Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 96: A Mistake

Chapter 96: A Mistake

Rain arrived at the venue and went outside the car. She was alone, but her confidence was like a shield, so she felt completely at ease. Taking a deep breath, she excitedly walked toward the entrance of Le Monde Gallery. After providing her full name and showing her ID, she was promptly let inside.

Her heart raced with anticipation as she stepped into the elegant gallery. Finally, she was at an exclusive event showcasing a renowned artist, something she had only dreamed of before. The room was bathed in soft lighting, making each piece look like a precious gem. Her eyes widened as she took in the beautiful displays of Vernice’s artwork.

As Rain wandered among the guests, the soft hum of admiration for the art pieces filled the air. Vernice was renowned not just for her stunning paintings but also for her radical sculptures that challenged conventional ideas and pushed the boundaries of modern art.

Rain had long admired Vernice’s work, though until now, she had only been able to view them through news, articles, and magazines. Seeing the pieces up close, in person, felt surreal—each stroke, each curve, more breathtaking than she had imagined.

Rain overheard a conversation between two guests as they whispered to each other. "What do you think she’ll sell tonight?" one asked. "We’ll find out later," the other replied. "For now, let’s see what catches our interest. If it’s on the list, we can buy it when it’s presented."

Rain bit her lower lip, feeling a slight temptation. Owning one of Vernice’s pieces would be incredible. But practicality nudged at her—she had always been cautious with her money, preferring to invest in things that would grow in value or contribute to her future. As beautiful as the art was, she knew her finances had other priorities.

With a contented smile, Rain continued walking through the gallery, appreciating each piece without the pressure to purchase. The joy of being surrounded by such creativity was enough for her.

Each piece of art seemed to speak to her, the colors and emotions jumping out of the canvases. Rain paused in front of a large painting, her eyes tracing the intricate details. The vivid brushstrokes and powerful emotions captured in each stroke were captivating. She let herself be immersed in the moment, a small smile forming on her lips as she felt a sense of peace.

But that peace was short-lived...

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure. Dina, dressed in a gown that screamed "look at me," was surrounded by a group of friends, all laughing and sipping champagne. Rain’s stomach tightened. She had hoped to avoid any encounter with her half-sister, but luck wasn’t on her side today.

Dina’s eyes landed on her, and her expression changed to one of shock. With dramatic flair, she excused herself from her group and made her way over to Rain, her high heels clicking against the polished floor.

"Well, well, well... what do we have here?" Dina said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I didn’t expect to see you here, Rain."

Rain kept her composure and met Dina’s gaze calmly. "I was invited."

"Invited?" Dina echoed, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. Her friends, now curious, began to gather around, their eyes scanning Rain as if she didn’t belong. "Who would invite you to an exclusive event like this?"

Rain straightened her posture and tried to stay calm. "Do you really want to make a scene right now? Can we just pretend we didn’t bump into each other and go our separate ways? I’m here to enjoy the artwork. What does it matter to you who invited me?"

Dina’s face faltered briefly before her smirk returned, now tinged with more venom. Rain was about to walk away, determined not to let Dina ruin her mood when Dina’s expression turned to one of familiar malice.

She snapped her fingers, catching the attention of a nearby security guard. "Excuse me!" she said loudly enough for the surrounding guests to hear. "I believe there’s been a mistake. This woman isn’t supposed to be here. She’s managed to sneak in."

’Seriously! This woman won’t live her life without messing out with her!’

Curious eyes turned their way and Rain kept her face neutral as the security guard approached.

"Miss, may I see your invitation?" the security guard asked politely, though his tone was firm.

Rain calmly smiled and said, "Please check your list of invitees. My name is there. Rain Clayton."

The security guard’s polite yet firm request to see her invitation was quickly overshadowed by Dina’s mocking tone.

"Hah! Are you kidding me, Rain? How can you be so shameless and confident? Why don’t you just walk away with the security instead of making a fool of yourself?" Dina sneered, her arms crossed smugly. "Why would your name be on the guest list? Father would never let his illegitimate daughter from a whore attend an event like this!"

Rain’s jaw clenched as the murmurs spread around her, whispers igniting like wildfire.

"So she’s Tim Clayton’s illegitimate daughter... from that hooker who died?" someone nearby murmured.

"I heard about that scandal. Her mother tried to hook up with Tim’s second sister’s boyfriend—while she was pregnant! Can you imagine?" another voice added, full of judgment and scorn.

Rain balled her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She could feel the weight of their words, the cruel whispers aimed at degrading her. The triumphant smirk on Dina’s face was unbearable—she was enjoying this, just like she had when they were younger.

Taking a deep breath, Rain fought to maintain her composure. Dina had always tried to tear her down, but Rain had learned long ago not to let the past define her. She wouldn’t give her half-sister the satisfaction of seeing her break.

With a calm but firm voice, Rain repeated, "Please check the list. Rain Clayton."

"Seriously, is this some kind of delaying tactic?" Dina’s voice rang out, her frustration barely concealed. "If they find your name on the list, it must be a mistake!" She hissed glancing sharply at the security guard. "I’m from the Clayton family, and I’m more than authorized to tell you that my half-sister is not, and never will be, allowed by my father to attend this event!"