Chapter 243

Madame Lowell was in high spirits. Beatrice Merouin rarely participated in such events, and even when she did attend, her involvement was always half-hearted.

Having brewed a pot of tea with rare enthusiasm, she naturally expected it to be properly appraised.

Evelyn Langley approached unhurriedly. When she lifted her gaze, it accidentally met Beatrice’s.

Beatrice stiffened for a moment before letting out a disdainful snort, her posture dripping with arrogance.

But Evelyn saw right through it—that arrogance was merely a mask to conceal her discomfort.

Madame Lowell smiled warmly. "Miss Langley, what do you think of this tea?"

Evelyn rinsed her mouth first, then took a small sip.

Setting the cup down, she spoke bluntly, "Too much tea leaves, not enough water. The brew is overly concentrated and unpleasantly bitter. The water temperature was also too low, failing to fully release the tea’s aroma."

"Pfft—" Madame Lowell couldn’t hold back her laughter. "What did I tell you? Cutting corners would give you away. Miss Langley saw right through it."

Beatrice’s expression darkened.

Though Evelyn’s assessment was accurate, did she have to be so brutally honest?

Madame Lowell laughed heartily. "I should’ve known better than to expect much from you."

Beatrice: "..."

Completely oblivious to having offended anyone, Evelyn had already turned to evaluate the next lady’s tea.

......

Margaret Evans sat stiffly among the guests, watching as Evelyn was showered with admiration. Jealousy made her fingers tremble.

She had worked painstakingly for years just to barely enter this circle, yet Evelyn had won universal praise with just one tea appreciation class.

The most infuriating part? Evelyn remained indifferent to the flattery, continuing to offer professional critiques with unshakable composure.

Some of her assessments were downright cutting.

Yet those haughty socialites didn’t take offense—instead, they thanked her profusely.

Margaret: "?" Had the world gone completely mad?

Glancing at the cowering Chloe Valentine beside her, whose tea had been an utter disaster, Margaret’s frustration deepened.

For the first time, she thought having Evelyn as a daughter-in-law might not be so bad—at least she was a hundred times better than this quail of a girl!

At exactly five o'clock, the tea appreciation gathering concluded.

Guests began leaving one after another.

At the hotel entrance, Margaret jabbed a finger at Chloe’s face. "I told you to prepare properly, and this is the humiliation you bring me? Were you trying to announce to the world how unfit you are?"

"How can someone so stupid dare to show their face? It was obvious others came prepared—couldn’t you use your brain for once?"

Chloe bit her lip, about to defend herself, when Margaret immediately took two steps back.

"Stay away from me. The sight of you disgusts me! Don’t let me see you for the next few days—you’re nothing but bad luck!"

She sneered. "A worthless thing like you, dreaming of marrying into the Evans family? Delusional!"

Nearby, Eleanor Roland’s car pulled up.

"Sister-in-law, need a ride?"

Beatrice waved her off. "No need. I have other matters to attend to."

Eleanor didn’t press further and drove away.

Evelyn stood at the hotel entrance waiting for her ride. One after another, people approached to exchange pleasantries, and she responded to each with a polite smile.