What an Ugly Copycat

Evangeline stood frozen in the doorway. It felt as if a massive bomb had just detonated inside her skull, leaving a ringing silence in its wake. She had planned every single detail of her countryside bumpkin ruse. Never in her wildest nightmares did she expect her true, breathtaking appearance to be discovered so soon, let alone by one of the Vane brothers.

Lucian stood motionless in the hall, his dark eyes thoughtfully scrutinizing her flawless face. His mind raced. She could almost see the questions flashing through his gaze, wondering if this striking beauty standing before him was the real Evangeline, or if this was merely another layer to her intricate disguise.

Panic clawed at her throat, but she suppressed the creeping, cold dread threatening to swallow her whole. Opting for sheer audacity instead of cowering, she stepped back and gestured into the room.

"Why don't we have a chat first, Mr. Lucian?" she offered, her voice steady. "Please, come in."

She pulled the heavy oak door open wider. Lucian stepped over the threshold, placing the bundle of dry clothes onto a nearby armchair. He turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

Evangeline shut the door behind him, closing off the rest of the Mercer estate. She preferred to deal with smarter, analytical people without beating around the bush. Taking a deep breath, she met his intense stare head-on.

"You want to ask me why I changed my appearance, right?" she asked.

Lucian gave a curt nod.

"Because I hate the idea of an arranged marriage, that's why," she declared flatly.

His eyes widened slightly in understanding. The rigid set of his jaw relaxed, and a subtle smirk touched his lips. "It seems you and I have the exact same goal, Miss Ashford," he replied, his tone smooth.

For a brief second, Evangeline felt a deep sense of confusion. The marital union between the Ashfords and the Vanes was obvious leverage for his family's power and standing. Why would Lucian oppose such an advantageous match? She brushed the probing thought aside. Whatever his motives were, it was none of her business. Right now, she needed an alliance.

Seizing the golden opportunity, she proposed a transactional deal. "In that case, can you help me keep this a secret? Don't worry. I won't let you do it without receiving benefits. I'll help you once in return."

Lucian looked at her, his expression shifting into a bitter, heavy self-mockery. The confident heir vanished, replaced by a man burdened by an invisible weight. "You can't help me. No one can help me with what I want to do," he said softly.

A tense beat of silence stretched between them. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner echoed in the spacious suite. Finally, Lucian broke the quiet.

"Okay," he said. "I promise you."

"Thanks," she muttered, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Pointing to the bundle of dry clothes resting on the chair, Lucian's tone turned stern. "Be careful next time. There will be no remedying the situation if someone else discovers what you really look like. Get changed. I will be waiting for you outside, and we will go downstairs together."

Evangeline thanked him again and grabbed the garments. Once Lucian exited the room, she stared down at the fabric in her hands in utter disgust.

Paige had sent her a heavy, velvety green evening dress. It was gaudy, unflattering, and a far cry from her actual style, but lacking any alternatives, she forced herself into the thick material.

She paused before the tall mirror, admiring her own flawless, stunning reflection. Even drowning in terrible velvet, her sharp features and glowing skin commanded attention. Satisfied she still looked decent, she retreated to the attached dressing room.

Time was running out. She grabbed the cheap cosmetics she had stashed in her clutch. She worked the thick powder into her fair skin, darkening her complexion until it looked dull and uneven. With a steady hand, she drew her fake, hideous moles back onto her cheeks and jawline. Her breathtaking beauty vanished beneath the manufactured ugliness.

When she finished, she opened the door to find Lucian waiting in the hall. Together, they navigated the long corridors and finally began to descend the grand staircase to rejoin the party.

The moment they stepped into view, roaring, cruel laughter erupted throughout the lavish ballroom.

"Geez, what does this freak mean by doing this?" a socialite jeered.

"How could she have the sheer gall to imitate Miss Mercer's fashion?" another laughed aloud, pointing a manicured finger at the staircase.

Evangeline scanned the crowded room and caught sight of Paige. The heiress was wearing a similar, albeit far superior, emerald green dress. The cut, the fabric, the jewels—everything about Paige's outfit was a masterpiece. Next to her, Evangeline looked like a cheap, tacky imitation.

She understood the depth of the vicious trap set for her.

In a masterful display of false, sickening kindness, Paige stepped forward through the glittering crowd to defend her to the jeering guests.

"No, it is not like that," Paige announced, ensuring everyone present heard her charity. "This is the first time Evangeline is attending such a grand party, so I picked her evening dress myself. She wasn't imitating me on purpose."

Paige then turned her gaze to Evangeline, deliberately adding fuel to the blazing fire with a pitying sigh. "This is the best evening dress I've chosen for you. Too bad it doesn't match your style, though. I'll have one tailor-made for you next time."

What a conniving bitch, Evangeline thought. She crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to entertain the humiliating charade with a response. Let them laugh. She didn't care about their shallow opinions on a piece of fabric.

Mistaking her cold silence for weak submission, Macy pushed her way to the front of the crowd, her eyes gleaming with malice. She chimed in from the crowd.

"What an ugly copycat you are, Evangeline!" Macy spat out.

Lucian frowned. His gentle demeanor vanished, his voice hardening as he stepped closer to the railing. "Please watch what you speak, Miss Thorne."

However, his rare, public defense only fueled Macy's blazing jealousy. Her face flushed with anger as she glared at the ugly girl beside him.

"Country bumpkins like you are in a league of your own, huh?" Macy taunted, stepping closer to the bottom of the stairs. "Did you put Mr. Lucian on some kind of magic drug? The Vane siblings are out of your league, so don't get carried away by his kindness. Stop kidding yourself and hankering after something that'll never be yours. Know your place!"

Evangeline slowly raised her head. The mock humility melted away as she locked eyes with the spoiled girl. She shot back with a chilling, razor-sharp sneer.

"I've always known my place. On the other hand, in what capacity are you saying that to me, Miss Thorne?"