Chapter 176 I Am Wealthy and Powerful
Natalie shot her an impatient glance. So annoying!
A voice chimed in, "Layla, what are you talking about?"
A woman in a formal gown walked over, exuding elegance and poise with a professional smile. She looked somewhat familiar. Had she been in some TV show?
Natalie glanced at her and frowned slightly.
Layla snorted and grabbed her arm, raising an eyebrow at Natalie with a smug tone. "Natalie, you should know her. The heiress of NovaTech Group and award-winning actress, Hannah!"
Oh, right. Wasn't she the celebrity who clawed her way into the A-list through reality shows and a crafted persona, despite her often-criticized acting skills? But wait, was Hannah the heiress of NovaTech Group?
Natalie's slight drunkenness cleared up a bit. So, she had this additional identity?
Hannah gave a gentle, harmless smile and extended her hand. "Ms. Clark, hello."
Natalie nodded but didn't shake her hand. She was in a bad mood and saw no need to be polite. Plus, if she got along well with that foreigner, Layla, she probably wasn't a good person either.
She glanced up and down at Hannah and smirked. "A big star, huh."
Hannah retracted her hand with a smile, pretending not to mind. "Ms. Clark, don't take it to heart. Layla is from Veridonia, the heiress of PrysmTech Group based in Avaloria. She's been in our country for less than a month and doesn't understand some things."
She turned and smiled at Layla. "Don't go around announcing my identity. Keep a low profile. I don't want people to think I got where I am because of my family."
Upon hearing this, Layla looked at Hannah with admiration and envy, then glared at Natalie with disdain. "Hannah, even with a strong family background, has always built her career on her own. Unlike you, who rely on a bit of family money to act recklessly and flirt around."
Natalie raised an eyebrow, her gaze coldly sweeping over Layla. Did she just say "a bit of family money" to describe Natalie? Truly, ignorance was bliss!
Her gaze fell on Hannah's awkward smile. Layla's words were probably a dig at her.
Natalie sneered, full of disdain, "My family is wealthy and powerful. Why should I be like you?"
They were clearly jealous yet spoke so righteously. Could NovaTech Group even compare to Clark Group?
"Ms. Clark, don't mind. Layla is just straightforward, no malice."
Natalie let out a cold laugh.
"Being straightforward is lacking in manners, not lacking in malice."
Layla was truly despicable! But in Natalie's eyes, Hannah in front of her was even more scheming than Layla. Layla had just arrived in Lumeria and didn't know Natalie, so it was understandable. But did Hannah not know either? Or did she not tell Layla about Natalie's background despite their close relationship?
Layla's face turned pale with anger at Natalie's words. She maliciously wanted to see Natalie disappointed, so she directly revealed Hannah's situation to her. "Natalie, what are you so proud of? Let me tell you, Hannah is not only a superstar, but she's also Gabriel's childhood sweetheart. NovaTech Group is about to merge with Kensington Group. I'm telling you, you have no chance!"
Hannah said, "Layla, we haven't gotten engaged yet, so don't spread it around." Although she said this, she didn't deny it either. Hannah shyly glanced at Natalie, as if confirming Layla's words.
A merger? Natalie chuckled lightly. No wonder she was so confident. No wonder Aaron saw Peter with people from NovaTech Group and Gabriel. It seemed to be true.
Layla remarked, "What are you afraid of? Anyway, your engagement with Gabriel is a sure thing. Kensington Group is a giant in the business world. Natalie, your family just has a small company, right? You were never a match for Gabriel, and Hannah is about to become Gabriel's wife. Who would dare look down on her then?"
Layla looked at Natalie coldly, raising her chin slightly, wanting to see Natalie in fear. "You think buying some trending topics to stay relevant makes you likable? Let people discuss your compatibility with Mr. Kensington and Yves. You are really shameless!"
Natalie's eyes turned cold, and she was just about to speak when she saw Mia hurrying over from a distance. She spoke bluntly, "Whose dog is barking here?"
Hannah and Layla both knew Mia. She was a big shot in the fashion world, and offending her would mean a dark future for them. Even Layla, from Veridonia, had heard of Mia's reputation. After all, an artist from Veridonia had yet to receive an invitation to Mia's shows.
Hannah replied, "Ms. Reed, it's a misunderstanding. Layla didn't mean it that way." Hannah began, but Mia interrupted her, "If it's your dog, then keep it leashed, and don't let it bite people!"
Hannah explained, "She's from Veridonia and doesn't understand our local matters."
Mia retorted, "She's a foreign breed of dog? Then you should teach her what manners are!"
Hannah was too embarrassed to respond. Her persona was always gentle and elegant; she couldn't start a shouting match for Layla, right? That would offend Mia, which wasn't worth it!
Layla's face turned pale, and she was just about to curse when someone walked out from the crowd. Yves.
She was instantly stunned. His features were nearly perfect. He walked over lazily and affectionately towards Natalie.
Yves asked, "Natalie, how much did you drink?"
His eyes completely ignored everyone else. He looked directly at Natalie, noticing her high heels, and slightly frowned, kneeling in front of her. He opened the handbag he was carrying, took out the latest CELINE women's flats, gently held Natalie's ankle, and unhesitatingly helped her change shoes.
This scene left Layla speechless. Layla's face turned ashen, her eyes filled with disbelief. How could Yves treat Natalie like this? He was an international superstar. How could Natalie be worthy of him?
A barely audible snort came from the air, and Natalie glanced at Layla. Her voice was indifferent, with a hint of mockery. "Yves, I heard you were talking bad about me outside?"
Yves inquired, "What?"
Yves didn't understand, focusing on putting her shoes on—as if nothing was more important than putting her shoes on. His fingers circled her heel, ensuring there were no bumps that would rub her foot, and then he was satisfied.
In this scene, even with a casual glance, everyone could see. Likewise, Gabriel, who had hurried over, stood in the crowd, his expression turning extremely unpleasant at this sight.
