Chapter 20
As Aileen looked at the cute, honey–lipped Rhea, she started to wonder, ‘At first, I looked down upon the Harper family. I thought Matthew could do so much better.
But tonight, I’m impressed. They chose such a luxurious seven–star hotel to throw a birthday party for Mabel, the unloved adopted daughter, and from the looks of it, the party costs at least millions of dollars. Looks like the Harper family isn’t as shabby as I thought.
Rhea is the family’s only daughter. If she and Matthew becoine an item, the Harper family will surely be of help to our family.
“Besides, the fawning look on Beatrice’s face is so obvious. I can tell she wants to set Rhea up with Matthew, too.
I guess the feeling is mutual. After all, Matthew hasn’t taken his eyes off Rhea since she showed up. The two getting married is what everyone wants.
Rhea is the legitimate daughter of the Harper family, whereas Mabel is just the adopted one. Of course, having the former as my daughter–in–law is the better choice.
With such thought, Aileen gave Beatrice a look, and the two immediately reached a tacit understanding.
Regardless of the occasion, Aileen grabbed the hands of Rhea and Matthew and put them together, saying, “Matthew, I heard that Rhea just returned to Linburn City not long ago, and I’m sure there are a lot of things she needs to get familiar with. You’re older than her, so do take care of her. Hang out more often, OK? It won’t hurt.”
Rhea was secretly overjoyed, but she pretended to be shy and was about to pull back her hand. “Mrs. Preston, please… I’m flattered, but Mabel is Matthew’s fiancée, and it’s her birthday today. If she sees me and Matthew together when she shows up, she’ll be upset. I know she hates it when he comes anywhere close to any other woman.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Aileen pulled a long face at the mention of Mabel. “They haven’t even had an engagement party yet. I hardly think she’s his fiancée. Besides, I’m his mom, and I haven’t acknowledged her as my future daughter–in–law yet, She’s got some nerve telling him what to and not to do!”
Looking aggrieved, Rhea continued to smear Mabel, saying, “Mrs. Preston, you have no idea. Matthew came by the other day, and she got so cranky when she saw Matthew and I talk. After he left, she scolded me harshly and wouldn’t let me come near him again! I… Matthew is like my brother. I swear that I’ve never had any improper thoughts.”
After that, she glanced at Matthew shyly.
Aileen had always been a smart woman. Noticing Rhea’s gaze, she realized at once Rhea was lying and figured that Rhea and Matthew had feelings for each other, whereas Mabel, who didn’t know her place, was the obstacle blocking their way.
She firmly placed Rhea’s hand on Matthew’s. “Rest assured, Rhea I’ve got your back. No one dares to judge you.”
Standing aside, Beatrice was beaming when seeing Rhea had a knack for winning over Aileen in no time. She chimed in. pushing Rhea toward Matthew, “Rhea, you heard Mrs. Preston. Feel free to do whatever you want. There’s no need to fear Mabel at all. She’s so ungrateful and willful. Everyone knows how important tonight is, yeahe’s nowhere to be seen though almost all the guests have arrived. Who knows where she is? She doesn’t take us seriously and has no manners at all. What a disgrace!”
Both Beatrice and Aileen were in favor of Rhea and Matthew being an item. Hearing their words, Rhea shyly took Matthew’s arm and leaned into his embrace naturally and triumphantly as if she were already his official girlfriend.
And of course, Matthew wouldn’t push her away. He held her, enjoying the envious looks of the others.
Their intimate posture caught the guests‘ attention
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Chapter 20
The socialites present couldn’t help but whisper while looking at them.
“Isn’t that Matthew? Who’s that woman in his arms?”
street.
“I’m curious, too. He’s about to be engaged to Mabel, right? That’s the word on the stre
“Keep up, OK! The woman is the Harper family’s real daughter. They just brought her back. I weep for Mabel.”
“Are you kidding me? Then why did they throw such a grand birthday party for her?”
“The last bit of mercy, perhaps. See how Mrs. Harper dotes on her real daughter? Mabel is just their adopted girl. No one knows anything about her original family. Who knows? Mabel might get kicked out sometime in the future.”
“Mabel has never wo
anything that cost more than thousands of dollars. No one in the upper class is as shabby as her. And check out the dress Rhea’s wearing. It’s a new limited edition, right? If I remember correctly, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars! Seems pretty clear to me who’s the unloved one.”
“Serve Mabel right. What isn’t meant for her won’t be hers anyway. She’s all high and mighty. Who is she trying to impress?”
“I weep for her. She thought she’d have a smooth life after she clung to the Harper family? What a stupid mistake. Now she has even lost her fiance to her sister. How sadl
Their tones were filled with either resentment or gloat.
Not wanting to involve Mabel in the Barrett family’s property dispute, Calvin Barrett, Mabel’s real father, demanded that Dale and Beatrice not reveal her true identity to anyone except herself until she was of age. So, Dale and Beatrice claimed that after Rhea, their own daughter, was lost, they adopted the orphan Mabel to make up for the regret,
Everyone assumed that Mabel was an abandoned baby that the couple had taken from an institution or something. The group of socialites presumed that their identity was more honorable than Mabel’s and looked down on her unknown identity, so they had always had a feud with her. In their eyes, she didn’t belong to their world at all, and they kept trying to push her out.
Now that Rhea had come back, they assumed Mabel would soon be kicked out and go back to where she belonged. They didn’t hesitate to twist the knife, waiting to enjoy her misfortune.
Of course, Rhea heard their whispers. Gloating, she thought, Mabel has no one to blame but herself. She’s ambitious enough to try to steal my life and stupid enough to mess up the most basic relationships, and now she ends up being nidiculed.
“So what if tonight’s about her? It doesn’t stop me from being in the spotlight
After whispering to Matthew, hinting flirtatiously that she would see him again that evening, she went over to those socialites and began to discredit Mabel.
She always had a knack for fanning the flame. Soon, everyone was led to believe Mabel was a jealous, mean woman who always picked on Rhea, her younger sister.
“Gee, Rhea! This is outrageous! How could she do this to you! I feel so bad for you.”
“I heard the whole story from my parents. Mr. and Mrs. Harper wouldn’t have adopted her if you hadn’t gotten lost back then. How could she have the nerve to do this to you after all these years of stealing your identity?”
Rhea looked both helpless and aggrieved. “Maybe she’s just having a hard time accepting the fact… If Mom and Dad hadn’t found me back, she would have still been their only daughter. I get it that I’m an eyesore for her…”
“You
poor thing, Rhea. You’re so kind and tolerant. If it were me would have slapped that angelic bitch!”
*Rhea, you know what? I think compared to her, you’re a much better match for Mr. Preston.”
/年
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Chapter 20
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I think so, too! I vote for you and him! When it comes to marriage, for people like us, equal status matters the most. The Preston family is one of the tops. Of course, Mr. Preston’s parents won’t have her as their daughter–in–law. For all we know, her parents might probably be some beggars on the street!”
“I think Mr. Preston is interested in you. Go get him, Rhea! It’ll be such a slap in Mabel’s face!”
“When you and Mr. Preston hold a wedding, do invite us!”
“Chill, Rhea. We got your back. Wait and see. When that bitch arrives, I’ll kick her ass for you!”
“Go for it! Better off, scratch her face!”
Hearing them constantly flatter her and criticize Mabel, Rhea was over the moon as her vanity had been greatly satisfied. Yet she still looked sad and reluctant, persuading them in an affected tone, advising them not to be so worked up.
“Oh w
Who wants to scratch my face?” Suddenly, a cold female voice rang out from behind them.
SEND GIFT
