The birthday banquet officially began.
Beneath the shimmering crystal chandeliers, a soothing, orchestral version of "Happy Birthday" floated through the air.
Accompanied by Old Mr. Lancaster, Brianna walked onto the main stage.
Her eyes immediately began to scan the crowd.
Finally, they locked onto a fiery red figure in a quiet corner.
Serena met her gaze and curved her lips into a smile.
Brianna's eyes crinkled, her smile growing even sweeter.
The standard proceedings unfolded in an orderly fashion.
Although the young woman usually seemed a bit dazed and cute, she handled the grand occasion with the elegance and composure expected of the young lady of the Blackwood family.
Soon, Brianna's coming-of-age cake was wheeled out.
Standing on the high platform, she slowly cut the first slice.
The entire hall erupted in a deafening chorus of "Happy Birthday!"
Below the stage.
A socialite, while applauding, turned to Isabella beside her. “Isabella, how come you didn't cut the cake with Miss Blackwood?"
"Yes, aren't you and Brianna supposed to be the closest of friends?"
The other socialites also looked over.
Isabella's smile stiffened. Faced with their probing or gossipy glances, she could barely maintain her composure.
She was burning with embarrassment.
Before the ceremony officially started, she had specifically gone to find Brianna.
She had proposed that they go on stage together to cut the first slice of the cake, as a display of the deep bond between their families.
After all, the Lancaster and Blackwood families had been close for years.
And publicly, she and Brianna were known to have a strong relationship.
Cutting the cake together would have been beneficial for both the Blackwood and Lancaster families.
But Brianna had rejected her request without hesitation, coldly saying, "Even if we were to show the bond between our families, it should be the true heiress of the Lancaster family cutting the cake with me. By what right would you stand with me?”
Every word was like a sharp blade piercing her heart.
Isabella was furious.
In the past, she had done everything to curry favor with Brianna, but Brianna's attitude had always been lukewarm. She would always say that Isabella and Nicholas were not a good match and that she would never acknowledge her as a future sister-in-law.
However, Brianna would at least maintain a public front for their families' sakes and not truly embarrass her.
But now...
Brianna wasn't even giving her that courtesy anymore.
Just because she wasn't the true heiress of the Lancaster family?
Isabella's fingers clenched one by one. Facing the curious gazes of the socialites, she felt mortified and humiliated.
Just as she was about to lose her composure a haughty voice cut in from nearby. "What's there to ask? Brianna ust wants the spotlight all to herself! Even I, her own cousin, didn't get a share What makes you think you can question it?"
Karen Blackwood, dressed in a haute couture gown, walked over. Her makeup was exquisite and striking, the corners of her eyes flicked upward, and her every move exuded an air of superiority.
She shot a displeased look at the socialite who had first asked the question and sneered, “What? Did you want to go up and cut the cake with Brianna?”
The socialite recognized Karen and didn't dare to offend her, so she quickly fell silent.
"Karen..."
Isabella looked at Karen, who was defending her, her eyes reddening with gratitude. Her gaze, however, went past Karen to Hailey, who was part of Karen's entourage.
Having likely latched onto the eldest daughter of the Blackwood family's secondary branch, Hailey was now as proud as a victorious rooster her chin held high trying her best to fi into Karen's circle.
But...
Among these genuine top-tier socialites, Hailey's unpresentable and petty demeanor only stood out more.
Especially her asymmetrical face, which looked particularly ridiculous whenever she made an expression.
Isabella's eyes flashed with disdain, but she showed none of it on her face.
Both of these people... held a grudge against Serena.
They had teamed up.
They were clearly planning to deal with Serena.
This was something she was happy to see.
Karen took Isabella's hand and patted it gently. "Isabella, don't worry. I will always
be on your side. I will only ever recognize you as Nicholas's future wife!”
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the crowd, landing on Serena, who was leaning lazily against a wall with her arms crossed.
Remembering how Serena had caused her to be hospitalized for three days, Karen seethed with anger.
Her eyes glinted as she sneered, “Tonight, I will make sure she is utterly ruined and disgraced!"
As they spoke, the cake-cutting ceremony concluded.
Amid applause and blessings, Brianna made a wish and blew out the candles.
The host smiled and introduced the
next segment. "And now, for one of the most anticipated parts of the evening the Blackwood family is. honored to have invited top masters.
from the fields of music masters
calligraphy, painting, chess, technology, and more from around the globe!"
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As soon as the host finished speaking, the atmosphere in the banquet hall became
electric.
Especially among the young scions and socialites, whose eyes lit up with
eagerness.
The most important part of tonight's banquet was this “mentorship showcase"!