His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 27: You'll Never Touch My Level

Frederick looked at her with the same smug, dismissive glare he always had—chin tilted, voice dripping superiority. "Stop whispering in Julian's ear. I might've handed him the reins to Everhart Group, but don't forget, I'm still the biggest shareholder. Just because you want money doesn't mean you'll get it."

And just like that, it all made sense. So he was the backup Lily had called in. Her father-in-law.

Iris didn't flinch. Smart move, she thought. But not enough to take her down.

Now it also made sense why Julian had backed out of investing in her company.

She looked him dead in the eye. Calm, unbothered. "Dad, investment's a two-way street. Everhart Group might be powerful and well-funded, but that doesn't mean I'd want your money anymore."

Frederick scoffed. She was running a tiny start-up, and yet she dared speak with that kind of tone? He hated her arrogance—couldn't stand her self-possession. This woman wasn't just not good enough for his son, she was beneath the Everhart name.

"Why don't you just shut that sorry excuse for a company down," he sneered. "It's embarrassing to the family."

Still calm, Iris tilted her head slightly and said, "Didn't know the Everhart name had sunk so low that my company's reputation could drag it down."

His face turned pale. He opened his mouth to keep going—to unload everything he'd been holding back.

But Iris wasn't just a pretty face in a modest tone. She looked soft, sounded gentle—but beneath that, she was steel. Educated, articulate, utterly unshakable. If he thought he could corner her with words, he'd picked the wrong opponent.

Frederick scowled and walked away.

Iris finally exhaled quietly.

Beatrice walked over and gently took her arm. "What did he want?" she asked.

Iris smiled, her expression as light as ever. "Oh, nothing important."

Beatrice chuckled, satisfied. "Well, tonight I'm introducing you to the whole extended family."

"Of course," Iris said with a clear, calm smile that felt like cool water on a hot day—quiet and refreshing.

Beatrice was older now. After making the rounds greeting guests, her legs began to tire. She sat in the lounge area, chatting with a few elderly relatives.

Iris stayed by her side, quiet and patient.

Noticing this, Beatrice patted her hand and said, "Why don't you go find Julian? Let him introduce you to some of his friends."

Iris figured she wanted to talk about something personal with her friends, and didn't want her overhearing. She nodded and stood.

She didn't really want to find Julian. Or talk to anyone, really. The crowd made her feel boxed in. So instead, she slipped out to the balcony.

The moonlight was soft. The air outside was quiet.

"Iris. Didn't expect to find you out here." That voice—familiar, and just a little too friendly.

Iris turned.

Lily was walking over with another woman beside her—tall, striking, dressed to impress.

She recognized her right away. Selena Vale.

A current Hollywood-level celebrity, rising fast under Julian's entertainment division.

Her friend Zoe had once shown her gossip clips—fan edits of Selena and Julian at events, all chemistry and rumor. She'd even shown Iris a movie clip where Selena looked eerily like her.

Zoe had laughed and said, "She could be your long-lost sister."

Funny how some things come full circle.

Lily noticed Iris staring at Selena and jumped in quickly. "She's Selena, the rising star from Julian's entertainment company. His biggest name."

Lily turned to Selena. "She's—"

But Selena cut her off with a faint smile. "I know who she is. Iris Whitlow."

Her tone was cool. Dismissive. Her eyes scanned Iris from head to toe, full of condescension—like she was appraising a kid trying to play dress-up.

Iris felt it immediately. That look. That tone.

Not the way someone treats a boss's wife. More like how you'd look at a junior.

Lily blinked. "Wait—you two know each other?"

Selena gave a dry chuckle. "I know her. She doesn't remember me. I was sent away when she was four. She wouldn't have any memory."

Iris felt it like a jolt—a wave of goosebumps rising across her skin.

So this was her. Her sister.

She had no memory of her. No connection. No shared past. But blood was strange that way—it reached into your chest before your brain had time to catch up. The shock. The strange thrill of recognition.

Selena clearly didn't feel the same.

With a twisted smile, she said, "Funny how life works. Doesn't matter how broke your family is, how low your roots—pick the right man, and suddenly you're living in a mansion, playing dress-up in high society."

Iris heard the venom under the sweetness. Her fists curled slightly at her sides.

Selena kept smiling. "Honestly? I should thank your parents for giving you up. If they hadn't, I might've ended up like you—climbing my way up through marriage."

Iris had come into this encounter thinking maybe, just maybe, she should show some basic respect. After all, this was her sister.

Now?

She looked Selena straight in the eye, completely calm. "I got into Stanford University on my own. Built a pharmaceutical company from scratch. That's all me. I don't need rich parents or a powerful husband to give me status. I don't chase social classes. I build my own."

She took a step forward, her voice steady and low. "You can play the role of starlet, or find a rich CEO to fund your rise. But don't confuse the spotlight with substance. I don't need a stage. I am the headline."

Selena's smile faltered.

Lily was so stunned she forgot to breathe. She'd always thought Iris was too soft, too nice.

She hadn't realized how terrifying that calm voice could be when it cut like a blade.

Iris walked past Selena without a glance back.