearly fishing for a compliment.

A small, three-tiered cake sat on the table. It was both exquisite and beautiful.

”It’s beautiful, Zoe! You’re amazing!” ’Zoe Roland had mentioned she could bake, but I never expected she could make something that looked this good!’

Zoe Roland shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ”Oh, it’s nothing. This is pretty much the only thing I know how to make.”

”Later, can we cut the cake together?”

”Of course!”

Just then, a housekeeper approached them. ”Miss, there’s a student named Winters at the door. She says she’s your friend and would like to come to your birthday party.”

’Winters?’ The first person who came to Chloe York’s mind was Stella Winters. She hadn’t expected Stella to show up and shot an awkward glance at Zoe Roland. She could sense the friction between the two of them.

”It’s fine. Let her in.”

”Very well.”

’Zoe Roland didn’t want to let Stella Winters in at all, but she had no choice. Stella was Chloe’s best friend, after all. She couldn’t seem petty; she had to be magnanimous.’

”Chloe, I’m so happy! It looks like besides my parents, I’ll have you and Winters here to celebrate with me. It’s going to be so lively!”

Hearing Zoe Roland say that made Chloe York feel a little relieved, even though she knew Zoe was just saying it to make her feel better.

Stella Winters had just walked in when Zoe Roland immediately called out to her. ”Winters, you’re here! Look, this is the cake I made. Chloe just told me how beautiful it is!”