Chapter 404 The Sole Heir of the Douglas Family and the Ellison Family
Paige and her group turned around, only to see an incredibly dazzling woman stepping out of a luxury car.
If they hadn't looked closely, Paige and Raymond probably wouldn't have recognized her immediately.
Francesca's makeup was ethereal and stunning, her beauty beyond words.
Despite being middle-aged, her face showed no signs of wrinkles or aging. Her natural beauty, combined with meticulous care, made her look even more striking.
In a luxurious evening gown, Paige instantly recognized the value of the dress.
However, the most dazzling thing was the necklace around Francesca's neck.
A diamond-studded necklace with a large, sparkling famous diamond hanging from it.
Paige stared at the diamond on Francesca's neck, feeling a strange sense of familiarity, but couldn't immediately recall where she had seen it before.
As Francesca approached after getting out of the car, Paige snapped out of her daze from Francesca's luxurious and glamorous appearance.
She didn't want to see Francesca at this moment.
Nor did she expect Francesca to show up here, dressed so magnificently.
Paige immediately put on a stern face. "Francesca, this party probably doesn't welcome you."
Francesca tried hard to control her emotions. She knew that showing up uninvited would not earn her any kindness from Paige.
However, she was very clear about what she needed to do today. "Paige, I'm not the person you think I am. I came here today because I have something very important to do. Give me a chance, okay?"
Just as Paige was about to say something, Raymond pulled her back.
Francesca, being very perceptive, noticed Raymond's action and continued, "The people inside can't be dealt with by ordinary means. Everything started because of me, and I will take full responsibility."
Paige asked, "What do you mean? Because of you? Francesca, you might as well make yourself clear."
Francesca lowered her head slightly. "Margaret, I told Andrew to capture her."
"It was you?" Paige's eyes were filled with deep-seated anger, ready to erupt. "You want to take me down from my position as the heir to the Ellison family, Francesca? Why is there a mother like you in this world? No, you're not my mother!"
Paige restrained her emotions, turned her face away after shouting, not letting Francesca see the emotions on her face.
Francesca took a deep breath. "I admit, I don't want you to be the heir to the Ellison family. But now things have come to this point, the Hamilton family and the Russell family won't let you go, no matter what your current status is. So, let me handle everything."
After saying this, Francesca walked into the banquet hall ahead of Paige.
Paige looked at Raymond. "Am I just going to let her in?"
Raymond replied, "Didn't you already suspect that she had something to do with Andrew kidnapping Margaret? Now that we have someone she wants, she will naturally help you."
Paige asked, "You mean, that disfigured man?"
Raymond nodded.
Sure enough, Francesca didn't come for her, but for that disfigured man.
So what if she was her biological daughter?
"Let's see what she's capable of. If she plans to kill to silence, with so many people here today, we can just send her to jail." Raymond wasn't sure if Francesca came to kill or to save someone.
Moreover, Raymond was also very curious.
Why did that disfigured man hide outside for so many years and never return home?
Raymond wanted to say something more, but Pearl reminded him. "It's almost time. The people inside are probably getting impatient for the show to start."
Paige took a deep breath and asked. "Still no sign of Andrew and Margaret?"
Pearl answered, "All arrangements are in place, but we still haven't seen them brought to the scene."
These two who had completely lost control were bound to appear today.
This banquet was set up to force Paige into a corner, wasn't it?
Inviting so many nobles and wealthy families was just to witness Paige's downfall.
Paige nodded. "Let's go. They must be waiting."
Paige led her subordinates and the Smith family members. Behind Raymond, Louis followed.
Everyone knew that tonight would be a tough battle.
Ahead, when Francesca entered the venue, she immediately attracted a group of wealthy ladies. Most of them knew Francesca and, seeing her extraordinary attire tonight, gathered around to chat.
Francesca was also waiting for the right moment.
She seemed to be chatting with a group of wealthy ladies about jewelry, top dresses, but her eyes were always on the lookout for any movement around her.
On this side, as the host of the banquet, Paige's appearance drew everyone's attention.
Those who could enter this circle knew what the Ellison surname and the Universe Group represented.
So, seeing important members of the Hamilton family and the Russell family attending the banquet, everyone was curious about the theme of tonight's event.
When Paige and Raymond entered, the room quieted down significantly.
Paige smiled all the way as she walked towards the stage.
She knew that Andrew and Margaret wouldn't come out unless she made an appearance.
A nearby waitress quickly handed Paige a microphone.
Paige knew that the other party would appear just as she started speaking and had everyone's attention.
She had already asked Julian to keep an eye outside.
Paige smiled as she took the microphone and then bowed to the audience. "Here, the first thing I want to do today is to apologize. I'm very sorry, my friends, but tonight's banquet was not planned by the Universe Group; it was an accident. Perhaps you should know that as the heir to the Ellison family, I just finished dealing with internal conflicts within the group. Then, without our knowledge, this banquet was arranged. When I found out, I saw that all our friends had confirmed their attendance. So, tonight's banquet is being held as scheduled. I also want to know the theme of tonight's banquet. Why don't we all look forward to it together?"
After taking the stage, Paige openly brought up the internal conflicts of the Universe Group.
She made it clear to take the initiative.
Later, when Andrew brought Margaret out, even if they exposed her identity, the impact would be lessened.
Over there, Dennis put down his wine glass, looked at Paige on the stage, and smiled.
He started clapping, loud enough for those around him to hear.
Dennis said, "She really is a woman who doesn't play by the rules. I think she can bring something different to the three major families."
As Dennis finished speaking, Joshua responded, "Destruction?"
Emory looked at Joshua, "Uncle Joshua, isn't that a bit too much? Just a..."
"Just a mere impostor, yet she has such skill and courage. Tonight, we must expose her!" Joshua said, downing a glass of champagne as if celebrating in advance.
Dennis also smiled, "My gift is already prepared, ready to assist Mr. Russell."
Saying this, Dennis glanced at several key media positions on the scene.
Only Jenny was still eagerly anticipating the chaos. "Dennis, how about a world-class explosive news broadcast? Don't you need an opportunity? Isn't this a perfect one?"
Dennis replied, "It's already arranged."
Whether Paige succeeds or fails, the media under the Hamilton family witnessing it would bring unimaginable benefits to the Hamilton family.
He had already ordered the live broadcast to start warming up as soon as Paige took the stage.
At this moment, Paige was still smiling. After finishing her speech, she was about to hand the microphone back to the waitress when Andrew and Margaret finally appeared!
Paige clearly saw Andrew and Margaret walking towards them. They hadn't entered from outside but had been brought in and hidden inside the banquet hall.
Andrew, holding a microphone from who knew where, shouted following Paige's words. "That's right, this banquet is my invitation to everyone. I want everyone to know that the Xanthe Ellison standing on the stage is nothing but an impostor!"
As soon as Andrew said this, the room started buzzing with low discussions.
If Xanthe Ellison was an impostor, the consequences would be troublesome.
Many people present had collaborations with the Universe Group. Once the news spread, stock prices would plummet, assets would evaporate, and the losses would be immeasurable.
Of course, the biggest loss would naturally be the Universe Group.
Even the reputation and credibility of the Universe Group would be entirely lost.
Paige carefully watched Andrew and Margaret walking up.
In just a short time, Margaret seemed to have aged significantly. She had obviously tidied up her appearance and didn't look like she had been kidnapped. Although she wasn't dressed as a grand controller of a wealthy family, but...
As Paige watched, she suddenly felt something was off. Margaret's clothes were very loose, but her entire upper body seemed much bulkier. The same was true for Andrew.
Paige was startled, and just as she was thinking, Pearl leaned in and whispered to Paige. "Ms. Ellison, there's trouble. The outer perimeter surrounded by Julian has been encircled by a group of unidentified people."
As Pearl reported, Francesca's phone, which she had been holding, vibrated. She glanced at the message on the screen and finally felt relieved.
At that moment, Francesca moved, walking step by step towards Paige.
She stared straight ahead at Paige standing on the stage. After twenty-three years and ten months, it was the first time she had let down all her defenses and walked towards her long-missed daughter.
Even when she cried her heart out upon knowing Paige was her biological daughter, she didn't dare to touch Paige. Today, she finally walked towards her with her head held high and firm steps.
As Francesca walked step by step, Paige and everyone else's attention was entirely on Andrew and Margaret.
It wasn't until Francesca had already stepped onto the stage that people noticed her.
Previously, Francesca had kept a low profile, staying with the group of wealthy ladies after entering, not attracting much attention.
At this moment, Francesca, in her luxurious attire and stunning beauty, stepped onto the stage, instantly drawing everyone's gaze.
When Paige saw Francesca stepping onto the stage, combined with what Pearl had just told her, she had a rough guess in her mind.
What else could Francesca do?
She had already admitted that she had initially collaborated with Andrew to kidnap Margaret, intending to expose Paige's identity and remove her from the position of the Ellison family heir.
But hearing those words and seeing Francesca walking step by step towards her, intending to harm her, Paige just stood there.
She thought, the group surrounding the banquet hall outside should also be Francesca's people.
The only thing she didn't understand was where Francesca got such power. So many subordinates at her command, and they had nothing to do with the Carnegie family.
Francesca arrived and stood in front of Paige.
In the audience, everyone watched her. Meanwhile, Joshua from the Russell family, upon closely examining the necklace on Francesca's neck, put down his wine glass and walked up step by step.
He murmured, "That necklace..."
Jenny asked softly, "Uncle Joshua, what's with the necklace?"
Joshua, as if possessed, walked forward without answering.
Francesca stood in front of Paige. She looked down at Paige's hand and took the microphone from her.
Paige still held on with some strength, not letting go.
Francesca gently reached out and touched Paige's cheek softly. "For all the wrongs I've done to you, I will give you an explanation today. I'm sorry, my dear daughter. It's been twenty-three years, and I've never protected you. This time, no matter how big the storm, let me bear it."
Paige looked at Francesca in shock, her eyes full of confusion. Paige thought to herself, 'What madness is she up to now?'
But Francesca took the microphone from her hand.
Francesca, holding the microphone, addressed everyone below. "Everyone should know Andrew, right?"
Andrew shouted, "Francesca, what do you mean?"
Francesca said, "Andrew, our collaboration ends here. However, you were right about one thing. My daughter, Xanthe Ellison, indeed shouldn't be the heir to the Ellison family. She should be the heir to the Douglas family! With the Hamilton family and the Russell family present, it's time to reclaim everything that belongs to the Douglas family. I, Francesca Douglas, officially announce that she is not part of the Ellison family. She has the blood of the Douglas family flowing through her veins, and she is the sole heir to the Douglas family!"
As Francesca said this, amidst the shock of everyone, including Paige, she grabbed Paige's hand.
But just as Francesca finished speaking, an elderly yet steady voice questioned from outside the venue. "I'm not dead yet. Who dares to question my granddaughter's pure Ellison family bloodline and her status as the sole heir to the Ellison family?"
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