The president’s face turned ashen, but his long-held position of power made it nearly impossible to conceal his authoritative aura.
Especially now, facing Sylvia, he unleashed his full presence, assuming it would intimidate her.
However, Sylvia merely smiled at him, showing no trace of fear.
It was as if the person standing before her wasn’t a president but just an ordinary middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man felt a bit dizzy with anger.
This Sylvia! Damn her. She had the nerve to return now and disrupt all his plans.
But in front of so many people, the president couldn’t do or say anything inappropriate.
He still had to display the magnanimity and demeanor befitting his status.
A fake smile quickly appeared on his face. “Sylvia, it’s been a long time. You have become even more beautiful.”
His words were disgustingly exaggerated.
“Mr. President, you too. You look as noble and radiant as ever,” Sylvia replied with a smile.
She was elegant and poised, her smile gentle and dignified. If the president didn’t know her well, he might have thought she was being sincere.
In reality, Sylvia’s words were barbed, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Everyone at the banquet watched this strange scene, vaguely sensing that the president didn’t like Sylvia.
If he approved of this daughter-in-law, he wouldn’t have let Franklin invite Lara to dance.
Especially since their conversation seemed to carry hidden daggers.
The banquet soon began. Franklin stayed by Sylvia’s side, the handsome couple drawing everyone’s gaze.
Lara stood in a corner, her eyes occasionally drifting to Sylvia.
But when someone greeted her, she would still smile gently, maintaining her image as a kind and gentle socialite.
“Did you see that?” Donald walked over with a wine glass in hand, his eyes also on the most eye-catching couple. “They are a match made in heaven. Give up.”
“Daddy,” Lara smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t take it too hard. Besides, Miss Andrews is so beautiful; it’s truly humbling.”
She behaved gracefully and appropriately, as if she had really let go.
Donald glanced at her but said nothing.
After all, when Sylvia first arrived, Lara’s excited yet defeated expression didn’t seem like someone ready to move on.
Donald’s trust in Lara had significantly diminished.
“Let’s hope you mean what you say.” After speaking, Donald walked over to Louis, who had just arrived and seemed agitated. “I ran into a madman on the road who kept blocking my car like a lunatic.”
“And then?” Donald raised an eyebrow. “How could someone be so clueless? That driver is really unprofessional.”
“It drove me crazy. I almost called the police,” Louis said while glancing at Sylvia. “Isn’t that my dear Sylvia? How beautiful she looks tonight!”
Lara stood behind Donald, growing increasingly jealous at Louis’s affectionate tone when mentioning Sylvia.
That’s her uncle! Why was he so fond of Sylvia?
The more she thought about it, the more unbalanced she felt.
Donald was her adoptive father, and Louis was her uncle, yet they both favored Sylvia over her.
What connection did Sylvia have with them?
Even if they were master and disciple, could that surpass familial bonds?
Lara felt extremely uncomfortable.
She grew to dislike Sylvia even more, thinking this woman was simply detestable.
Was she born to be her nemesis?
Stealing men was one thing, but also stealing the affection and care of her elders?
Lara thought bitterly, “Bitch, let’s see how I deal with you. This is my territory in Aettosa. I don’t believe I can’t handle a little bitch from H Rovirsa.”
In the socialite circle, she was always high and mighty, with several close friends around her.
Thinking of this, she smirked.
Especially since she saw Carley, who had reportedly regained her looks recently.
And the lady of the Sweeney family had become disfigured… Lara’s mind began to scheme.
After greeting Louis and his brother, she walked over to a group of young ladies gathered in a corner.
These ladies usually had a good relationship with her; after all, many in the socialite circle wanted to curry favor with her.
She walked over slowly in her high heels, and the young ladies immediately surrounded her with flattering words. “Miss Fox, you look stunning tonight.”
“Yes! Is that dress a limited edition?”
“Not just limited edition; it’s the latest model, right?”
“Oh my, your evening bag is also gorgeous.”
Lara enjoyed their flattery, finally feeling a bit better. These women knew how to please her.
Her tense expression finally relaxed a bit. “This dress isn’t that special. It’s just average. My daddy had it airlifted from France.”
This statement instantly made the young ladies envious and jealous.
“By the way, Miss Hayes, I heard you were looking for a famous teacher to learn the zither recently? How’s that going?” Lara asked casually.
Miss Hayes was taken aback but quickly replied, “I’ve been practicing the dulcimer since childhood and switched to the zither last year. Why do you ask?”
The Hayes family was known for their scholarly background. Miss Hayes was also a graduate of a prestigious school. She wasn’t strikingly beautiful but had a delicate charm that made her less conspicuous among the socialites.
Though part of Lara’s circle, she usually kept a low profile and wasn’t very noticeable.
So being singled out by Lara made her nervous, not understanding Lara’s intentions.
While she was lost in thought, she heard Lara’s sickly sweet voice say, “Miss Hayes, I heard Sylvia has exceptional musical talent… How about…”
Was she being used as a pawn?
Miss Hayes blushed and hesitated before saying, “I’m not very skilled; I’d rather not. I’ve heard about her too. She’s your uncle’s disciple; I wouldn’t dare provoke her.”
No way was she going to be cannon fodder and become a laughingstock.
“I heard… Sylvia is also a designer and dances well. She even embarrassed the young master of the Sweeney family last time!” another socialite said.
“Shh! Mr. Sweeney is coming over.”
At that moment, Tristan and Marcelo walked over. Such occasions were never without them.
The twin brothers’ almost identical handsome faces attracted many women’s attention.
But their menacing aura made everyone keep their distance; no one dared approach them.
Franklin was cold and noble, while these brothers were sinister.
Both were cold but in different ways.
Other socialites might not dare provoke the brothers, but Lara greeted them with a graceful smile. “Young Masters Sweeney, long time no see.”
“Miss Fox, what? Have you set your sights on Mr. Maskelyne?” Tristan’s cold face showed a wicked smile as he glanced at Lara.
“Mr. Sweeney, your straightforwardness is still as unpleasant as ever,” Lara said haughtily. “What? Have you set your sights on Sylvia?”
Her words were blunt and rude.
The young ladies around them turned pale. Was it really okay to speak like this in front of Tristan?
Just when they thought Tristan would be furious, he laughed lowly. “Miss Fox, why not? Once I get Sylvia, Franklin is all yours. How about that?”
Lara thought aligning with him was like making a deal with the devil.
But right now… she had no better options. She could only wait and see what happened next.
“Alright!” Lara casually swirled her wine glass. “Mr. Sweeney, do you have any good ideas?”
Tristan leaned in and whispered something in Lara’s ear.
Lara raised an eyebrow. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”
The young ladies grew nervous, unsure of their plans but fearing being dragged into it.
Although Sylvia came from a small place like Larro, she was still the daughter of the Hipps family.
The Hipps family might not be as powerful as before but was still influential.
So Lara looked down at the young ladies and said, “Miss Andrews is new here. Let’s go toast to her; otherwise, we’d seem rude.”
“Toast?” Miss Hayes grew anxious again. What was there to toast?
It felt like another trap!
“Yes, let’s go.” With that, Lara led the group of socialites over to Sylvia.
Franklin had gone to socialize elsewhere; only Carley and Mollie were with Sylvia now.
The three girls quickly bonded over skincare products when they saw a shadow fall over them. Looking up, they saw Lara leading a group of socialites standing before them.
“Miss Andrews, I toast to you. It’s nice to meet you.” Lara raised her glass first; somehow, her red wine had been replaced with clear liquid-white wine.
A servant behind her held a tray with two bottles of white wine.
The socialites’ glasses were also filled with white wine.
This…
One round of drinking would surely get anyone drunk!
Carley stood up displeased and said protectively, “Miss Fox if all of you toast at once, Miss Andrews will surely get drunk. If you’re sincere, I hope you’ll switch to red wine.”