Earlier, Lola had taken the twins to Chairman Lancaster’s residence, where they played and brought sunshine to the old ho. When they left, she dropped the children off at Summit Partners, as she had another agenda for the day.
"Sure, I will go," Lola smiled beautifully at the mother-and-daughter duo. "Since my husband and I still have many things to settle in Novera, I might co."
Excitent imdiately brightened Jasmine’s and lissa’s faces, and they clasped their hands together.
"Mrs. Bennet, I’ll send you the invitation as soon as I can!" lissa exclaid. "Let know where I can send it."
Jasmine nodded modestly. "We’ll save you a special spot."
"If Mr. Bennet is also here, we’ll prepare another seat for him too," lissa added. "The engagent took quite a long ti to prepare. We wanted it to be special..."
lissa then resud talking about her upcoming engagent. The mother and daughter had been chirping nonstop since the tea began, and even now, after getting what they wanted, they didn’t stop.
Lola sipped her tea, watching them over the rim of her cup. A glint flickered across her eyes as the corners of her mouth curved up.
"It’ll be morable for sure," she mused as she set the cup down. "...right?"
Jasmine and lissa paused, raising their brows as a faintly off feeling tickled them from Lola’s aura. They ignored it, nodding and smiling from ear to ear.
"By the way, Mrs. Bennet, do you have ti for so proper tea parties?"
Lola arched a brow, tilting her head. "We’re already having tea, aren’t we?"
"Not like that," lissa giggled lightly while Jasmine waved gently.
"She ans the tea parties hosted by ladies in Novera’s upper-class circle," Jasmine explained. "They’re always hosted by Celestine Lancaster. She owns one of the largest shares in the NL Group, and her connections in Novera’s elite circle are vast. She’s also known for her successful investnts and business partnerships. It could be beneficial for you both to et her."
"Oh." Lola nodded, rocking her head. Of course, she knew Celestine.
She didn’t have many mories of the woman but rembered her as the Lancaster’s princess. Anyone born and raised on Novera’s business stage would know her and her infamous tea parties.
But I didn’t think lissa would manage to get in. Considering Celestine built these parties to be desired by most won in the upper circle, she personally filters who can attend.
"Well..." Lola humd, pondering. "Sure. I’ve heard of these tea parties, and I’m curious about what they truly are."
lissa’s smile stretched into a wide grin, as if she had just won the lottery. Lola, on the other hand, forced a smile. She had no intention of associating with the Lancasters further, but it wasn’t a bad idea to expand her network in Novera.
*****
lissa happily bit her lip as she sat beside her mother in the backseat.
"So, what did Celestine tell you?" Jasmine asked curiously. "She must be thrilled that you managed to invite Mrs. Bennet."
"Yes. She said she’ll arrange the tea party soon," lissa chuckled, recalling Celestine’s tone. "She’s been trying to get Mrs. Bennet’s contact, but couldn’t."
Jasmine smiled in satisfaction, taking lissa’s hand. "lissa, dear, I’m so proud of you. If you gain Celestine’s trust, things will be easier for you and Derek. You’re doing a good job."
lissa blushed, nodding.
"She even invited to join her for her shopping ti," lissa added. Celestine only shopped with her closest friends, those she truly trusted. Now, she was inviting lissa. "I told her I’d go."
"Good." Jasmine nodded. "You’re making proud. Surely, you are my daughter."
She rubbed lissa’s back, the joy in her heart impossible to fully express. After all, Jasmine had long understood that connections were everything. Those who had belittled her in the past were left behind because of Jasmine’s connections.
In the end, Jasmine had the last laugh.
If lissa continued like this, it would only be a matter of ti before she secured all of Celestine’s connections. Soon enough, it would be lissa’s tea party that everyone would attend.
Jasmine’s smile stretched at the thought as she refocused on her daughter. "lissa, rember: everything I teach you is so you won’t have to go through what I went through."
"I know, Mom," lissa pouted slightly. "I know people used to look down on you because you’re Dad’s second wife. That’s why I’m working hard, so no one can look down on us anymore."
Jasmine’s eyes softened. She held lissa’s hand firmly, knowing her daughter was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Everything she had done for herself and for lissa had been worth it.
*****
anwhile, Lola sat in the backseat, her gaze on the window. Her thoughts drifted to Celestine Lancaster and lissa.
"Celestine Lancaster," she whispered, thinking of the young woman back then.
Celestine was older. Lola had been young when Celestine graduated from college with flying colors, leaving a significant age gap.
It’s not that I dislike her. If anything, I have no particular feelings.
How could she, when they had spoken only a few tis and those conversations weren’t morable? Besides, Celestine was already building her life while Lola was just a child.
As Lola considered how to exploit this tea party, her phone vibrated. She checked the caller ID and didn’t hesitate to answer.
"Amala," she greeted. "What’s up?"
The mont she heard Amala’s tone, "Lola", she knew sothing was wrong.
"What is it?" Lola arched a brow. "Bad news?"
"Not bad... at least, not for you. Sort of." Amala let out a shallow breath. "I just heard that Lawrence Young has been taking out huge loans, and recently, he borrowed from a loan shark."
"I’m saying this because you know about that business," she added. "If Lawrence can’t pay, they’ll co after the family. They might co for you, knowing how your father blas you for everything. Should I deal with them now?"
Lola pondered. On paper, she was still Lawrence’s daughter, even if he never acted like a father. If he buried himself in debt, the loan sharks would target the family.
"No," she answered after a mont. "Let him bury himself in debt."
"What about you?"
A corner of Lola’s mouth curved up. "I have a plan."
*****
[Summit Partners]
Lola stood in front of Atlas’s desk while he tidied up. Before he could finish, she suddenly said,
"Let’s get married."
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