Catherine’s POV
I noticed that Emily, who was next to me, had a look of resentment on her face after what Patricia had said.
I shook hands with the elders of the royal pack and greeted them one by one with Patricia’s introduction.
“Madam Chavez, your future granddaughter-in-law is so beautiful.”
“Yeah, and she looks young as well. I heard that she already has two kids. How nice!”
Patricia could not help smiling when her two lovely great-grandchildren were mentioned. They were the best gift she could ever dream of.
“That’s right. Noah and Hedwig are lovely. They are simply adorable! I will bring them over someday!” Patricia said proudly.
“We saw them last time. Their pretty faces are so cute!”
I stood beside them and listened as Patricia chatted with them about the kids. As their mother, they’re perfect in my eyes. Others, however, may not share the same feelings.
And I was embarrassed by the compliment.
Emily stood beside me. She seemed frustrated since all the attention was on me.
“Madam Chavez, Emily is here as well! Has she found her mate yet?” asked a lady, noticing Emily.
Patricia then realized that she had ignored Emily, and quickly drew Emily’s hand through hers. “Emily, why don’t you tell her about it yourself?”
Emily only said, “Not yet!”
“Madam Chavez, is it because your family has too many rules?” someone asked.
Patricia said with a smile, “I wanted to help her find her mate, but she kept saying that she wasn’t in a hurry, so I simply let it be. If you know any outstanding young men, don’t forget to tell Emily. She is a great girl.”
“Grandma…” Emily pouted and blushed.
The ladies chuckled as Emily blushed.
Patricia persuaded Emily, “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You and Blake are about the same age, and he already has two kids. The clock is ticking!”
I looked at Emily. Her face stiffened for a moment, as I had expected.
Then Emily glared at me resentfully and laid all the blame on me.
I looked back into her resentful eyes and casually took a sip of my coffee.
“My grandson is in the royal pack with the Council and is learning about management. How about we meet up for a meal someday?” said a lady and she was eager to be the matchmaker.
Although Emily was adopted, she was considered the Chavez family’s daughter after all.
I looked at Emily’s expression of disgust and knew that there must be a great deal going on in her mind at the moment.
“By the way, Madam Chavez, may I know which pack is Catherine from?” Someone asked abruptly.
I was holding a cup of coffee, and my hand stiffened a little.
Patricia pulled a long face.
“She is not from a prestigious family, but her family is fine. It’s not that important. What matters is that my grandson adores her. And I like her, too. She is considerate and gentle!” Patricia knew that my family was not something to brag about, so she complimented me on my personality.
I knew Patricia was trying her best to defend me.
Patricia was not keen on the subject, and the ladies knew it by the look on her face.
Therefore, no one said more about this topic.
“Grandma, I saw a few friends. I’ll go and greet them!” Emily stood up and then deliberately looked at me. “Catherine, we’re around the same age. Why don’t you come and meet my friends? I’ll introduce you to them.”
I was surprised. Just as I was thinking about rejecting her, Patricia said, “Not a bad idea. Catherine, you should go with Emily and make some new friends.”
I stood up reluctantly. “OK, Grandma!”
Emily and I walked toward the group of young girls in the distance. Halfway there I stopped. “I want to use the bathroom!”
Emily laughed sarcastically. “What is it? You don’t have the guts to know women in our circle?”
The corner of my mouth twitched. “What makes you think like that?”
“Aren’t you? You are ashamed of your background!” Emily never gave up using my background to smear and attack me.
She thought my background was my sore spot.
I was stunned for a moment. Then I raised my chin and replied, “Emily, you’re the one with low self-esteem. Do you not know the saying? One loves to brag about what one lacks most. I’ve never belittled myself for where I came from. Instead, it was you who kept bringing it up. You should be ashamed of yourself, not me. At least, my parents loved me when I was young. But you came from an orphanage!”
Emily didn’t expect that I would hit her sore spot. She was enraged and her face turned pale.
At the same time, Emily’s friends spotted us and walked over.
It was too late for me to turn away.
Emily sneered as she watched her friends coming toward us to back her up.
Though I was in a nice dress, I wasn’t wearing any eye-catching jewelry today, let alone a pricey handbag that was worth a second glance.
Even my makeup was plain.
Emily probably expected me to be lashed out by her friends with the most vicious words.
“Are you Catherine?” Suddenly, a girl ran over and grabbed my arm. “I went to your new product launch. Your autumn and winter clothes are so beautiful.”
I was stunned. Then some other girls turned to me, looking surprised.
“Catherine? The person from the design department at the Chavez Group, who is responsible for new product launches. I heard it’s very expensive to hire her for a tailored dress!”
“That’s right. The price has already reached several million dollars.”
I did not expect them to recognize me, or even to talk about my design.
Although I was not quite confident, I did not want to show Emily the white feather.
“I heard all the female stars in Leo’s company are lining up to hire you as their designer. Is it still possible to make an appointment with you now?”
I figured out who was secretly helping me make a name. Who else could it be but Leo?
I owed him a debt of gratitude. Without him, I would never have gotten this far.