Chapter 236

Beatrice raised an eyebrow, finally giving the woman her full attention. "And you are...?"

"From the Evans family."

"Ah, Mrs. Evans." A faint smirk played on Beatrice's lips. "You seem quite interested in Eleanor's and my horse-face skirts. Perhaps you'd like to visit the Laurent estate someday? Our walk-in closets might fascinate you."

Margaret's smile froze.

This wasn't the reaction she'd anticipated.

"Who do you think you are?" Beatrice rose with a cold laugh, looking down her nose at the other woman. "Matters between sisters-in-law are none of your concern."

She strode away without another glance.

Margaret's face flushed with alternating shades of humiliation.

Eleanor watched the exchange, barely concealing her disdain.

Though she and Beatrice often clashed due to their differing personalities, they were still family.

How dare this woman try to drive a wedge between them?

Was she out of her mind?

Beatrice settled into a seat directly facing Chloe.

The younger woman hunched her shoulders, adopting a pitiful expression. Her eyes brimmed with tears the moment their gazes met.

Beatrice detested such artificial white-lotus antics.

Eleanor might be spoiled, but at least she was genuine. Women like Chloe...

She averted her eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Beatrice," Eleanor approached, "the lighting here is poor. Shall we move over there?"

Beatrice followed without protest.

Perfect. Now those two irritants were out of view.

She shot Eleanor an approving glance.

Eleanor shook her head in resignation.

Their eldest brother spoiled Beatrice rotten, and the entire family indulged her whims. Naturally, Eleanor had to play along.

As the attendees assembled, the tea ceremony class began.

A slender figure emerged from the side entrance.

A jade-blue cheongsam embroidered with silver magnolias hugged her curves, the intricate patterns shimmering with each graceful step.

Evelyn's hair was swept into a simple chignon, her makeup understated yet elegant.

She moved toward the platform with effortless poise, commanding every eye in the room despite her quiet demeanor.

"Have any of you watched the documentary about tea culture?" Her voice flowed like clear spring water. "When a single leaf fell into water, it transformed its essence—thus tea was born."

"China is the birthplace of tea, with a history stretching back to the era of Shennong, spanning over four thousand seven hundred years."

"As one of the 'seven daily necessities,' tea became woven into the fabric of common life since ancient times..."

"Lu Yu's 'The Classic of Tea' from the Tang Dynasty marked the crystallization of Chinese tea culture... The spirit of tea permeated poetry, calligraphy, painting, religion, medicine..."

Evelyn spoke with measured elegance, her words unfolding like the delicate unfurling of tea leaves in warm water.