The happiness and glow on Gabrielleâs face was real and beautiful. It had to be as it came from all the love filled in her heart.
It was indeed true that only when one was truly happy, one would carry a smile so bright that it can light up a room.
Lolita was glad to see Gabrielle so happy and excited. She knew that her friendâs happiness was true and that made her feel at peace.
âGabrielle, Iâm so happy for you. You are right that those who donât know the truth have no idea about Mr. Morris. And thatâs why they are not very friendly towards him. As he is handsome, rich and powerful, he is rumored to be cruel and selfish too. They havenât really known Mr. Morris closely, right? Thatâs why they keep talking nonsense. Now, after seeing him closely I can understand Mr. Morris. He is a good man who takes care of his wife. If they see how gentle Mr. Morris was to you just now, they would be ashamed about their thoughts!â Lolita was determined to stand with Gabrielle and Westley. As Gabrielleâs friend, she wanted to protect their reputation.
âAnd now that they donât know Westley, we wonât force them to know him either. Itâs our own life. It has nothing to do with others, and they have no right to get involved in it. They can say whatever they like.â Gabrielle didnât care about anything else at all. She felt uncomfortable that those people were so good at making up lies and were trying everything to slander Westley. It made her feel worse than hurting herself. But she couldnât do anything alone to stop them. There were too many people out against them.
âThatâs right! As long as you and Mr. Morris are happy, who cares about those gossip mongers? They donât want others to be happy, and so they do what they can. Just gossip and spread rumors. I hate such people! If I meet such people next time, I will definitely beat them to death!â Lolita said fiercely.
âLolita, donât be so upset. And honestly, Iâd say not to try to reason out with those unreasonable people. Just stay away from them.â Gabrielle was thankful to Lolita for supporting her. But she didnât want to create too much noise about her relationship with Westley.
âGabrielle, believe me! From now onwards, I will always try to protect you and your happiness. Mr. Morris and you will always have my support,â Lolita said with a smile on her face.
âLook into your own business first! When are you going back to Ensfield?â Kendal couldnât help but remind Lolita.
âCome on! Weâll talk about it later. Look the elevator has stopped.â As soon as the door of the elevator opened, Lolita held Gabrielleâs hand. She literally pulled her out of the elevator and started walking.
The jewelry exchange meeting was to be held in the banquet hall, which was on the second floor. It could be seen after getting out of the elevator and taking a turn.
The event was being organized by the Antawood Jewelry Association. It was a private affair being set up before Christmas, yet it attracted people not only from the field of jewelry in Antawood, but also from other places. With so many people admiring the jewels set out for display, the atmosphere was really lively.
When the waiter opened the door for them, Gabrielle and Lolita were stunned. The lively scene inside was a total surprise. They had never thought that the exchange meeting would become such a big event.
Neither it was a formal exhibition nor was there any official announcement, yet all the people, who came to this exchange meeting, seemed to be carefully dressed. Fortunately, both of them had dressed in elegant and expensive clothes. And so they did not look inferior to anyone present there. They seemed apt in the surrounding and not out of place.
However, because of their known faces, and Kendal following them, they attracted the attention of many people.
Among all present, Vivianâs eyes were full of resentment. She was so furious that she wanted to hit Gabrielle. In her opinion, Gabrielle had gone too far.
How could she change her destiny like Cinderella? How could she transform into a princess with the help of Lolita and a man like Kendal?
She was really a clever woman. On one hand, Westley still wouldnât let her go. And in such a short time, she was being seen with Kendal. She was really shrewd.
Kendal didnât come from a rich family in Antawood.
Rather, he was the second son of the famous Shaw family in Ensfield. It was enough for him to be counted as a man of high status and respect even in Antawood.
âWho are these two women beside Mr. Shaw? Do you know them, Vivian?â The question came from a woman who was standing near Vivian.
She was curious because of the weird expression on Vivianâs face. When the other people saw the three of them walk in, everyone started to scream. But the expression on Vivianâs face showed how unhappy and upset she was on seeing the three of them.
It was obvious by the way she looked at them that she knew them and they were certainly not her friends.
âOf course I know them. Both of them are interns of our studio. The woman in silver dress is Lolita. She is the cousin of Mr.
Shaw. That woman, who is in dark green dress, is a friend of Lolita. Looks like she deliberately took advantage of Lolita to flatter Mr. Shaw and got the opportunity to attend such a prestigious event.â Vivian was using the opportunity to spread lies and slander Gabrielle.
In fact, the person who had asked Gabrielle and Lolita to come to the event was Vivian. She wanted to take this opportunity to humiliate Gabrielle. But all her plans seemed to have failed by the appearance of Kendal. It was like a direct defeat.
How could their presence make Vivian feel comfortable? Just a few people knew Gabrielle, and they hardly knew her personality or nature. Vivian was certain that it would not matter if she slandered Gabrielle!
âSo, she is a woman who only relies on her ability of seducing men. Is that how she gets her position?â The woman, who was standing beside Vivian, sneered at Gabrielle.
âWow! Such a woman doesnât deserve to work in the area of jewelry design. Itâs so humiliating!â
Another woman joined the gossip.
These were people who respected positive values. They didnât like women who didnât have any ability or talent. But seduced men to get into the upper class.
They believed that such an immoral woman would only ruin the atmosphere of their field.
âNewcomers like her have begun to rely on this method to reach a position and status, before they officially enter the field. She is really not a righteous woman.â
âThatâs right! Vivian, donât you feel ashamed? You have to work in the same company with such a person!â
âHow can she not be ashamed? Though Vivianâs designs are excellent and she has won many design awards, she has to work with such an ill-reputed woman. Naturally, sheâll be in a bad mood and distraught!â
âWell Vivian, you stayed in Mr. Fosterâs studio for him, didnât you? If it werenât for him, you would have left it. Isnât it?â
It was not a secret that Vivian liked Jason. Many people who were closer to Vivian would often make fun of her.
But Vivian didnât really care about it. Rather, when people would joke about Jason and her, she would be happy.
âI have already said that I will not leave Jasonâs company. Iâll always be with him!â Vivian answered in a calm manner.
She had actually planned to stay with Jason and develop the company along with him.
And unilaterally, she had already regarded herself as Jasonâs girlfriend. Though he was hardly aware of her plans.
âTo be honest, itâs nice to see a gentle and talented partner like you standing by Jasonâs side. Iâm really curious to know, when will you have your wedding ceremony?â
âYes! I hope you will invite us to your wedding! We have been waiting for it from so long!â
âAh! Itâs still too early to get married. All of us have decided to focus on our career as first priority.â Hearing them speak about marriage, Vivian started to feel a little embarrassed. So, she made an excuse about career.
The way she had put it across, it seemed like she and Jason were really going to get married. As a matter of fact, it was a one-
sided story. It was something which was what she had always dreamed of.
âBoth of you have already won many prizes. Leave some for us! How far are you planning to go? Donât you want to give us some opportunities?â
âItâs not really as successful as you say. Jason and I still need to work hard.â Vivian was overjoyed when she heard the people flattering her by their words.
âBut, Jason hasnât come to the party today. Didnât you tell him about it?â someone around her muttered.