Chapter 61 Welcome Banquet
After hearing what I said, Arabella finally came to her senses, "Right, right, let's go in, hurry up and go in."
Knox deliberately slowed down and fell back a few steps and said to me, "Helena, what's going on? How did John's family suddenly get another daughter?"
I shook my head, "I don't really know the details either. I only found out about this when I received the invitation."
"Such a big deal - do John's family members all agree to this?"
Knox was worried about Natasha, but wouldn't just say it directly. Why was he beating around the bush like this?
I sighed, "I really don't know about this. But we'll see what's going on once we get to the party."
Knox frowned, "Have you seen Natasha these past few days?"
I shook my head and pretended to be surprised, "No, why? What happened to her?"
"Knox, have you heard something?"
Knox quickly shook his head, "No, I'm just finding it strange that we haven't seen Natasha at such an important event."
I sneered inwardly - she's probably still locked up at home by John. For such an important occasion, how could John possibly let her make a scene?
"I don't know either. She hasn't contacted me these past few days, but it's fine - we should see her in a bit."
Hearing this, Knox quickly explained, "Helena, I'm just curious why Natasha hasn't appeared. It's not that I care about her. To me, she's just an outsider."
I smiled, "Knox, you don't need to explain. I know. I'm actually happy that you care about Natasha - it shows you care about my family too."
Hearing this, Knox finally relaxed and took my hand as we walked into the hotel.
Inside the hotel, people were everywhere. You could tell that almost every notable noble family in Starwave City had come.
It seemed John had put a lot of effort into this welcome party.
As soon as we entered the hotel, Henry was surrounded by the crowd.
After looking around and still not seeing Willow and Natasha, Maria said worriedly in my ear, "Helena, for such a big event, do you think Willow won't show up?"
I shook my head and said softly, "Who knows? That day, Willow had a huge fight with Uncle John. But if she doesn't even maintain appearances today, Uncle John will really lose face."
"Exactly. Everything was fine - how did this happen?"
Hearing Maria sighing for John's family, I felt nothing inside. In fact, I'd be even happier if Willow didn't show up today. The bigger the scandal, the better.
It would be best to watch John's family have no peace, so they wouldn't have the time to scheme against my family.
"Everyone, everyone."
A microphone sounded from the hotel steps, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Following the crowd, I saw John standing in front of the microphone.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend today's welcome party. Serenity is my eldest daughter. Due to certain circumstances, we were separated for over twenty years. Fortunately, we've finally reunited. Today's welcome party is for Serenity, and also to introduce her to everyone. I hope you'll all look after her in Starwave City from now on."
John's speech drew applause from the audience.
Arabella, standing nearby, swirled her champagne glass with a disdainful look and said to Maria, "Maria, what's going on with John? This Serenity is obviously his illegitimate daughter. It's really rare to see such a big event for an illegitimate daughter's return."
Arabella's words made Maria look somewhat displeased.
No matter how much John and his family upset us, it was still an internal matter of the Lockwood family. It wasn't an outsider's place to point fingers.
Maria frowned and said, "Even if she's illegitimate, she's still Lockwood family blood. John's gesture is admirable."
Hearing this, Arabella smiled without warmth, "Maria's right. But I don't seem to see Willow. She's not skipping the party, is she? How could she not be present at such an important occasion?"
As soon as Arabella said this, Knox saw Maria's face darken and said quietly, "Mom, stop talking."
Then Arabella seemed to realize her mistake and quickly said, "Look at my big mouth - saying such inappropriate things. Maria, please don't hold it against me."
"Of course not. I can listen to what you say, but don't let Willow hear it. After all, Willow never lets anyone off easy when she's in the right."
This was the first time I'd seen Maria directly fight back. I secretly gave Maria a thumbs-up.
Arabella, standing there embarrassed, stopped mentioning Willow and looked uncomfortable.
"Please welcome Serenity!"
Following a loud announcement, a spotlight fell on the staircase, and soon three women appeared on the spiral staircase.
It was Willow, Natasha, and Serenity.
Well, John was impressive - I didn't know what method he used to convince Willow and Natasha to put aside their differences and attend this party.
Willow wore a dark green gown with a pearl necklace at her neck, her graceful bearing particularly eye-catching.
Serenity and Natasha stood on either side of Willow, one in a white dress and one in red, like two blooming flowers, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Willow."
John eagerly ran to the spiral staircase and reached out to help Willow. Willow glanced at him expressionlessly, proud as a queen, holding her head high as she slowly descended the stairs.
Suddenly, Serenity stumbled, her hands flailing in the air as she let out a scream and fell down the stairs.
"Serenity, Serenity!"
John called out several times and rushed toward the stairs. Before he could reach Serenity, there was a tearing sound - in her struggle, Serenity had torn off the hem of Willow's dress.
Now it was Willow's turn to scream.
The torn hem exposed the leggings on her legs. Willow's perfectly made-up face was full of panic, completely losing her earlier graceful composure.
She let out an ear-splitting scream, covering her bare legs in panic.
The guests below erupted in commotion, everyone's eyes turning to Willow. The men's gazes fell shamelessly on Willow's legs.
Willow was both ashamed and angry, looking at Serenity with eyes that seemed ready to devour her, "You bitch, you set me up!"
"Mom!"
Natasha snapped out of it and quickly used her own dress to cover Willow's body, while shouting at Serenity, "You bitch, you hurt my mom!"
With that, she raised her hand and slapped Serenity hard across the face, "Bitch!"
"Natasha, what are you doing!"
John rushed over in a few quick steps, hurriedly helping Serenity up, then said to Natasha, "Take your mother out now!"