Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Vincent didn’t expect Matthew to explain like that. He looked toward the front of the banquet hall, where Selena Jimenez accompanied Annabelle while the latter was receiving the gifts.

Selena’s eyes were captivating. Even though she was over 50, she looked like a woman in her 30s. The process of aging didn’t leave any trace on her face. Her eyes were indeed similar to Stephanie’s.

Matthew probed, “Mrs. Fletcher if you don’t mind me asking when’s your birthday?”

“September 22, Stephanie replied,

Matthew nodded slightly. “My sister’s birthday is on October 2, which makes it 20 days apart.”

“What’s 20 days apart?” Smiling. Madeline walked quickly toward them. “Mr. Fletcher, Stephie, you’re here.”

Vincent nodded slightly while Stephanie smiled at her. “Hi, Madeline.”

Matthew chuckled. “I said that Mrs. Fletcher and your birthday are 20 days apart.”

Madeline was stunned before smiling regretfully.

“Have you known each other for a long time?” probed Matthew

“We hit it off, although I wished we had met earlier.” Madeline continued, “Do you know what’s Grandma’s favorite gift today?”

Matthew asked. “Is it the last two paintings from Claude Monet’s “The Water Lilies” series!

Madeline nodded. “Those are Stephie’s gifts. Matthew, you just returned to the country, so I don’t think you know what happened at last night’s auction.”

After listening to Madeline’s brief explanation, Matthew respected Stephanie even more.

“Mrs. Fletcher, thank you so much for the gifts. Grandma has been looking for these two paintings for ages,” said Matthew.

Stephanie smiled faintly. “I’m glad Mrs. Jimenez likes them. With these two paintings, she’ll have the complete set. I hope all her wishes will also come

true.”

Holding Stephanie’s arm, Madeline remarked, “Right now, my grandma hopes to find her granddaughter. I hope her wish will come true soon.”

Then, she looked at Vincent and added, “Mr. Fletcher, Thave to borrow your wife for a second. Grandma wants to thank her.”

Vincent nodded in response.

Matthew picked up two glasses of red wine from the attendant’s tray and handed one to Vincent. “Mr. Fletcher.”

Vin at accepted the glass with gratitude.

Smiling, Matthew asked, “Are you interested in Triveria’s project? The Jimenez family has just returned from abroad. We want to find a reliable business

Vincent glanced at him in surprise. After all, the development of this lithium battery was promising, and it was a profitable industry.

Matthew asked this because he wanted to cooperate with Vincent.

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Chapter 104

The reason for this cooperation was not only because of Fletcher Group’s power but also because of the paintings given by Stephanie.

Vincent had no reason to refuse such a golden opportunity for cooperation. He clinked glasses with Matthew. “Triveria has a bright future. I’m very interested in the project. I look forward to our cooperation.”

The clinking of glasses indicated the successful cooperation between Fletcher Group and Jimenez Group.

walked

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Madeline clung to Stephanie’s arm and walked ahead. “I was there at the product launch last time. You did a fantastic job. You’re worthy of being the chief designci and the boss of Starlight Design Studio.”

Madeline, thanks for the compliment,” said Stephanie.

Madeline suggested, “Our film crew is still searching for a design studio to cooperate with. I wonder if you’re interested and have the time to participate in the production?”

Stephanie and Julianna had always focused on brand expansion and had never worked with a film crew. Therefore, this was quite a decent suggestion.

Stephanie asked, “What’s the theme?”

“The theme is the Victorian era. We’ve already found a design studio for the men’s clothing, but we’re still discussing the women’s clothing. It’ll mainly be dresses,” explained Madeline,

After thinking for a while, Stephanie asked, “Style Jazz Couture has never tried Victorian-style clothing before. When will the shooting start?”

“It’ll start in mid-August. There’s still half a month left. Some design studios have already submitted their rough sketches. However, the director and producer aren’t satisfied,” Madeline said.

After pondering, Stephanie answered, “Can you give me a week? I’ll design 20 dresses first.”

Madeline’s eyes lit up. “I’ll call the director now.” With that, the two stopped in their tracks as Madeline called Gideon Lynch in front of Stephanie.

Alter explaining the situation, Madeline listened to the director’s reply with a smile.

Hanging up the phone, Madeline looked at Stephanie. “Mr. Lynch said it’s worth waiting for a month if we can hire you.”

Stephanie smiled. “I’ll start with the rough sketch when I get home tonight.”

Madeline shook her hand. I look forward to our cooperation.”

Stephanie smiled. “Thanks for having faith in me, Madeline.”

“It’s nothing!” Madeline replied.

The two amicably chatted before arriving in front of Kenneth Jimenez and Annabelle.

Madeline introduced, “Grandpa, Grandma, Mom and Dad, this is Stephanie Hayes. The last two paintings of ‘The Water Lilies” are from her.”

Asabelle stood up quickly and stepped forward to hold Stephanie’s hand. “Thank you, child. I like these birthday gifts very much.”

After glancing around, Annabelle whispered, “This is my favorite birthday gift I’ve ever received.”

Stephanie acknowledged the compliment. Annabelle looked at her from head to toe. “You resemble my daughter-in-law, Selena. How old are you? When’s your birthday?”

Hearing this, Stephanie was nonplussed.

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Chapter 1041

Madeline interjected helplessly, “Grandma, are you conducting a background check? Stephie has a twin sister.”

Annabelle understood Madeline’s words. It meant that Stephanie wasn’t her long lost granddaughter.

She pursed her lips. “Can’t I have a foster granddaughter?”

“You’ll have to ask Mr. Fletcher’s opinion. After all, Stephie is his wife,” explained Madeline.

Annabelle nodded with a smile. “I’ll ask Mr. Fletcher myself then.”

Impressed by Stephanie’s knowledge, Kenneth continued to discuss antique appraisal with her.

Sebastian Jimenez and Selena, who stood at the side, kept staring at Stephanie.

Sebastian whispered, “That child’s eyes are similar to yours.”

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Selena also nodded. “What a shame she’s the daughter of the Hayes family. If I didn’t know, I would’ve asked for a DNA test. I’ve heard a lot of things about their family from other noblewomen. This child is pitiful.”

“Why don’t you ask her to be our g o d d a u g h t e r?” Sebastian chuckled.

Selena shook her head. “Forget about it. Otherwise, Meg will feel bad. Ever since she discovered that she wasn’t the daughter of the Jimenez family, she has become less sociable. I just want to find my biological daughter. After all, she’s my own flesh and blood. I hope she’s doing well.”

arm around her shoulders. “We’ll find her.”

Sebastian wrapped

ed his ar

“Where’s Meg?” Selena asked.

“She was here just now. She probably left to have a good time with her friends,” replied Sebastian

Meanwhile, in a dim corner of the hotel’s back garden, Florence crossed her arms while staring at Magan in front of her. “You’re so lucky! I can’t believe you were switched with that **h Stephanie back then! I wouldn’t have ended up like this if I were the one who got switched.”

Megan replied coldly. “You only have yourself to blame for your s tu p i d i y and incompetence.”

Gritting her teeth, Florence warned lowly, “You’re my sister. How could you say something like that? Don’t forget your origin, Megan!”

Megan sneered. “You’re utterly hopeless and incompetent. Know your place because we’ll never be equals! Even if you managed to come here today, who can you seduce? Your nude photos are everywhere. People present today are respected. Do you think they have horrible taste like Mr. Hennesey? Just so you know, I’m the Hayes family’s lifeline. If you cause trouble, the family will never be able to recover. Perhaps you still can seduce an old man now, but no one will want you when you’re old. So, just be an obedient dog and wait for me to feed you, okay?”

“Why, you!” Florence exclaimed,

“Stop interfering with my life, or else I’ll make you disappear without a trace.” With that, Megan turned around and prepared to leave.

Flee looked at Megan in disbelief. She couldn’t believe the seemingly weak girl in front of her could utter such vicious words.

Megan fumed, “If the Jimenez family acknowledges Stephanie as their daughter, you’ll be nothing!”

Megan paused and looked sideways at her. “Don’t)

‘t you need a heart transplant? You and Stephanie happen to be a match.”

Florence realized that Megan already had plans to ensure that Stephanie wouldn’t return to the Jimenez family alive.

Megan warned, “This was the first and last time you threatened me. I let you in today because i want to make things clear with you, not because I’m

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Chapter 104

scared of you. Florence, don’t ever play tricks on me.”

Seeing Megan’s disappearing figure, Florence stomped her feet in anger,

“If I’d known this earlier, I wouldn’t have quarreled with Mr. Hennesey. Now that I’ve offended him, I’ve lost my only source of money, she mused.

Florence stormed off the hotel.

After a while, a delicate figure ran over.

Christina found Butler, the robot dog, in the grass. “Oh, I dropped it here. Why is the recording mode on?”

Turning off the switch, Christina walked toward the corner. She was startled by a figure that had suddenly appeared.

The robot dog in her hand fell to the ground and accidentally turned on the recording function again.

Megan supported her. “Are you okay?”

“Ten fine.” Christina picked up the robot dog. “How come the recording is on again? It needs to be fixed.”

Megan frowned at the word “again.”

“Young lady, why are you here?” she asked.

Christina replied, “There’s something wrong with my robot dog, Butler. The remote control doesn’t work on it. I didn’t expect to find it in the back garden.”

Megan smiled. “Where did you find it?”

Christina pointed at somewhere. “Over there.”

“You just said that the recording has been turned on again. Was it turned on before? Megan inquired.

Christina nodded. “Yes, the recording was always on. There’s something wrong with this little thing.”

Pursing her lips, Megan wondered, “Did it record my conversation with Florence earlier? It seems that this girl hasn’t heard the recording!

Megan suggested, “My brother, Malcolm, is very good at technological research. I’ll ask him to fix it for you.”

Christina asked, “Malcolm?”

Megan put her arm around Christina’s shoulder as they walked toward the banquet hall. “Yes, I’m Megan Jimenez. My brother is Malcolm Jimenez.”

“Malcolm Jimenez is your brother? Are you really Megan?” Christina blinked.

Megan nodded.

Christina’s eyes t w i n l e d in expectation. “Can he fix it for me?”

“Of course,” replied Megan. “Give me the robot dog, I’ll ask him to fix it immediately.”

Placing the robot dog on Megan’s palm, Christina uttered, “Thank you.”

ww

Megan nodded in reply, and the two parted ways at the entrance of the banquet hall.

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