Franklin watched the president storm off, expressionless as he continued eating.
It was as if he wasn’t the one who had just angered the president.
He ate with such elegance, as if his meal were a piece of art rather than dinner.
An important meeting? Ridiculous. Would the president really include him in something important?
Franklin sneered inwardly. The president guarded against him like a thief.
Afraid he might infiltrate the center of power and challenge him.
But… Franklin slowly curled his thin lips. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t gather power.
It was time to strike back.
He glanced at Jasper standing not far behind him. “Jasper.”
Jasper immediately understood and approached him.
After Franklin whispered a few words to him, Jasper nodded. “I’ll take care of it right away.”
He turned and left, while Franklin continued to eat his dinner leisurely.
Meanwhile, at the Hipps family, the lively atmosphere of dinner had finally come to an end.
The three Hipps sisters returned to their residence together.
Jaelynn looked at the heavy night sky and the crescent moon hanging above. “Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up. Will the family host a Mid-Autumn banquet? Are you planning to send mooncakes to the main house?”
Annika tucked her hair behind her ear. “Of course, we will! Not sending them would make us look like we don’t care about the festival. And what about Sylvia, the real daughter? Should we try to befriend her? It seems like Grandma wants Sylvia to make friends. We’re family, after all. Should we invite her out shopping?”
Maritza felt a surge of anger at the mention of befriending Sylvia.
But she knew that expressing her true feelings might lead to isolation.
She had already embarrassed herself with the perfume incident last time.
So, she forced a smile despite her disgust. “Annika’s right. How about we invite Sylvia out for hotpot? Maybe catch a fashion show too. I heard the autumn-winter fashion show is starting soon.”
“Sounds good! That’s a great idea. Who’s getting the tickets?” Jaelynn agreed.
“Maritza should handle it. She knows more people in the fashion industry,” Annika suggested, recalling Maritza’s past as a perfume designer.
“Alright then.” Maritza felt like she was digging her own grave.
Fashion show tickets weren’t easy to get; she’d have to pull some strings and offer valuable gifts.
Just thinking about it made her heart ache, especially since she needed four tickets, not just one.
The more she thought about it, the more upset she became.
But she couldn’t admit defeat.
Back in her room, she immediately started making calls and pulling favors.
After calling almost everyone she could think of, she managed to get only three tickets. She was so angry she nearly threw her phone.
With three people and only three tickets, who wouldn’t go? Was she, the one who got the tickets, supposed to stay behind?
What now?
Forget it. It was late; she’d think about it tomorrow.
But as she lay in bed, she couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning over those three tickets that seemed to bind her.
If they were going, all four had to go. If not, none would go.
If she couldn’t get a fourth ticket, she’d sell the three she had.
No one would go!
That was her last thought before falling asleep.
Morning sunlight streamed in as Sylvia received a call just after waking up. “Oh? Fashion week? A show? I’m not really interested.”
“Alright, I’ll check it out.”
“Is there anything new this year?”
Sylvia yawned and hung up.
The call was from Isaac’s assistant, inviting her and some X Group executives and designers to watch the show. X Group had reserved seats and space at the venue.
As X Group’s chief designer, it made sense for her to attend and exchange ideas with other designers.
Many designers wanted to seek her advice.
With nothing else to do at home, she decided to go.
After washing up and heading downstairs, she found that Isaac had sent over more than ten tickets.
Looking at the stack of tickets, Sylvia blinked. “Why so many?”
The young girl delivering them looked at Sylvia with wide, admiring eyes. “Designer X, you’re so beautiful.”
“Answer my question.” Sylvia didn’t want to waste time on small talk.
“Uh, Mr. Carr said you could have as many as you wanted for friends or family, so he sent extra.” The girl quickly composed herself and added nervously, “Is it not enough? I have five more here.”
She counted them out. “Twenty-two in total. Is that okay?”
Sylvia couldn’t help but laugh. Well, the Hipps family was large enough.
Evie was also bored at home; it might be fun to take her out too.
“Alright, thank you. Leave them here.”
Early in the morning, Jaelynn and Annika went to Maritza’s place.
Maritza hadn’t slept well worrying about the tickets.
With dark circles under her eyes, she checked her phone and saw a message on Facebook saying someone could get her one more ticket.
Finally, four tickets were secured.
She felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
Just as she woke up, her two sisters arrived, and they all headed to the main house together.
But as they reached the main house’s entrance, they saw a young girl they didn’t recognize walking out of the courtyard.
The three sisters exchanged puzzled looks. When did the Hipps family get a new young girl?
Their curiosity was interrupted when they saw Sylvia coming out and saying goodbye to the girl.
Turning around, Sylvia noticed them too.
Sylvia was surprised. What were these three doing here so early?
But she didn’t think much of it and waved the stack of tickets in her hand. “My brother sent me some fashion week tickets. Do you want to go?”
Seeing Sylvia holding such a thick stack of tickets, Maritza’s face turned pale.
Sylvia’s presence always seemed to remind her of a cruel fact: what was difficult for Maritza was effortless for Sylvia.
Comparisons were infuriating.
Maritza thought about how she’d begged and pleaded for those three tickets last night and how she’d exhausted herself this morning to get a fourth one.
She owed so many favors now. And yet…
Sylvia had over twenty tickets in her hand!
Her chest tightened painfully; she could hardly breathe.
But she held it in and forced a smile. “Sure! Thank you.”
Jaelynn and Annika were stunned, exchanging surprised glances. Weren’t they supposed to invite Sylvia? Now they were taking Sylvia’s tickets?
Maritza had secured four tickets; it was up to her how to use them.
So Jaelynn and Annika each took a ticket from Sylvia. “Great! We’ll go together then. Thanks!”
“Thank you. It’s great being family with you.”
Both sisters flattered Sylvia as they took their tickets and walked back together.
“Maritza, didn’t you get tickets? Why take hers?” Jaelynn asked in confusion.
Maritza shrugged. “Free tickets are still free tickets. I went through a lot of trouble for mine; hers were just given to her. She has better connections. I’ll sell my four tickets online.”
Annika rolled her eyes. “You…”
This woman was hopeless-over a few tickets?
But Sylvia’s so-called “brother”… He sounded impressive.
To get so many tickets at once was enviable.
Jaelynn said nothing but felt that Maritza was becoming increasingly shortsighted.
“Tomorrow is the fashion week opening ceremony. Have you prepared your dresses? We can’t look shabby at the show; we represent the Hipps family.”
“How about we go shopping this afternoon and invite Sylvia?” Annika suggested. “What do you think?”
Jaelynn agreed. “Absolutely. Let’s use this chance to bond with Sylvia. If Grandma sees us getting along with her, our lives will be easier.”
She realized that Grandma’s attention was all on Sylvia now.
Competing with Sylvia was futile for them three sisters.
Better to get along with Sylvia and secure some benefits.
After lunch, the three went back to the main house and explained their intentions as soon as they entered.
Seeing them actively trying to befriend Sylvia put Old Mrs. Hipps in a good mood. She nodded approvingly and told a servant, “Call Miss down and see if she’s free.”
When Sylvia came downstairs and saw the three sisters, she was puzzled. Shouldn’t they be hostile towards her for stealing their spotlight?
This sudden change in attitude confused her a bit.
“Sylvia, why don’t you go shopping with them? Buy some clothes, skincare products, jewelry-whatever you like.” Old Mrs. Hipps enthusiastically handed over a bank card. “This is your pocket money from Grandma.”
It seemed like Old Mrs. Hipps’ lifelong wish of giving pocket money to her granddaughter had finally come true.
Her joy was unmistakable.
Sylvia obediently agreed. “Alright then. Should I drive?”
“Why drive yourself? We have drivers for that. Take the extended Rolls-Royce; let everyone see that the Hipps family’s ladies are going shopping.” Old Mrs. Hipps grew more excited by the minute. “There’s plenty of money on this card; you four can spend it all!”