Victoria just smiled shyly and remained silent.
However, Emily couldn’t help but curse in her mind: “What an idiot.”
She didn’t want to continue eating with such a fool. She lazily put down her chopsticks and said, “I’m full.” After that, she got up and left.
Following suit, Victoria also set down her chopsticks. “Grandma, Dad, I’m done eating. I’ll go to my room first. Take your time.”
In comparison to Emily, Victoria always maintained the manners and composure of a refined young lady.
Both sisters entered their rooms successively. Emily sat on the soft princess bed and couldn’t help mocking, “A rustic person from the countryside. She thinks she can make it big in the entertainment industry just because she’s somewhat attractive. It’s laughable.”
“Keep your voice down. If Grandma hears that, it’ll cause trouble again,” Victoria warned.
“That old hag, nearly at death’s door, still throws her weight around in our family. I want to see how many more years she can hold on,” Emily gritted her teeth.
Victoria sighed helplessly, “As long as Grandma is alive, she will always protect Aria. When she gets married in the future, our family will have to provide a substantial dowry for her.”
Victoria had already realized that Mrs. Ada would certainly demand a hefty dowry for Aria, probably not much less than what she and Emily would receive. It was heart-wrenching to think about.
“Why should she? Everything in the Harris family will eventually belong to us. What’s Aria in comparison?” Emily didn’t have her sister’s patience and exploded on the spot.
“It’s pointless getting angry. Dad is a devoted son. Unless Aria doesn’t marry in the next few years, once Grandma passes away, our family won’t have a place for her,” Victoria exchanged a glance with Emily. She stopped at that point. Although her younger sister was a bit foolish, she was currently stretched thin and didn’t have the energy to deal with Aria.
Meanwhile, Emily understood and was diligently thinking about how to trip Aria up, preferably tarnishing her reputation so badly that she would never marry.
“Sis, do you have time for next week’s charity auction?” Emily asked.
“Not sure yet. Why?” Victoria replied.
“The charity auction is just another occasion for those society ladies to size up each other’s daughters. You already have Caleb; there’s no need to show up. Just give me the invitation,” Emily said, extending her hand.
Victoria retrieved a blue floral-print invitation from a drawer and handed it to Emily, asking curiously, “What scheme are you planning now?”
“You’ll find out then,” Emily said mysteriously.
She vowed to make Aria so embarrassed at the event that she would never show her face again.
The Ithaca town’s annual charity auction was as grand as any awards ceremony. The organizers were the noble ladies of the four major families, and the participants were wealthy ladies and heiresses from the upper class.
Several years ago, the charity auction had indeed aimed for donations, but at some point, it had changed. Charity became a pretext, and the auction turned into a matchmaking event for the ladies and their daughters-in-law.
Many heiresses had married into prestigious families through this auction, so the annual event was highly sought after. Tickets were hard to come by, and the price for a single entry pass had even reached tens of thousands online.
Having recently returned to the country, Aria hadn’t received an invitation. When Mrs. Ada was worried about this, Victoria gave her own ticket to Aria.
Mrs. Ada was very pleased with her granddaughter’s thoughtfulness.
“Grandma, Victoria cousin is so nice. You don’t know, the entry pass for the charity auction is already selling online for seventy thousand,” Aria exclaimed, holding the blue floral-print entry pass, utterly delighted.
“She’s still sensible. If you didn’t have this entry pass, I’d have your uncle buy one for you,” Mrs. Ada held her granddaughter’s hand, speaking with great emphasis, “Aria, you must seize this opportunity and make those ladies and young masters like you.”
“Grandma, I’m still young and don’t want to marry so soon. I want to spend more time with you,” blushing, Aria said, leaning against Mrs. Ada’s shoulder, acting coquettish.
Mrs. Ada affectionately patted her shoulder, “Silly girl, you’re young now, and that’s your asset. Seeing you happily married would settle one of grandma’s worries, and when I’m in heaven, I’ll have something to tell your mother.”
She had been shrewd all her life and had seen through everything. As long as she was alive, she could shelter Aria. But once she passed away, there wouldn’t be a place for Aria in the Harris family.
That’s why, before she died, she had to arrange her granddaughter’s lifelong matters properly.
“Grandma, those clothes were all worn when I was in England. They’re not suitable for the charity auction. I want Victoria to accompany me to pick out a few dresses,” Aria added.
She never chose clothes or jewelry by herself; she always brought someone else to pay the bills. They all tacitly understood this.
Mrs. Ada nodded in agreement.
During dinner, Mrs. Ada suggested that Victoria accompany Aria to buy clothes.
Victoria, claiming she was too busy with work, refused. She had already given up her entry pass, yet they still wanted her to cover the clothing expenses. They were taking advantage of her generosity.
Victoria’s refusal was polite, but Mrs. Ada was still displeased.
Charlotte then smiled and said, “Mom, Victoria is at the peak of her career now, fully booked. She doesn’t even have time to attend the charity auction, let alone time to accompany Aria for clothes shopping. I suggest letting Emily and Isabella accompany Aria instead. All three of them are participating in the charity auction, and each can pick two sets of clothes.”
After finishing, Charlotte turned to David and added, “David, the money for the clothes will be on you.”
Her proposal pleased everyone, and David nodded in satisfaction.