The next day, the Ford Group arranged a celebratory banquet where all the important people in the city were invited.
Briena was the star of the night, as she was finally soone of important status, and every rich and well-known person wanted to et her.
"You are looking beautiful, Briena," Clara said as she observed her daughter in a beautiful red, floor-length evening gown, in which she truly looked like a star.
"Thank you, Mom," Briena replied. "Umm... we have invited the Harpers. Will he show up?"
"Justin Harper never shows up anywhere, but we can always hope," Clara answered. "You are one of the most desired socialites in the city now. Who knows, he might change his mind for your sake."
"I hope so," Briena said, fixing her dress one last ti. "I hope Natalie shows up and sees moving ahead despite her plans to ruin my life."
"She will show up since she is one of the shareholders of the company. If not, everyone will just think she is jealous of you," Clara declared. "Alright, ti to make your entrance. All the guests have already arrived."
Briena humd and walked out with her mother.
The party hall was filled with many invited guests as Briena proudly walked down the marble staircase, which was decorated with beautiful flowers and draped decorative cloths attached to its railings.
The emcee announced her arrival, and the hall echoed with a huge round of applause.
In one corner, Mia was still frowning at Natalie. "You dragged here just to see this bitch’s ugly face plastered with layers of makeup."
"Don’t be rude, Mia. She is, in fact, beautiful. We shouldn’t ignore that fact, even if they are our enemies," Natalie countered, enjoying a sip of fine wine.
Mia scoffed, "My ass can tell you the facts, and it says she remains ugly despite whatever she tries."
"Your ass is indeed talkative," Natalie chuckled playfully.
"It can curse you as well if you don’t get out of here soon," Mia said angrily.
"Alright, but before that, let congratulate my sister at least," Natalie said, a wicked glint in her eyes.
The party continued as Sephina introduced Briena to the important figures she would have to deal with as the CEO of the Ford Group.
Ivan was there as well, along with his family, and he congratulated her.
"Ivan, you should be by Briena’s side while she ets everyone. Why does it feel like she is intentionally not letting you be with her?" Alia asked.
Ivan didn’t mind it anyway. "It’s her day, so let her do what she wants." These days, he had been grappling with thoughts about Natalie, and it didn’t matter to him what Briena did. All he knew was that they would just end up marrying since they were engaged.
Across the hall, his gaze remained on Natalie, who was another attraction of the party, and many people wanted to talk to the princess. She talked to most of them, but then John and Ryan kept others at bay, silently signaling them not to disturb her.
To him, even in her usual formal clothes, she looked prettier than Briena. Even though she was a princess, she didn’t bother to put more effort into wearing a stylish gown or jewelry.
Once Briena was done eting everyone, she asked, "Mom, Justin Harper didn’t co?"
Clara, who heard it, replied, "Not just him, but they didn’t even send any representative from the Harper Group or a single congratulatory bouquet. I wonder where their manners are?"
Briena was surprised to hear that. Even if an invited business group couldn’t make it, they would at least send a representative or a bouquet.
"I know. It must be Natalie’s doing. She beca close to Jas Harper after attending the charity banquet with him," Briena comnted. "Now that she is a princess, they must listen to her."
"It’s only that old man, Jas Harper. I heard he has no control over his son. So don’t lose hope," Clara assured. "Now that you will be attending important business etings, there’s no way you won’t et Justin Harper."
"You are right, Mom," Briena said. "I am sure he won’t look at a married and scandalous woman like Natalie, who seduced his father. Let go and show her the place she belongs."
Clara didn’t stop her but indeed accompanied her.
"Natalie, I thought you wouldn’t show up here, just like you didn’t dare to show up at the board eting," Briena comnted.
"I just didn’t want to be part of the decision that would soon destroy the Ford Group," Natalie said as she swirled the wine glass in her hand. "But don’t worry, I will surely attend the eting when you get kicked out of your position."
"Can I join you as well, Nat?" Mia asked. "I promise I’ll bring popcorn and beer for us to enjoy the show."
"Caral ones for ," Natalie added.
"Done."
Seeing the two friends, the mother and daughter clenched their fists.
"Are you cursing my daughter on her first day of success?" Clara asked, keeping her voice in check.
"Why would I do that?" Natalie scoffed. "She’s already cursed by having a mother like you — who failed to teach her the right things."
"You—"
"Mom, calm down. There are guests," Briena stopped her.
Clara swallowed all her words and glared at Natalie.
Briena turned to Natalie, calm and composed. "I know you must be jealous to see here today. I’m the CEO of the entire Ford Group, while you are the CEO of one barely successful company. If not for your current status as the wife of a rich man and princess of so other country, you’d be nobody in front of ."
"Talk about talking big and being delusional," Mia scoffed.
"This is not an accomplishnt — you got sothing from Sephina Ford just because I laid down my claim. There is nothing you achieved on your own, not even a rich husband like mine. Such a pity," Natalie retorted haughtily.
"You know how to seduce rich n?" Briena countered.
"Don’t you know as well?" Mia asked. "Didn’t you seduce Ivan again and again when he was Natalie’s fiancé? Do you think the idea of hooking up with you right at the altar of his own wedding just popped up in his mind all of a sudden? He knew you liked him."
"Natalie betrayed him and—"
"Ohh, that was the best thing you ever did in your life, Nat," Mia said to Natalie.
Briena, frustrated, said, "You say I have no accomplishnts of my own?" She smirked. "Seems like you are forgetting I’m a famous piano player, and my movie will be launched soon — so I’ll be a superstar."
"That piano thing you snatched away from Natalie," Mia said angrily. "If not for you—"
Natalie placed a hand on Mia’s shoulder to stop her and then turned to Briena. "Movie, you say?"
"Yes. Don’t act ignorant toward my success," Briena comnted.
"Ignorant? In fact, I’m curious about its status," Natalie said, dialing a number on her cellphone. She put it on low speaker volu for Briena to hear.
"Ms. Natalie, any instructions for ?" ca the familiar voice Briena recognized.
It was Dwen, the man with whom she had signed the movie contract — the one who handled everything. Fear gripped Briena’s heart.
"I was wondering about the movie Briena Ford starred in," Natalie replied.
"We are just waiting for your approval to release it. Everything is ready," Dwen replied.
Natalie looked at Briena as she responded to Dwen, "Well, I don’t think there’s a need to release it. In fact, I’m not in the mood to see that movie released."
"As you say, Ms. Natalie," Dwen answered.
Natalie hung up the call and smirked. "I see your dream of being a superstar going down the drain."
"You... You can’t do this to ," Briena mumbled. "You’re using your husband."
"Why wouldn’t I?" Natalie said. "That aside, I truly think it won’t be good for you if that movie gets released. For the last ti, I’m willing to advise you to give up on it — for the sake of what we once were, as I once called you my little sister."
"Little sister? You are nothing but my enemy who only tries to ruin ," Briena spat out. "If you think you can stop that movie, I won’t let that happen."
"Not my fault when you regret it," Natalie said as she put her wine glass aside and looked at Mia. "We’re done here. Let’s go."
They both left, while Briena angrily stomped her foot. "Mom, I can’t let her snatch away my movie!"
"Don’t panic," Clara said, "don’t let her have satisfaction of seeing you weak."
"But, Mom, we have to. I can’t let that bitch control my life. It was always my dream to be movie superstar," Briena said anxiously.
"Don’t worry, I have an idea," Clara assured. "They will be forced to release that movie."
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