Ella smiled lightly, her gaze holding a touch of icy sarcasm. "Why wouldn’t you be allowed? This is Ms. Fox’s birthday party. As long as you’re her guest, you’re welco to have so cake. Have you forgotten so much in those three years of being unwell?"
Hannah shrank back, her expression shifting to one of near-tears. "Sister..."
Ella pressed her lips together. "Hannah, after all those years away, you should visit Auntie soon."
Hannah paused, startled. "You an my mother?"
"Yes."
"I’ll go see her tomorrow," Hannah replied softly, a fleeting glint of resentnt passing through her eyes before disappearing.
Ella said nothing more, and Logan scoffed, looking as though he’d lash out if not for Eric’s approach.
Hannah’s bodyguards and maids trailed her protectively, as if they feared Ella might harm her.
"What’s going on? We’ll have cake soon. Are you hungry already?" Eric asked with a lighthearted smile as he joined them.
Ella shook her head. "Not at all, but that cake is so beautifully made. Let’s take a photo."
As Ella moved toward the cake, Hannah followed, but she stepped right onto the back of Ella’s shoe.
Reacting as if she’d stepped on a snake, Hannah yelped and stumbled in her high heels, nearly falling, only to be caught by Logan in ti.
Ella’s heel throbbed, but she looked back calmly. "Hannah, why so clumsy? What were you thinking about to be so distracted?"
At her question, Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. "Sister, it was an accident. Please don’t be mad at !"
Ella felt a twinge of irritation at Hannah’s theatrics. "It’s fine. Just be more careful next ti."
Trying to provoke her into losing her composure? Not a chance.
Hannah nodded, visibly disheartened.
Eric’s gaze turned cold as he looked directly at Hannah, who felt the chill and quickly lowered her head.
"Mr. Nelson, are you planning to stand up for Mrs. Nelson?" Logan asked with a sarcastic smile.
"Stand up? Stand up for what? Does Mr. Scott think that Ms. Hannah stepped on my wife’s heel on purpose?" Eric’s response was sharp, drawing the attention of those nearby.
Hannah kept her head down, a look of innocent distress on her face. "That’s not what I ant!"
Logan huffed, and Ella shot him a look. "Let’s go. I’d like to get that photo."
Eric wrapped his arm around Ella’s waist, leading her away, their closeness drawing envious looks from the onlookers.
Tiffany glanced at Ella, her gaze cool, though a slight smile lingered on her face.
The towering eighteen-layer cake was a popular photo spot, with celebrities and guests taking selfies and sharing them on social dia.
Ella took a photo herself, intentionally capturing Tiffany in the fra.
The rest of the evening went smoothly, with no further antics from Hannah. She seed to understand that even an "innocent rabbit" act could wear thin, coming off as insincere if overplayed.
After Tiffany’s birthday party wrapped up, Ella and Eric chatted in the car. The driver steered smoothly as they made their way ho.
"So, what do you think? Eighteen layers of cake—isn’t that impressive? Feel a bit jealous?" Eric teased, gently cupping her cheek.
"What’s there to be jealous of? I doubt the taste was any different!" Ella raised an eyebrow. "Let think about a few things in peace. I’ll go over them with you in a bit."
Eric chuckled. "Seems like you’re becoming more insightful by the day."
Ella pressed her lips together, quietly accepting his complint.
Once ho, Ella lazily draped herself across the sofa in their bedroom.
Like a prowling beast, Eric moved in, capturing her mouth in a kiss. "Spill it. What were you just thinking about? If I didn’t know you better, I’d think I was dealing with a philosophy master here."
Ella pushed his face away. "Tell , who sent Hannah the invitation?"
Eric rolled over beside her, freeing her from his weight, and whispered near her ear, "The invitations were sent out by our team. The company provided a list of stars, but Tiffany herself was given a stack of additional invites to extend to anyone we may have missed or private friends she wanted to bring."
Ella’s eyes lit up. "You’re saying Tiffany invited Hannah?"
"It’s possible. But we can’t rule out that soone else might have given Hannah the invitation."
Ella frowned, thinking hard. She’d had no previous conflict with Tiffany, though Tiffany’s look of subtle disdain and pride might simply be her nature.
"Are you suspicious of Tiffany?"
Eric’s expression turned serious.
Ella nodded. "If it was her, I just don’t understand why she’d align herself with Hannah. What could she possibly gain?"
Eric chuckled, giving her ear a playful bite. "Ella, you’re starting to sound like a detective."
Ella snorted. "I’m just cautious, that’s all."
"Relax. It’s unlikely to be Tiffany. I’d already looked into her background with Hannah before agreeing to sign her. They don’t know each other."
Ella was surprised; she hadn’t expected Eric to be so thorough.
"Tiffany’s the type who built her career on her own rits," Eric continued, gently brushing a hand through her hair. "She has no interest in attaching herself to powerful connections, which is how she managed to thrive on pure talent in Country W. In Country S, where there’s no shortage of under-the-table deals, soone with her integrity would struggle. Of course, there are exceptions—take Amanda, for instance. She managed to skyrocket without either of us having to play the ’casting couch’ ga."
He chuckled, his hand still brushing her hair.
Ella nodded, rembering the articles she’d read about Tiffany, a woman who earned admiration for her genuine talent and beauty.
So Tiffany’s massive fanbase in Country S was deserved, driven by both her looks and skills. It seed unlikely she was the kind to play shady gas. But then, who had sent the invitation to Hannah?
"Stop worrying," Eric whispered, his voice a blend of charm and mischief. "Let’s go take a bath, and afterward, I’ll let you in on a little ga."
Ella’s heart quickened, but before she could reply, Eric swept her up in his arms.
"What kind of ga?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"You’ll find out soon enough."
"Give a hint!" Ella wrinkled her nose.
Eric laughed wickedly, a devilish smile spreading across his face. "A ga of devil and the maid."
Reviews
All reviews (0)