The tea party lasted for over an hour. It was full of light conversation, ranging from business and personal lives to fashion choices. But even then, Lola learned quite a few things during this tea party.
One was that all the ladies put Celestine on a pedestal. They listened to her, and her opinion carried weight. Second, despite the light chats and chuckles, politics was still at play. They might appear to get along, but if one looked closely, tensions simred beneath the surface.
Behind the light laughter, seemingly innocent conversations carried a lingering undercurrent of rivalry.
"So, what can you say about the tea parties?" Celestine’s question snapped Lola out of her thoughts.
Lola smiled. "I find it... fascinating."
"Oh?"
"When I first heard of the tea party, I expected a club where everyone got along well," she explained, watching the intrigue gleaming in Celestine’s eyes. "But after today, I realized it’s not as simple as I thought. So, it’s interesting."
A quiet mont fell across the table. The other ladies had already left after the tea party, but at Celestine’s request, Lola stayed for a private tea.
Slowly, a smile crept across Celestine’s face. "We live in a fierce environnt, Mrs. Bennet. Friendship... is not what this tea party is for."
"I figured. Hence, I said it’s interesting," Lola nodded. "Having a group whose foundation isn’t friendship, but the benefits each can give and take."
"Anteca might be neighbors, but in Novera, prejudice against won is still rampant," Celestine said. "Especially in business, it’s mostly n. Even successful won are not spared from the n’s perspective of won."
Lola nodded, understanding Celestine’s sentints deeply. She had seen it firsthand. Even though her grandfather loved his daughter Loren dearly, he still chose to let Lawrence take over alongside her. Not because he didn’t trust Loren, but because he understood the type of people Loren would face as a woman running a company.
She also understood where Celestine was coming from.
Celestine was the best, the smartest of her generation in the Lancaster family. Yet because of her age and gender, she was not given a position in the NL Group. She might hold one of the largest shares, but Celestine was simply a shareholder through her sheer hard work. But she wasn’t even part of the board.
"At one point, I thought of moving to another country like Anteca, where won were respected equally as n," Celestine mused. "However, the heart is where the ho is. So, I founded this tea party. I’m not the first to host a tea party, but I can proudly say I am the first to succeed in maintaining it without it falling apart."
The two won smiled at each other, knowing they were on the sa wavelength. Lola was impressed. She knew Celestine was smart and a natural strategist, but it was the first ti she realized just how aware Celestine was of all these dynamics.
"I think you misunderstood sothing," Lola chuckled lightly. "I am not from Anteca. It’s my husband who was born and raised there."
"Oh?" Celestine arched a brow. "Then you are from..."
"Here. Novera," Lola’s smile widened. "It’s why my husband and I are here. Like you said, the heart is where the ho is. Novera holds many mories for ."
The intrigue in Celestine’s eyes brightened. If the woman across from her was from Novera, she wondered which family she ca from. A few families imdiately ca to mind—known for their simplicity and low-profile lifestyle—yet standing on equal ground with the Lancasters.
But if that is true... then I don’t think this union between their family and the Bennets will stay a secret.
Lola’s smile stretched, her eyes squinting slightly. Since she wasn’t volunteering more information, Celestine decided not to ask. Politics weren’t just at play in the tea party, they were also ongoing now.
Celestine was certain Lola was gauging her, just as Celestine had been doing.
"Anyway, I hope you didn’t mind Anne’s outburst," Celestine said faintly, picking up her cup of tea. "She’s going through a tough ti at the mont. So, she’s a little sensitive."
"It’s alright," Lola said, smiling gently, though her eyes remained sharp. "I do not mind. However, she seed very upset with lissa."
"Do not worry about lissa—"
"I am not at all," Lola interrupted, stifling a laugh and covering her lips with the back of her hand. "lissa Young is a capable woman. I am certain she could protect herself. For her to be here at this tea party, how dare I question your judgnt?"
Celestine nodded approvingly. "Should I be honest with you, Mrs. Bennet?"
"Of course."
"I invited lissa because she’s been telling everyone about the new bridge she built," Celestine said freely, unbothered that this might make her appear to be using lissa. "I invited her to confirm. It turned out to be the truth."
"Word travels fast."
"It does, but it’s faster when the source wants it spread," Celestine quipped. "So far, you are right, Mrs. Bennet. lissa is indeed a capable woman."
With lissa bringing Mrs. Bennet to the tea party, Celestine was satisfied she hadn’t made the wrong call. Not every woman in the Lancaster family earned a spot at her tea parties.
anwhile, Lola smiled, telling herself:
So that’s how lissa got to this tea party, huh? Because of ? Well, that’s interesting.
"Oh well," she shrugged. "I’m still glad that because of her, this bridge is built. Give credit where credit is due."
"You are right."
They exchanged smiles, conversing more casually until it was ti for Lola to leave. Walking her out, Celestine stopped as the bodyguard opened the door for Lola.
"Take care on your way, Mrs. Bennet," Celestine said. "I hope you can make it to the next tea party."
"I will try." Lola paused and glanced back at Celestine before walking closer to her. Stopping in front of Celestine, her smile stretched. "Today was fun. I had fun."
"The feeling is mutual, Mrs. Bennet."
Lola humd, pressing her lips together, then snapped her eyes to et Celestine’s. "After eting you today, calling Mrs. Bennet feels too distant."
Celestine’s eyes lit up. "What should I call you then? You may call Celestine."
"Alright, Celestine," Lola nodded, the corners of her eyes curling. "Then you can also call by my first na."
Celestine waited in anticipation, only to see a glint flicker across Lola’s eyes as Lola said slowly, "Call Lola."
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