âThatâs not what I meant. Itâs just that youâve always been really discreet with your doings. You never
show up at events like this.â
âReally? Well, youâll have to get used to it now.â
Bella narrowed her alluring eyes slightly. Her gaze gave off a hint of intrigue as she addressed her
cousin. âIâll be making more public
appearances from now on. It seems like weâll have to spend more time catching up, Cecily.â
Cecilyâs face wore a forced smile, though she was seething inside.
The staff politely asked Bella. âMiss, may I see your invitation,
please?â
âI donât have one,â Bella admitted openly.
âPfft!â
Cecily could not hold back her laughter as she mockingly remarked
finally seizing an opportunity to regain some ground. âMy dear Bella
have you been out of the loop for too long? Donât you know that you
need an invitation to get into a high society event like this? Youâre
making things difficult for the staff.â
The staff looked visibly perplexed. âIâm sorry, miss, but you canât enter
without an invitation.â
âIâm Bella Thompson,â Bella stated calmly, her expression indifferent.
The name âBella Thompsonâ struck the staff like a thunderbolt,
leaving them.dumbfounded.
In the past, Bella would just mention her fatherâs name for
convenience.
But now, after causing quite a stir in Savrow, her name alone held enough weight. There was no need
to rely on her fatherâs name
anymore.
âAh, Ms. Thompson! My apologies!â
âNo worries. I had some urgent matters to attend to and wanted to see Mr. Salvador. My bad, I didnât
think this through carefully.â
Bella then adopted a humble tone, offering a slight smile. âSince I donât have an invitation, I understand
that itâd be hard for you to let me in. Could you please inform Mr. Salvador that Iâm here to see him?â
âItâs alright, Ms. Thompson. Please, come right in!â The staffâs
attitude was notably more attentive, a complete contrast to their
previous treatment of Cecily.
âThank you. This is Mr. Larson, a friend of mine. Can we please en
together?â Bella asked politely.
âOf course! This way, please!â
The staff courteously escorted Bella and Arnold into the banquet hall.
Cecily was left standing alone at the entrance. Her face flushed with
frustration as she stomped her foot.
It had always been like this since they were children. No matter how
hard Cecily tried, her radiance would inevitably be overshadowed by
Bella.
Meanwhile, Justin and Ryan were walking together toward the banquet hall.
âHow is Carrie lately?â Despite Justinâs neutral expression, he was still concerned about his sisterâs
well-being.
âCarrieâs been doing well. Once I finish my current tasks, Iâm planning
on taking her to Switzerland for a while so that she can get better treatment.â
Whenever someone mentioned Carrie, Ryanâs eyes softened with warmth and anticipation for the
future. âIâve reached out to a psychiatrist who can help Carrie overcome her struggles, especially with
her autism and trauma.â
âTrauma? What do you mean?â Justin halted, puzzled.
âIâm not sure either. Yasmin was the one who told me about this. She
believes that Carrie may have been traumatized previously. I think probably had something to do with
Bethany. After all, Bethany constantly bullied Carrie in your house back then. Anyone would
develop trauma in such a situation.â
A cold, determined glint flickered in Ryanâs narrowed eyes. âBut it doesnât matter anymore. Iâve already
sought revenge for Carrie. If
Bethany dares to lay her hand on Carrie again, Iâll make sure she faces severe consequences!â
âHave you done something to Bethany?â Justin asked, his expression cold and detached.
âWhy? Are you concerned about her?â