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There was no chance she would willingly leave!
After her humiliation at the last investment banquet, Luna had to restore her reputation today.
“Luna, don’t waste your time with someone like her.”
Just then, Mia caught a familiar scent of perfume. She immediately knew who the newcomer was without needing to guess.
But considering Sharon had already been forcefully sent away, Mia found it unexpected that Shelly was still hanging around.
As Shelly arrived, Luna couldn’t help but steal a sidelong glance in her direction. Finally, it appeared that this dimwit might prove useful after all.
Despite Shelly’s prior disdain for Luna, she now found herself groveling at Luna’s feet, eager to capitalize on Luna’s connections within the elite circles of Nord City.
In Bern City, Shelly had few prospects of marrying into a prestigious family. Her sole glimmer of hope rested in Nord City, where perhaps a wealthy family would overlook the Barrett family’s status and deem her a suitable match.
Giving Shelly pointed look, Mia replied, “Have you conveniently forgotten how you used to belittle Luna, both openly and behind closed doors Now that Luna seems to be lee gaining some ground, you’re eagerly trying to cozy up to her.
“Shelly, you’re an heiress of the Barrett family, for goodness’ sake. Can’t you hold onto a shred of self-respect? Please, show some dignity!”
At times, Mia found it puzzling. After all, both Shelly and Luna were part of the Barrett family, so why was Shelly so different?
Not long ago, Shelly and Luna were constantly at odds. But to Mia’s surprise, Shelly had undergone a dramatic transformation, almost as if she were an entirely different person.
Feeling her pride wounded, Shelly swiftly responded, “Mia, you don’t know the whole story. My relationship with Luna was quite cordial before.
“It was your interference and attempts to sow discord between us that led to our current situation. Now that we’ve seen through your manipulations, it’s only natural for us to stand together against you.” Shelly now understood that if she wanted to establish herself in Nord City, she could only rely on her own efforts.
With Sharon already influenced by Mia and sent back to Bern City, she knew she couldn’t count on anyone else.
If Shelly hoped to secure a prosperous match in Nord City, she had to carve out her own path.
Indeed, she had little confidence that Timothy would offer any assistance.
Observing Shelly’s unyielding demeanor, Mia decided to refrain from further discussion.
Instead, she turned her attention to Luna. “Ms. Maynard, have you decided when you’ll inform the staff of your departure? They can promptly handle the necessary arrangements for you.
“It would be prudent to act now, while the guests have yet to arrive. There’s still time to secure an alternative venue. We wouldn’t want Asher’s birthday celebration to encounter any disruptions, would we?” Luna was immediately incensed, gritting her teeth in frustration. Her initial aim had been to provoke Mia, but she hadn’t anticipated Mia’s bold response.
Much to Luna’s disbelief, Mia seized the opportunity and refused to let it slip away.
But how could Luna possibly change venues for the banquet at such short notice?
Standing nearby, Shelly wore a surprised expression. “Luna, are you seriously considering changing hotels? Count me in I’m with you. There are plenty of hotels out there, not just Aide Castle Hotel.
“I can’t stand the arrogance of certain individuals who think they’re better than everyone else. It’s just a hotel business, after all. What’s there to be so arrogant about?”
Mia glanced over with a knowing smile. “Well, well, it seems that some people have conveniently forgotten how they used to brag about their partnership with Aide Castle Hotel in front of me.
“Not to mention shamelessly seeking help in organizing events. Do the Barretts all suffer from selective memory loss? Forgetting things quite quickly, aren’t we?”
Instantly, the atmosphere grew awkward.
Feeling embarrassed by her previous behavior, Shelly added, honestly had no idea you were the owner of Aide Castle Hotel. If had known, I wouldn’t have considered hosting any event here.
“But honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. Luna, let’s inform the staff right away that we’ll be relocating the event. Frankly, nobody here is concerned about you.”
With that, Shelly took hold of Luna’s arm, ready to leave. However, Luna hesitated after only a few steps. What nonsense was Shelly spouting?
In reality, Luna wasn’t eager to change the venue for the banquet. After all, hosting an event at Aide Castle Hotel in Nord City would garner recognition from the net entre upper echelon of society, making it a great opportunity for Asher
How could Luna possibly hinder Asher’s entry into high society?
With a smirk, Mia glanced over and remarked, “Is there anything else Ms. Maynard needs clarification on? The check-out procedure is quite straightforward; there’s no need to worry.”
“Who said anything about leaving?” Luna reluctantly conceded, “Honestly, Ms. Lane, I was just teasing you earlier. You didn’t take it seriously, did you?”
“I apologize, but I have a tendency to approach things with a serious. mindset. Ms. Maynard, I hope you will refrain from making jokes lightly going forward. We wouldn’t want you to risk embarrassing yourself now, would we?”
Standing nearby, Shelly was visibly incensed. Rolling her eyes disdainfully, she interjected, “Luna, did you extend an invitation to Mia today?” Luna chuckled in response. “Looks like I forgot.”
Suddenly, a voice intervened, dispersing the tension. “What’s all this talk about? Ms. Lane is a distinguished guest I personally invited.”
As Mia glanced up, she couldn’t help but notice Raymond approaching. With a meaningful expression, she remarked, “Well, it certainly seems that Ms. Maynard isn’t particularly welcoming to me.” “Ms. Lane, perhaps you’re being a bit harsh. Luna is still learning and getting used to things. Please be patient with her,” Raymond interjected, attempting to mediate.
“But Ms. Maynard is in her thirties; she’s an adult, not a toddler. Should I be the one bending over backward to accommodate her? Frankly, some might even question her intelligence if they knew about this.” Feeling defensive, Luna retorted, “Whom are you suggesting might have maturity issues?”
“Luna, what’s with the attitude? Apologize to Ms. Lane right away, understood? She’s a guest I personally invited today. How could you speak to her like that?”
Raymond’s disappointment was evident as he observed Luna’s behavior. He had always seen her as an intelligent woman, but it seemed she struggled to foster positive relationships with others. “But Dad, I didn’t even extend an invitation to her for today’s event.”
Luna had meticulously reviewed the guest list beforehand, making sure to familiarize herself with everyone attending the occasion.
It was essential for her to recognize the relatives and friends of the Shelbert family in attendance, as they might become valuable connections for her in the future.
Upon reviewing the guest list and noticing the absence of the Lane family, Luna couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. After all, Mia’s presence always seemed to disrupt her plans. “Ms. Lane is a distinguished guest, invited by me personally. A formal invitation wasn’t necessary. Is there any concern about that?”
However, Luna’s inner objections persisted. Today held immense significance for her.
Whenever Mia showed up, her meticulous plans seemed to unravel. The sight of Mia earlier had stirred a sense of dread within Luna, fueling her desire for Mia to leave the event.
Despite her inner turmoil, Luna refrained from expressing her thoughts. After all, her livelihood still depended on Raymond.
But with Asher gradually solidifying his place within the Shelbert family and Raymond approaching his golden years, Luna saw a window for redemption.
Thus, she resolved to persevere, drawing on the endurance she had displayed over many years. With an opportunity finally presenting itself, Luna felt a renewed determination. Swiftly altering her demeanor, Luna turned to Mia, saying, “I apologize, Ms. Lane. My words earlier were out of line. Please don’t take offense.
“It’s truly an honor to have you, the esteemed heiress of the Lane family, grace our event today. How could I not extend a warm welcome? was simply caught off guard by your presence.”
Raymond nodded approvingly at the scene before turning his attention to the other guests.
Approaching Luna, Mia gave her a light pat on the shoulder. “Well done. Your restraint was impressive this time. hope you can maintain this fa?ade and keep your true intentions concealed in the future.” S
Luna’s expression shifted uncomfortably at Mia’s words. “What do you mean? What is it that you’re after?”
“Hey, why are you tense? Have you been up to some mischief, fretting over the consequences catching up with you?” Mia teased before strolling away, paying no further heed to Luna.
The day’s real drama had yet to unfold, and Mia knew she wasn’t the protagonist in it.
As Mia walked away, Luna couldn’t shake off a sudden wave of unease.
Nonetheless, she couldn’t quite grasp what else Mia might have in store.
After all, Jasmine had already been ousted from the family, and rumors swirled about Raymond’s impending divorce from Alison.
If their marriage did dissolve, Luna and Asher would be the only ones left by his side.
Thus, it seemed plausible that the inheritance from Raymond would naturally fall into the hands of Luna and Asher.
Was Jasmine perhaps plotting something behind the scenes? However, it appeared unlikely.
As long as Raymond remained committed to adopting Asher, Jasmine’s efforts would be in vain.
After all, individuals from families as proud and arrogant as Jasmine’s would never abide by such a scenario.
It seemed inevitable that Alison would enlist the services of a lawyer to commence the divorce proceedings, a move that would undoubtedly work in her favor. Luna couldn’t envision any other hidden intricacies.
Meanwhile, Mia stepped aside to oversee the entire banquet setup, ensuring every detail was flawless. Today’s birthday theme was her brainchild, tailored especially for children. Perhaps witnessing today’s event setup at Aide Castle Hotel would inspire attendees to plan their children’s birthday celebrations here, choosing a similarly themed hall. Shortly thereafter, Luna was spotted strolling alongside Raymond, with Asher in tow, a self-satisfied expression gracing her features.
Mia believed that today marked the apex of Luna’s life, following all the planning and struggles to establish herself.
However, for some, the higher they ascend, the more deadly the potential fall.
The ache of yearning for the unattainable was one matter, but the torment of losing something once possessed was a hundred times worse.
At that moment, Raymond approached the microphone and conveyed his gratitude to everyone present.
Glancing at Asher by his side, he continued, “Throughout all these years, our family has been without children. Luna’s son appears to be a perfect addition. “From this day forward, he will bear the Shelbert last name and be embraced as a member of our family, my grandson.”
As Raymond concluded his speech, the room erupted into applause. Luna finally displayed a relieved expression-her goal had been achieved at last.
She could almost envision Asher growing up and inheriting all of Raymond’s wealth. By then, she would also be affluent and no longer subjected to disdain.
“Wait a minute.”
At that instant, Jasmine’s voice shattered the mood, capturing everyone’s focus as she entered the banquet hall.
She adorned a chic black evening gown, her features devoid of heavy makeup except for a striking red lipstick. Despite this, she emitted a commanding presence. S
Witnessing Jasmine’s metamorphosis, a hint of satisfaction flickered in Mia’s eyes. It appeared that the once timid woman had finally come into her own.
As Jasmine made her entrance, murmurs rippled through the guests, sparking conversations among them.
Of course, they couldn’t openly delve into Raymond’s private affairs, but beneath the surface, everyone was well aware of the situation. After all, hidden secrets were commonplace in affluent families.
