âAshlyn Berry?â A spark appeared in Biancaâs eyes when she heard Ashlynâs name. She raised her head and gazed at the woman in front of her.
Shock flashed across her eyes.
She never expected Ashlyn to look that beautiful and elegant.
It didnât matter if it was the young womanâs figure or demeanor, both were undoubtedly excellent.
The shock in the old womanâs eyes was obvious to see.
Ashlyn stepped forward and smiled gracefully. âHappy birthday, Old Mrs. Yates. I hope youâll live a long and happy life.â
When she smiled, it was as though the entire hall lit up.
She was like a star, forever being the center of everyoneâs attention wherever she went.
Penelope couldnât believe her eyes. Why is she here? Not only that, she was personally introduced by Uncle Ryan!
Maryâs face was filled with jealousy and hate. Why is that b*tch here? How dare she come here to make a mess! She doesnât belong here!
She and her daughterâs expression looked terrifyingly wretched, as though they were going to eat people.
Bianca had heard too many bad things about Ashlyn before.
Thus, she thought Ashlyn was just a vulgar woman from the countryside, a country bumpkin who knew nothing of good etiquette.
And yet, Ashlyn appeared so dignified that she completely outclassed Penelope.
For some reason that she didnât understand, Bianca felt the urge to cry.
Ashlyn was her ideal granddaughter in that Ashlyn was graceful, beautiful, and the perfect model of a true socialite.
Fate was cruel that way.
âWhy are you here too, Ashlyn?â An old womanâs voice rang out at the entrance.
As the crowd shifted their attention to the voiceâs owner, they spotted an old woman in a dark red outfit entering the hall with a housekeeper.
That old woman was none other than Susan.
The moment Ashlyn saw her, a familial feeling surfaced in her heart. Just as she was about to greet the old woman, Susan swiftly approached her as well.
âGrandmaââ
Before she could say more, Susan cut her off unhappily. âHow can you do this? Donât you know this is the Countâs Mansion and your auntâs home? Are you here to cause trouble again?â
âIâm not here to cause trouble.â Ashlyn was confounded by the old womanâs words. Why is she saying that? Iâm just here to look for Old Mr. Yates!
Susan turned to Bianca apologetically. âIâm so sorry, Old Mrs. Yates. My granddaughter is very crude and doesnât know anything about manners or rules. She was upset that I didnât bring her to attend your birthday banquet with me and probably came here to cause trouble. Usually, sheâs very⦠Thereâs no way to put it nicely. Sheâs just very disobedient.â
In just a few sentences, she planted the idea that Ashlyn was a vulgar, ill-mannered woman in peopleâs minds.
Susan was there for a reason. Mary had promised her that if everything went smoothly, she would save Horace.
When Susan thought about her goals, she continued to make Ashlyn look worse.
She reprimanded Ashlyn in front of everyone seriously, âDid you follow me in secret? What are you trying to do?â It was then she saw Greg, who was standing next to Ashlyn, and exclaimed, âYou! This man sat next to me on my plane here! He harassed me and insulted me! Look at what kind of friends she has.â
When Greg saw Susan, he initially thought they were quite lucky to be able to meet again.
Before he could even greet her, however, she took a huge dump on him.
He was equally flabbergasted and angry. Is she really saying that I, the director responsible for the highest-grossing movie this year, the person who was just nominated for the best director award in the award show, harassed her, a seventy-odd-year-old woman? Yeah, sure, maybe if my head had been kicked by a mule!
The guests in the hall were all notable in their own ways. Their initial amazement at Ashlyn swiftly transformed into shock and contempt.
Not only that, they began looking at Greg with disdain, too.