Chapter 181

Chapter 181 In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

As usual, Ada Wang’s arrival at Medo drew the attention of both the nation and the world.

On the day of the banquet, Skyler had already chosen a stunningly gorgeous purple high-end gown for herself and had carefully rolled up her hair, looking beautiful from head to toe.

Aubree dressed up naturally and attended the banquet, her hair tied up high to reveal a pair of large emerald earrings and the Imperial Green Jade Pendant, the size of a bottle of essential balm, as if she was wearing a villa worth tens of millions of dollars.

“Mom, I recall you have a piece of jade that is superior to this bottle of ‘Wind Oil Essence! Why don’t you don it?” Skyler queried inquisitively.

“No need to mention it. It breaks my heart!”

Aubree gritted her teeth and clenched the ‘Wind Oil Essence’ tightly. “Isn’t it to pay back the debt of that little brat, Grace? I don’t know what offense they have committed to owe tens of millions!”

“I don’t have the money I can use at my disposal. The higher-ups have been scrutinizing it carefully. There haven’t been any patrons in the boutique for two months, so I have to relinquish my affection and sell the jade to Brown Group to plug the gap!”

“My word! You are truly merciless. If I’m to have you, I must shed copious tears. That is my father’s birthday present!”

Skyler also felt pain for her mother, but she asked in confusion, “But I really don’t get it. Why are you going out of your way to help the Brown family like this? Why don’t you just let these no-good relatives die?”

“Humph!” Aubree grumbled discontentedly. “I want to...”

When training Grace to approach and seduce Joseph, she had a mentality of winning, never expecting to make a mistake and lose everything!

Not only did she fail to gain control over Joseph, but the chess pieces she had set in place ended up defeating her as well!

Yesterday, Grace had savored the sweetness of extorting her aunt Aubree. Grace had called from Nialzuct, demanding money, and her hatred for Aubree was so intense that she almost wished Grace dead.

It was a bad idea to kill Grace, for she would never act unless absolutely necessary.

Therefore, she thought of the technique of “recycling” and promised that she would find a way to get Grace back to Medo soon.

Only then did she calm the situation down.

“Mom, what do you think about me wearing this?”

Skyler happily spun around. Ever since that day when she saw Vincent in a purple shirt, she had chosen a purple evening dress for tonight. It was like wearing a matching outfit with Young Master Anderson. “Tonight, I’m sure to wow the entire crowd. I must not let down the Sawle Group!”

“Tonight’s protagonist is Ada Wang, a renowned celebrity abroad. How can you be so incredible?”

Aubree snorted and reached out to pull down Skyler’s deep V collar, which was about to reach her navel. “You don’t get many chances to connect with Young Master Anderson, so you should concentrate more on him instead of squabbling with those black-eyed chickens.”

“What’s the point of you looking more attractive than them? The important thing is whether you can gain access to the Anderson family’s home or not!”

Grace, crippled, had always seen Annie as good-for-nothing, and was content to not be embarrassed by her.

Therefore, she pinned all her hopes on Skyler and endeavored to marry him into the high society, confident that her daughter’s family had the power to ensure a smoother path for the Sawle Group’s rise to power.

“Mom, don’t fret. I’m sure I’ll be the Anderson family’s Young Madam this time!” Skyler declared with assurance.

“Oh? You have a way?” Aubree raised her eyebrows inquisitively.

“Mom, Young Master Anderson’s sister, Zoey, has returned from Puplen. She said she can help me! You know how much Anderson adores his sister. With her around, I can’t worry about being his sister-in-law. The more Skyler spoke, the more excited she became, as if one foot was already in the Anderson family.”

Zoey?”

Aubree’s willowy eyebrows tightened as she remembered when Vincent used to bring a porcelain-doll-like little girl to Mazeland Manor in search of Joseph. The little girl had been very clingy and had wished she could attach herself to that bastard.

“Ah, there’s no such thing as a free ride in this life. Aren’t you worried that you’ll be hit with a hefty bill?”

Aubree sat on the sofa and idly tapped her red nails. “Zoey won’t do you any favors without something in return. Did she make any demands?”

“Mom! No wonder Dad’s so fond of you. You’re really clever!”

“Skyler said, sitting next to her mother, that Zoey is interested in Joseph and her condition is to marry him.”.

“What? How can this be?”

“Zoey is Anderson Group’s daughter. Her brother and that scoundrel are in a relationship. If Zoey marries him, wouldn’t that rogue be like a tiger that has grown wings in Sawle Group? There will be no place for me!” Aubree’s voice suddenly became shrill.

“But, Mom, I’ll still marry Anderson Group. That way, I can help you too!” Skyler’s face paled as he was taken aback by her reaction.

Aubree pursed her lips, which were adorned with a coat of crimson lipstick. Her eyes were dark and quiet for a moment before she suddenly inquired, “How far has Zoey and Joseph’s relationship progressed?”

“There’s no such thing as that,” Skyler pouted, looking depressed. “From what Zoey said, it seems Joseph is fixated on that scoundrel Chloe – Zoey hasn’t got a chance at all.”

“Fantastic!”

“Mom, what do you mean by that?”

“You really are a dimwit. This is a great chance to stir up the connection between Joseph and Vincent!”

“Vincent is the sole son. Despite the fact that Anderson Group is now backed by the Old Master, Vincent has the substantial shares his father bequeathed him. In the future, Anderson Group will be his!”

“If we used Zoey to create a rift between Vincent and Joseph, it would be much more impactful than allowing a young girl to marry in as a mere placeholder!”

“I’m aware of Joseph’s character. If he doesn’t desire it, it would be pointless to try and make him accept it. Therefore, even if Zoey doesn’t wed him, it could become a source of contention between Joseph and Vincent’s friendship.”.

“Their friendship won’t be the same anymore!”

Skyler, suddenly realizing, looked up at Aubree with an expression of adoration.

A faint knock sounded at the door at that moment.

“Come in!” Aubree put away her malicious gaze, composed and unperturbed.

Annie, clutching the little bear, slowly pushed open the door a crack and timidly slipped in from the outside.

When Skyler saw her sister, she thought of the great animosity between them, and wished she could tear Annie and the teddy bear in Annie’s hand to shreds!

“Annie? What are you doing here?” Aubree inquired nonchalantly.

“Mom, mommy...”

Annie bowed her head and embraced the bear tightly in her arms. In a barely audible voice, she queried, “May I... May I join the dinner tonight?”

Aubree and Skyler were both taken aback. It was the first time that this little sister, who had almost been invisible to them, had ever taken the initiative to ask for something.

“Oh dear, my sweet little sister, your virtuous and naive persona is about to be shattered.”

Skyler crossed her legs and said in a peculiar tone, “You heard that Young Master Anderson will be there too, so you can’t help but be eager to meet your dream love? After all, you experienced the joy of being close to Young Master Anderson last time, so you can’t help but want to throw yourself into his arms again? Why are you so flirtatious?”

“I, I didn’t!” Annie had long since forgotten about Vincent, including the ridiculous yet lingering kiss in the grass.

“Sis,” Skyler rolled her eyes in disgust, “you can’t always rely on luck. Don’t you know you’re mentally ill?” She scoffed. “You’re nuts. Aren’t you scared of scaring Young Master Anderson?”

Annie’s face, as white as snow, instantly stiffened. The little bear she held was slightly misshapen.

“Annie, it’s not appropriate for you to go to tonight’s event. Just stay home obediently.”

“Also, no matter what transpired between you and Young Master Anderson in the past, I’m willing to let it go. But don’t you dare cause any more trouble for your sister, or else I’ll make sure you’re severely punished. Got it?” Aubree’s eyes darkened.

“Mommy! I just really want to see Ada Wang... I’m really into the movie she’s in!” Annie was so eager that tears welled up her eyes.

in “Who would believe such a flimsy excuse? Mom, don’t fall for her lies. She may look honest, but she’s actually very deceitful.

She just wants to get her hands on Young Master Anderson!” Skyler gritted her teeth and said hatefully.

“Annie, don’t stand in your sister’s way. You’ve already got me really mad, so don’t give us any more grief.” Aubree spoke in a stern voice, as if she had no familial connection to her.

Annie stood motionless, her head bowed, sniffling in a hurt way.

Her mother’s disregard and her sister’s hatred left her unable to lift her head in this family.

She was a daughter who was ill.

She was a daughter who had brought shame upon the family.

She should not be here, she was an unnecessary presence.