Before the tea party, Lola had considered what Celestine wanted from her. She had Amala do so digging on Celestine’s current business ventures, revealing a wide range of investnts. Since Celestine was always present in the fashion industry, Lola didn’t suspect it would be this.
So, as a safety net, she even persuaded Atlas to provide so "help," which he gave without question. Who would have thought it would be this easy?
"I’ll see you all at the show?"
The won gasped, almost in disbelief at how effortlessly Lola had secured invitations. Celestine nodded in satisfaction, impressed but not surprised. This was the power of the Bennets, and Lola had just proven her worth.
"Mrs. Bennet, you didn’t have to invite all of us!" one lady said, waving dismissively. "Isn’t that a little too much?"
"If you don’t want to go, that’s fine too. No hard feelings," Lola replied. "But twelve invitations aren’t excessive."
Everyone tried to suppress squeals, stunned at how easily they’d earned a spot at this exclusive fashion show. Heaven knew how much effort they had made before and failed. Their excitent and admiration for Lola grew considerably.
lissa, seated far from Celestine, watched the scene silently. Her mouth opened, but no words ca. She tried interjecting occasionally, but no one noticed.
Are they just ignoring ?
She frowned, glancing toward Lola. From the start, Lola had only greeted her once. It didn’t feel good, especially as everyone else displayed intense interest in her. She was expecting to display her relationship with the said lady, but with this, she was being shoved away to the side.
Her smile vanished as she chugged her tea, trying to calm her growing frustration. But she pulled the cup away too quickly and jumped from her seat.
"It’s hot!" she exclaid, spilling the tea onto her hand. The cup tipped over onto the lady next to her.
"Ah!" the lady jumped back, staring at her white skirt.
"I-I’m so sorry!" lissa reached out apologetically, but her hand was swatted away.
"lissa!" the lady shouted, her voice uncharacteristically loud. "Why would you chug tea knowing it’s hot?"
lissa froze. This lady was normally gentle and soft-spoken, yet she was almost screaming at her face.
"I didn’t... an it," lissa muttered, eyes wide as she scanned the other ladies. "I’m really sorry, Anne."
They all frowned, displeased with her behavior. Even Lola watched silently, her expression unreadable. lissa bit her lip, holding her hand in front of her and lowering her head.
"I didn’t really an it—"
"It doesn’t matter now!" the lady hissed. "Look at my skirt! It’s white, and now it’s stained! Ugh! This is so upsetting!"
lissa kept her head low, hiding her shock. "Sorry."
"Tch."
"Anne," Celestine called calmly, her gentle voice cutting through the tension. Anne froze, reminded that she was at a tea party with Mrs. Bennet. Slowly, she forced a sophisticated smile.
"I’m sorry for losing my temper," she sighed. "It’s just that it’s not just the dress, but the tea touched my skin. It surprised and hurt ."
"lissa didn’t an it," Celestine said calmly. "I understand this is upsetting, but this club is more like a sisterhood. Since lissa didn’t an it, we should respond with compassion not with a scream."
Anne bit her lip, displeased that Celestine sided with lissa. Had lissa just been careless? Wasn’t she taught etiquette? Who chugs tea like that?
Celestine then turned to lissa. "Teas are ant to be savored, sip by sip, enjoying their aroma and calming properties. They are not ant to be chugged."
"I’m really sorry," lissa said, keeping her answer short. She couldn’t admit she’d been flustered enough to forget herself.
"Having Mrs. Bennet as today’s guest makes this even more embarrassing," Celestine added, her tone cold toward the two, then softened as she turned to Lola. "I apologize for this, Mrs. Bennet."
Lola shook her head with a smile. "I understand. It’s an accident." She then looked at lissa and Anne. "I’m sure Miss lissa didn’t an it. I’ve had tea with her a few tis, and never once has she spilled a drop."
"Accidents happen," Lola continued gently, "and while we cannot control them, we can control our reactions."
Her smile stretched as she nodded toward lissa. The younger woman’s eyes softened in appreciation. She was grateful Mrs. Bennet had sided with her.
Deep down, lissa smirked. She glanced at Anne apologetically, though her expression also conveyed her annoyance.
"I’m really sorry," lissa said. "It won’t happen again."
Anne gulped, glancing at lissa. Everyone was siding with her when it was her fault. Anne clenched her fists but forced a smile.
"I apologize as well for how I reacted," she said, swallowing her pride. "I also apologize to everyone."
Anne discreetly lifted her eyes toward Celestine, noting the quiet glare she received. Taking it as a signal to exit, Anne picked up her purse and smiled.
"Anyway, as much as I’d like to stay, I must go," she said ekly, maintaining her dignity. "Mrs. Bennet, it’s been an honor. Next ti, I promise this won’t happen."
Lola nodded, letting her leave. A part of her wanted to lend Anne a replacent outfit, as they seed similar in size, but she let the thought go.
Before Anne disappeared, Lola deliberately turned to lissa, concern in her voice.
"lissa, are you alright?"
"Yes," lissa said softly, hiding her hand, which everyone noticed. "I was just careless."
"You have to be careful next ti," Lola noted. Then, Celestine added, her voice caring, "Mrs. Bennet is right. You cannot afford to get hurt."
Celestine then signaled the maids to bring ointnt for lissa’s hand. anwhile, the other ladies expressed concern as well as if Anne didn’t matter.
Anne paused, watching the scene. She saw Celestine directing care toward lissa, and the other ladies showing concern.
"Hah," she scoffed, glaring at lissa. You’ll regret this.
Anne rolled her eyes, leaving with a vengeful heart. Little did she know, Lola had been watching. She smirked briefly before turning her attention back to lissa.
I’m starting to like politics!
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