Transmigrated Into The True Heiress-Chapter 109: Lucky

Ephyra tilted her head slightly, her cold gaze cutting through Marianna like a blade.

"You’re lucky I don’t want to get my hands dirty today," Ephyra added, her voice soft but chilling. "But don’t test me, Marianna. I don’t have the patience to act like the evil stepmother and kind stepdaughter with you anymore."

Without waiting for a response, Ephyra turned and resumed her ascent, her steps deliberate and unhurried. Behind her, Marianna stood rooted to the spot, her earlier bravado completely shattered.

When Ephyra reached her room, she closed the door behind her, exhaling slowly. The encounter replayed in her mind, but she pushed it aside. There were bigger things to focus on now.

She glanced at her desk, where a stack of documents lay neatly arranged—papers that Lyle’s team had delivered earlier that morning. Among them was the finalized marriage certificate and a folder containing information about the banquet.

Ephyra picked up the folder, flipping through the details of the event. It wasn’t just any gathering; it was a high-profile affair, with influential figures from various industries attending—a perfect opportunity for Ephyra to destroy them all at once.

Her gaze lingered on a handwritten note tucked inside the folder:

Ephyra,

I’ve ensured everything will run smoothly for the banquet. You’ll be the center of attention, as you should be. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.

– Lyle

Setting the folder aside, Ephyra moved to her wardrobe. She selected a short denim skirt, a strapless corset top, and a cropped jean jacket, pairing the ensemble with ankle boots.

An hour later, she finished applying a light touch of makeup, her lips painted a subtle rosy hue that complemented her features. Just as she was fastening a delicate bracelet around her wrist, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," she called, turning toward the mirror.

A maid stepped in, bowing slightly. "Miss Ephyra, your friends have arrived and are waiting for you in the dining room."

"Thank you," Ephyra said with a small nod, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. She straightened her jacket, giving herself one last glance in the mirror before heading out.

As she descended the stairs, she could hear lively chatter filtering through the air. Malia’s voice, always animated, carried above the others, punctuated by Eliot’s calm and measured responses.

When she entered the dining room, she paused at the doorway, observing the scene. Eliot and Marianna sat at the table with three others—Malia, Cyran, and Orla. Malia was mid-discussion, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke, her expression shifting with each word. Orla leaned back in her chair, smirking at Malia’s dramatics, while Cyran nodded along, his eyes wide with interest.

Ephyra lingered for a moment, unnoticed, until Cyran spotted her. His face lit up as he waved enthusiastically.

"Ephyra! Happy—"

"Hey, Cyran!" Ephyra cut him off with a grin, crossing the room quickly to pull him into a brief side hug. "It’s good to see you."

"Finally!" Malia exclaimed, rising from her seat. "What took you so long? We’ve been waiting forever!"

Ephyra chuckled, releasing Cyran and turning to Malia. "Forever? I’m only a few minutes late, drama queen."

Malia rolled her eyes but grinned. "You’re lucky it’s your day, or I’d have dragged you down those stairs myself."

Eliot, seated at the head of the table, cleared his throat, drawing Ephyra’s attention. His gaze shifted between her and her friends, his expression unreadable. "Ephyra, why didn’t you tell us you were friends with the Dellinger sisters and a Carver?"

Ephyra arched a brow, her tone laced with sarcasm as she replied, "They have names, Dad. They’re not just their surnames. And you never asked, did you? I don’t recall you ever caring."

The tension in the room thickened momentarily, but Cyran interjected with a laugh, breaking the silence. "I told you, Ephyra, your dad’s got questions. We’re basically celebrities now."

Ephyra smirked, her gaze softening as she turned to her friends. "I wouldn’t go that far, but I’d say I’m the lucky one to have you guys around."

Malia clapped her hands together, determined to lighten the mood. "Alright, enough with the awkward family drama. Ephyra, let’s get going! I’ve got the whole day planned out."

Ephyra nodded, turning to Eliot. "I have to go. I will be home by tonight. Bye."

She didn’t wait for his response before heading toward the door with her friends in tow. As they stepped outside, Malia looped her arm through Ephyra’s.

"You’re going to love this," Malia said, grinning from ear to ear. "I’ve pulled a few strings to make today unforgettable."

Orla rolled her eyes. "She’s hyping this up way too much. Don’t expect fireworks."

"Shut up, Orla," Malia shot back. "You didn’t plan anything. Let me have my moment."

Cyran laughed, falling into step beside them. "I’m just here for the food and the gossip. Don’t let me down."

As they climbed into Malia’s car, Ephyra leaned back in her seat, letting the hum of their chatter wash over her. For the first time in what felt like weeks, she allowed herself to relax, even if only a little.

The car ride was lively, filled with Malia’s endless teasing, Orla’s dry humor, and Cyran’s cheerful interjections. When they finally arrived at the destination—a chic rooftop café with a breathtaking view of the city—Ephyra couldn’t help but smile.

"This is nice," she admitted as they were led to a private corner table adorned with fairy lights and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

"I told you I had it all planned," Malia said smugly.

As they settled in, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—school, relationships, and their shared memories. Ephyra found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, momentarily forgetting the chaos that awaited her.

Halfway through the meal, Cyran leaned closer, his tone suddenly serious. "Ephyra, can I ask you something?"

She raised an eyebrow, sipping her iced tea. "Depends. What is it?"

"Are you... okay?" His voice was soft, concerned. "You’ve been distant lately. Like, more than usual. I just want to make sure you’re not dealing with everything alone."

The question caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. Malia and Orla had gone quiet, both watching her with similar concern.

Ephyra set her glass down, meeting Cyran’s gaze. "I’m fine, Cyran," she said, her voice steady. "I’ve just had a lot on my plate lately. But I promise, I’m handling it."

Cyran nodded, though he didn’t look entirely convinced. "Alright. Just remember, we’re here if you need us. Okay?"

"Okay," she said, offering a small smile.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and good food. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Ephyra felt a rare sense of peace.

When they finally returned to the Allen household that evening, Ephyra paused at the front door, glancing back at her friends.

"Thanks for today," she said softly. "I needed this."

Malia grinned. "What are friends for?"

Cyran winked. "Don’t get too sentimental on us, Ephyra. You know we’ll be back tomorrow to annoy you again."

Ephyra chuckled, shaking her head as she watched them drive away.

Once inside, she headed straight to her room, her earlier lightheartedness fading as reality crept back in. She sat at her desk, staring at the stack of documents.