Chapter 234 Gathering to Cause Trouble?
Saturday evening, Emerald Harbor in Harmony City.
A massive white cruise ship named "Moonlit Sea" sat quietly at the dock like a floating palace on the water.
The ship was brightly lit, making the surrounding sea sparkle with reflected light.
A long red carpet stretched across the dock, lined on both sides with uniformed attendants.
One luxury car after another pulled up, and out stepped business tycoons, art celebrities, and members of prominent families—all well-known figures in Harmony City and even across the country.
This wasn't just a private viewing party, but a top-tier social gathering.
Anna wore a champagne-colored haute couture gown and walked elegantly down the red carpet on her father Eloy Clark's arm, nodding graciously to acquaintances around her.
Her every movement showed the grace of a top socialite.
As soon as she entered the ship's magnificent main hall, she spotted Dione chatting and laughing with several noble hostesses.
"Mrs. Hensley!"
Anna let go of Eloy, lifted her skirt, and walked over with light steps, her voice sweet and gentle.
Dione heard the voice and turned around.
Seeing it was Anna, Dione smiled, but the smile wasn't as warm as before—it carried a hint of formality and distance.
"Oh, Anna, you're here."
Dione just nodded lightly, without pulling her hand affectionately like she used to.
Anna's smile froze for a moment.
A strange feeling rose in her heart. What was up with Dione today? Why was she being so cold?
Anna didn't think too much about it, assuming Dione was unhappy because Stefan hadn't arrived yet.
After all, I've already heard that woman Amelia is coming today too.
Dione must be upset thinking about seeing Amelia soon, and is taking it out on me.
Thinking this, Anna's hatred for Amelia deepened even more.
Anna put on her sweet smile again, moved closer to Dione intimately, and asked with concern: "Mrs. Hensley, you don't look well today. Are you feeling alright?"
She paused, then continued as if casually: "Where's Stefan? Why didn't he come with you? Leaving you alone at an event like this—he's being so inconsiderate."
Anna deliberately brought up Stefan to remind Dione that she, Anna, was the future hostess of the Hensley family, and Stefan should be accompanying them.
But unexpectedly, Dione's expression grew even darker at these words.
She forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes, her tone full of resentment.
"He's busy, has important guests to pick up. Doesn't have time for me."
The words dripped with sarcasm.
Anna's heart stirred—she understood immediately.
These so-called "important guests"—who else could they be but Amelia and her family?
Stefan really does respect those common people!
Anna sneered inwardly, but put on an understanding expression and consoled gently: "Mrs. Hensley, don't be upset. Stefan is just very career-focused, you know that."
As she spoke, she thoughtfully patted Dione's back.
"Besides, tonight's gathering hosted by Vincent is so important. Stefan must need to get all his work matters sorted before coming. Mrs. Hensley, you're the elder—you can't hold it against him, or outsiders might think you two don't get along."
Anna's words seemed to defend Stefan, but every sentence was adding fuel to the fire, implying that Stefan was neglecting his own mother for an outsider.
Sure enough, Dione's expression darkened further.
Looking at the well-mannered, gentle and considerate Anna before her, then thinking of Amelia who opposed her at every turn, the scales in Dione's heart began to waver again.
Could that investigation report... really have been forged by Amelia?
After all, how could such a good girl like Anna do something as vicious as hiring kidnappers?
Just as doubt was clouding Dione's mind again, a subordinate in a black suit hurried to Anna's side and reported in a low voice.
"Ms. Clark, they've arrived."
Anna's eyes lit up instantly.
This was the moment she'd been waiting for.
She turned to Dione and the other ladies with an apologetic smile: "Mrs. Hensley, ladies, some friends of mine have arrived. I'll go say hello. Please excuse me."
With that, Anna lifted her skirt and walked toward the main hall entrance.
Several noble socialites who were close to her immediately gathered around.
"Anna, how is it? Has that country bumpkin arrived?" a girl in a pink tulle dress asked impatiently. She was Elise Russell, a socialite from the Russell Group.
"Just arrived." A cold smile curved Anna's lips.
"I heard she even brought her parents who run a noodle shop."
"Oh my God! Really?" Sofia Foster in a pale yellow gown dramatically covered her mouth.
"Is she crazy? Bringing two country bumpkins to an event like this? Isn't she embarrassed?"
Elise sneered, her tone full of spite: "Embarrassed? She probably thinks this is bringing glory to her family. I just wonder if they know the rules here, or if they'll chug champagne like beer straight from the bottle."
"I'm more curious what they're wearing." Sofia covered her mouth, laughing so hard she shook. "I really want to see what two middle-aged noodle shop owners look like in formal wear. Their outfits must be rented, right? Let's hope they don't get sauce smell all over the rental clothes."
"I heard her mother is just a crude cook with hands full of cooking oil smell. Won't she stink us out later?"
"And her father—I heard he just kneads dough, with really rough hands. Better not let him touch Vincent's antiques!"
The group burst into laughter, their words full of undisguised contempt and malice.
Their voices were just loud enough for some eavesdropping guests nearby to hear, drawing snickers.
Listening to her friends' mockery, Anna's earlier displeasure dissipated considerably.
That's right—so what if Amelia is pretty? So what if she got lucky and won some designer championship?
Her background is a stain she can never wash away.
Today, I'm going to let everyone see just how out of place Amelia and her family are in this circle.
I'm going to make Stefan see with his own eyes... how ridiculous and embarrassing it is to bring such low-born people to Vincent's party!
"Stefan really doesn't know how to choose. He ignores a perfect girl like you, Anna, and prefers that low-born common girl." Elise said indignantly.
"Exactly. But it's fine—once that family makes fools of themselves, let's see if Stefan still has the nerve to protect her!"
Anna lifted her chin, a flash of viciousness in her eyes.
"Come on, let's go 'welcome' our new friends."
With an elegant yet cruel smile on her face, she led her group of drama-loving friends in a grand procession toward the entrance.
Anna couldn't wait to enjoy the sight of Amelia and her family looking awkward and out of place.