“Aria, now is not the time to be stubborn. I heard from your uncle that Mrs. Hannah wants to use this art exhibition to find a wife for the eldest grandson of the Turner family. It doesn’t matter if she likes you or not, as long as his grandson likes you,” Mrs. Ada’s aged hands held her granddaughter’s face.
“Turner family is one of the four major families. He’ve seen many beauties; how could they possibly like me?” Aria said dejectedly, still looking listless.
Without another word, Mrs. Ada directly pressed her in front of the dressing table, “It’s just a mishap at the auction, why do you lack confidence? Look at you, so beautiful; you’re naturally meant for a wealthy family.”
Aria pursed her lips, looking at herself in the mirror.
Her appearance was considered fair, but there was still a gap between her and Isabella and Emily.
She sighed subconsciously, not due to a lack of confidence but because her cousins made her feel inferior.
“Will Emily and Isabella also go to the art exhibition?” Aria asked.
“Yes,” Mrs. Ada replied, her tone clearly disapproving.
Emily was currently single, and when she encountered such a good opportunity to become the bride of the Turner family’s eldest grandson, she wouldn’t miss it. These days, she was busy shopping and going to the beauty salon.
As for Isabella, she swore she really just wanted to join in the fun..
The regulations for the Turner family’s art exhibition were relatively relaxed, unlike the charity auction that required entry tickets. As long as one dressed decently, the doors would be open.
Charlotte seemed unusually lucky today. In return for her significant gift, Mrs. Hannah invited her for a private talk on the second floor.
Originally, Charlotte only wanted to bring Emily to see Mrs. Hannah, but Mrs. Ada and Aria stuck to her like glue, and she couldn’t shake them off.
Helplessly, Charlotte had to bring them along.
The beautifully arranged room had a large coffee table in the center, surrounded by sets of mahogany sofas, giving off an antique and elegant vibe. A delicate tea set was placed on the table, and Mrs. Hannah was sitting beside it, patiently making tea.
Charlotte brought Emily, Mrs. Ada led Aria, and together they entered the room. Suddenly, with so many people coming in, even the faint aroma of tea dispersed, causing Mrs. Hannah to unconsciously furrow her brow.
“Emily, this is Mrs. Hannah.”
Emily was now on her best behavior, courteous and graceful as she respectfully greeted Mrs. Hannah.
Seeing this, Mrs. Ada pushed Aria forward. “Mrs. Hannah, my granddaughter is ignorant; she offended you at the charity auction. I apologize on her behalf. Please, don’t mind her.”
Aria stood next to her grandmother, her eyes slightly red. Her grandmother had been strong all her life, yet she was speaking so humbly for her in front of others.
Mrs. Hannah lazily raised her eyelids, her elderly yet astute gaze swept over Emily and Aria, her tone indifferent. “Please, take a seat.”
Charlotte and the others finally sat down on the sofa, but they all seemed a bit tense.
“I remember the Harris family having three girls,” Mrs. Hannah took a sip of tea and casually inquired.
It was well known that the purpose of her hosting the art exhibition this time was to find a wife for her eldest grandson. She had a rough understanding of the prominent families and nouveau riches’ daughters in Ithaca town.
Emily broke off the engagement, and she didn’t like the identity of her illegitimate daughter. As for Aria, she’s completely out of consideration. Only Isabella is on her list of candidates.
Isabella is the vice mayor’s daughter and also the granddaughter of the Allen family. It’s likely that the entire wealth left by the Allen family will go to her as the sole heir. Mr. Allen had a high reputation during his lifetime, and Eleanor was an elegant and poised lady. Her daughter raised with such manners would surely not disappoint.
“My elder daughter, Victoria, is busy with a film shoot today and couldn’t make it. Next time when there’s an opportunity, I’ll bring her to give her regards. My younger daughter, Isabella, is downstairs at the art exhibition,” Charlotte respectfully replied.
Of course, Victoria couldn’t attend the art exhibition to avoid giving Caleb any misunderstandings about her intentions. As for Isabella, she certainly wouldn’t give her the chance to reach for high branches.
But now that Mrs. Hannah had brought it up, she couldn’t pretend to be clueless. Tentatively, Charlotte asked, “Would you like to meet her?”
“Right,” Mrs. Hannah nodded.
Charlotte could only call Isabella.
At that moment, Isabella and Olivia were downstairs in the exhibition hall.
Shortly after, her phone rang.
“Charlotte asked me to come over, I wonder what trouble she’s brewing again,” Isabella said to Olivia after hanging up her phone.
Following Charlotte’s instructions, Isabella arrived at the room door and politely knocked.
A strong and aged voice came from inside, “Come in.”
Isabella pushed the door and entered. In the room, Charlotte and four others were present, and opposite them sat a dignified old lady. Isabella recognized Mrs. Hannah at a glance, having seen her before.
After a slight surprise, she politely greeted her.
Mrs. Hannah nodded at her and seemed somewhat satisfied with her behavior. Courteous but not fawning; this was quite rare.
Of course, Mrs. Hannah wouldn’t know what Isabella was thinking. In her eyes, Mrs. Hannah, although distinguished, was someone she had no connection with. She didn’t need to ingratiate herself before someone who couldn’t offer her any benefits or advantages. That would be unnecessary and unproductive.
“Please, take a seat,” Mrs. Hannah gestured to the seat beside her.
Isabella sat down properly. Though she wasn’t overly enthusiastic, her manners and etiquette were decent.
Mrs. Hannah asked her a few simple questions, to which Isabella responded adequately and comfortably. Mrs. Hannah even showed a faint smile, something rare for her.
Seeing this, Charlotte’s face couldn’t help but change a bit. Before Isabella entered the room, she had been zealously promoting Emily, but Mrs. Hannah had been indifferent. However, now she was engaged in a lengthy conversation with Isabella, clearly showing interest in her.
Charlotte felt anxious but had no recourse.
Fortunately, at that moment, there was a knock on the door, and a middle-aged man walked in. He murmured a few words to Mrs. Hannah, whose eyes narrowed, and a hint of anger appeared in her cloudy gaze.
She gestured for the middle-aged man to leave and then smiled at Isabella and the others, “I have some matters to attend to, so I won’t entertain you further.”
Isabella was relieved to leave. Conversing with this distinguished yet exhausting old lady was truly tiring.
After the group left, Mrs. Hannah’s face immediately darkened, and she slapped the tea table hard, “What does he want? Can’t stand seeing Thomas and Henry doing well!”
The middle-aged man stood behind her, cautiously not daring to utter a word.