Chapter 132
"Tonight we plan to have a banquet at home. Come back and join us."
Lauren's tone was cold, as if she thought Gianna owed her a lot of money.
Gianna was surprised, then directly refused, "I have plans tonight. I'm busy."
"Gianna!" Lauren's voice was very angry. "If Belle hadn't wanted to mend things with you, do you think I’d want to call you back? If others find out about the temporary job you're doing, the dignity of the Redstone family will surely be lost because of you!"
Gianna found it somewhat amusing that they were afraid of letting the Redstone family lose face, yet calling her back to attend the banquet. She really didn't know what Lauren was thinking.
"I said I'm busy. If you're afraid of losing face, then don't ask me."
After saying that, Gianna hung up the phone, making Lauren very angry.
After a while, Bella messaged her.
[Gianna, why won't you come back? Are you afraid of being compared to me?]
[Actually, you don't need to feel inferior. You've been outside for over ten years, so it's normal not to keep up with me after coming back. The most important thing for a person is to see himself clearly. Standing next to Felix, you'll only make him a laughingstock.]
[If I were you, I would have quit long ago!]
Seeing the messages from Bella, Gianna raised an eyebrow, pretending not to have seen them.
Soon it was evening, and the Redstone family was filled with laughter and joy, everyone gathering to drink.
Because of her leg injury, Lauren got Bella a wheelchair and bought her the latest gown, which was long enough to cover Bella's injured leg.
Bella had light makeup on today, her hair pinned up, exuding a gentle temperament that easily caught others' attention.
"Lauren, I envy you so much. How could you give birth to such an outstanding daughter! You are the most fortunate mother in the world!"
"Yeah. Why does my child learn everything and still can't do anything well! If my child had half of Belle's excellence, I wouldn't have to worry!"
"I wonder who will be so lucky in the future to have such an outstanding wife as Belle!" The guests praised.
Amidst the compliments and praises of everyone, Lauren couldn't stop smiling, her eyes filled with pride, yet she pretended to be modest.
"You're exaggerating. Belle's success today is the result of her own efforts. By the way, she also got the autographs you wanted."
Upon hearing the words, everyone's eyes were filled with joy and disbelief. "Really? Did she really get Elia's autograph?!"
Lauren nodded, "Of course, I have no reason to lie to you about this."
Lauren handed the autograph given by Bella to a few friends in front of her, smiling as she said, "If it weren't for Belle knowing Elia, I probably wouldn't have gotten this autograph."
"So it's really Elia's autograph. What kind of person is she? Male or female?"
"Belle, you're amazing. If I had a son, I would definitely have him pursue you!"
"Stop dreaming. Belle has known the CEO of the Clinton Group since childhood. She wouldn't like anyone else. Even if she were to marry, it would definitely be someone like Felix!"
Although knowing it was a compliment, Bella couldn't help but feel elated upon hearing those words, her smile becoming more genuine.
"Elia is a woman, around forty years old, with a very easygoing personality."
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a sudden commotion at the door.
Everyone turned to see Emily walking in slowly in a white chiffon dress.
Emily had won third place in the design competition. Although Bella knew her, they were only a few years apart in age, so they weren't close.
But to Bella, she was just a mediocre person.
Among the wealthy ladies surrounding Bella and Lauren, one had a good relationship with Emily's mother. When she saw Emily, Emily quickly walked over, wearing a sweet smile on her face.
"Aunt Garcia, are you here for the banquet?"
The wealthy lady smiled and replied, "Yes. Why isn't your mom here?"
"She's feeling a bit unwell today, so she's resting."
During the conversation, Emily couldn't help but exclaim when she saw the autograph in Aunt Garcia's hand.
"Is this Elia's autograph?!"
Earlier, Emily had begged her dad to get Elia's autograph, but he hadn't helped her and even forbade her from approaching Elia, which made Emily furious.
Emily ever expected that Aunt Garcia would actually be able to obtain Elia's autograph!
Garcia handed the autograph to Emily with a smile, saying, "I got this autograph for you. Since you're here, it saves me another trip."
Emily took it with a delighted expression. "Thank you, Aunt Garcia! But how did you get Elia's autograph?!"
Aunt Garcia smiled and said, "I don't have that ability. It was Miss Redstone who got it. If you want to thank someone, you should thank Miss Redstone."
Upon hearing this, Emily turned to Bella, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, Miss Redstone, and congratulations on winning the design competition!"
Bella smiled gracefully and replied, "You're also very talented. I saw that you got third place."
Emily nodded, "Yes. Miss Redstone is amazing. My dad asked me to learn more from you!"
Initially indifferent to Bella before, Emily's attitude towards her changed immediately upon knowing that Bella knew Elia and even got her autograph.
"There's no need to exaggerate. I've seen your design drafts; and they're also excellent."
Emily didn't continue the topic but looked at Bella with curiosity. "How did you meet Elia? She's my idol!"
Bella's smile seemed a bit forced. "It was at an event abroad. I didn't expect her to become a judge for the design competition."
"Did you invite Elia to this banquet?"
After encountering Elia at home last time, Emily had been wanting to see what Elia really looked like. It would be even better if she could meet Elia.
Bella pursed her lips and said slowly, "I did invite her, but she probably doesn't have time to come. She's very busy with work."
"Okay."
Emily felt a bit disappointed, but she also understood that meeting Elia wasn't easy.
"By the way, as you know her, do you have her photo? After all, she's my idol; and I've always been curious about what she looks like."
Bella shook her head. "No. People of her age generally don't like taking photos."
Emily's eyes flashed with surprise! She vaguely felt that something was off.
'People of her age? Isn't Elia around the same age as me?' She thought.
Before Bella could speak, Aunt Garcia beside her spoke up, "Yes, Elia is around our age, so it's normal for her not to like taking photos."
Emily furrowed her brows and looked at Bella, "Are you sure you really know Elia?"
'The girl who passed by me last time was only in her twenties. How could she be the same age as my mother?' She thought.
Bella's heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition creeping in.
However, she quickly realized that Emily couldn't have possibly met Elia, so she calmed her emotions and nodded, "Yes, we met after the competition ended today."
As soon as she finished speaking, Emily's face turned extremely cold.
"You're lying!"
The voice was not soft, immediately attracting the attention of many people around.
Seeing that everyone was starting to pay attention to them, Aunt Garcia quickly pulled Emily's hand.
"Emily, why are you suddenly speaking so loudly?"
"Because I once passed by Elia. I just didn't know she was Elia at the time. I'm very certain that Elia is around the same age as me, not in her forties!" Emily sneered.
