Chapter 304

The crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the grand ballroom, but the atmosphere felt anything but welcoming.

"Evelyn, you must understand—respect is a two-way street." Vanessa's voice was low but firm. "There's no point in pretending courtesy when the hosts clearly don't value us as guests."

Evelyn shifted uncomfortably in her heels. If not for her role as Phoenix Labs' representative, she would have walked out the moment they arrived.

"Still..."

Adrienne hesitated, but before she could finish, a smooth, aged voice cut in.

"Excuse me, ladies. Did I just overhear something about the hosts lacking respect for their guests?"

Both women turned to see an older gentleman approaching. His silver hair was impeccably styled, his skin surprisingly youthful for his age. He carried himself with an air of effortless sophistication, his sharp gaze fixed on them.

Adrienne recognized him instantly—Harrison Whitaker. Her breath hitched.

"M-My apologies, Mr. Whitaker! That wasn't what we—"

"Are you suggesting my hearing is failing me?" Harrison touched his ear with a wry smile. "I assure you, it's still quite sharp."

Adrienne opened her mouth again, but Evelyn placed a hand on her arm, silencing her.

"Your hearing is perfect, Mr. Whitaker," Evelyn said calmly. "And yes, that's exactly what I meant. The hosts have shown clear favoritism tonight. Some guests are treated as VIPs, while the rest of us are an afterthought."

Adrienne's eyes widened in horror. Did Evelyn have any idea who she was speaking to?

Harrison's expression darkened slightly, though his tone remained deceptively pleasant. "Is that so? Do enlighten me. What gave you that impression?"

"Evelyn," Adrienne whispered urgently, tugging at her sleeve.

But Evelyn ignored her. She met Harrison's gaze squarely.

"The organizers invited all of us here for this 'welcome dinner,' yet not a single member of the committee has bothered to greet us. We've been here nearly an hour, completely ignored."

She gestured around the room. "Meanwhile, I heard the lead organizer personally escorted another guest inside—someone deemed more important than the rest of us. If that's not favoritism, what is?"

Murmurs rippled through the nearby crowd as more guests turned to listen.

Evelyn's words struck a chord. Many had noticed the slight but hadn't dared to voice it.

At the edge of the gathering, Lucien Dubois smirked. "She just signed her own social death warrant."

Vanessa frowned. "What do you mean?"

Lucien's smile was cold. "Watch and learn."