HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 52: The storm after (1)
Kate immediately plastered a smile on her face, fitting for the occasion.
’’I’m fine. Just lost in silly thoughts.’’
Very silly thoughts that could only be a dream for her.
’’If you say so, Kate.’’ Eve saw that Kate appeared normal and chose not to press further. She cocked her head to the silent, fuming lady.
’’Hi, Bebe.’’ She greeted with a welcoming smile.
"Huh? Eve!" Bebe’s expression shifted instantly at the sight of her dear friend. Forgetting her lingering resentment, she beamed widely. "I didn’t expect to see you here!"
She also closed the distance between them.
"Well, I’ve never been invited to a banquet like this before.’’ Eve replied with a small laugh, "I couldn’t resist my curiosity. Besides, Miss Bella was gracious enough to extend an invitation to someone like me."
’’Urgh, don’t be like everyone else and speak like she’s some angel.’’ Bebe rolled her eyes with a scoff, her lips curling in visible disgust. ’’She’s just putting a show for the public.’’
’’Bebe.’’ Kate quickly called out, warningly.
’’Hmph!’’ Bebe did not care and turned her head away in defiance. ’’It’s only because her family has money to waste on her someone like her.’’ She whispered under her breath.
’’Bebe!’’
’’Haha....’’ Eve could only laugh awkwardly as she watched Kate warning Bebe about her words.
’Well, she’s not wrong about that.’ Eve turned her gaze to the crowd around the main character of the day.
’Actress Bella.’ She murmured the name of the woman in her heart.
A B-list actress that has a well-amount of fame and a few blockbuster dramas and movies to her name, enough to give her strong foothold in the entertainment industry.
Someone that she could not compare to as an upcoming actress.
Eve’s eyes remained on Arabella, surrounded by the guests, and then swept them over the grand hall with an undeniable glamor.
’Her family really does have money.’ She mused silently. ’I heard her father is the eldest son of a rich family, but he is a managing director...’ Her brows knitted slightly.
’The company is his family’s business. Why isn’t he the CEO or something higher?’ She returned her gaze back to the main character of the celebration.
’’I wonder when President Kingston will arrive?’’ A woman adorned in striking ruby diamonds walked past with her companions, her voice laced with curiosity.
’’The first young miss Kingston really put a lot of thought into her birthday banquet.’’ one of the companions glanced around the lavishness of the grand hall.
’’President Kingston is known for being reserved. Who knows if she’ll actually attend this banquet?’’ The other remarked in a skeptical tone.
’’But the first young miss seemed quite assured she’d come.’’ The ruby-adorned lady opposed as her eyes flashed with disgust. ’’That’s the only reason I bothered to attend such banquet. I can’t stand the sight of these lowly actresses who don’t realize how much the first young miss has done for them.’’
’’Well, this could all just be another scheme of hers.’’
’’True...’’
’’These actresses will definitely appreciate her.’’
’’They can’t wait to enter families as mistresses.’’
’’Hahaha....’’
’’.....’’ Eve listened as these women strutted past her and did not bother to hide the disdain in their words and face.
’’It’s the same everywhere, Eve.’’ She turned to Kate, who leaned in with a whisper. ’’Families like them look down on us in the entertainment industry.’’
Kate then sighed in visible relief. ’’Thank goodness Bebe isn’t here with us right now.’’
Her words made Eve to notice the absence of Bebe.
’’It seems Miss Bella’s cousin is quite different from what the media has made her out to be, if those women recognize her as President Kingston.’’ Kate remarked, her voice thoughtful as she brought up the conversation they overheard moments ago.
’’You know her?’’ Eve asked, her curiosity piqued.
’’Of course not.’’ Kate immediately denied. ’’I’ve only heard bits and pieces about the family.’’
’’A few years ago before you signed in with the company, I remember the managing director had rushed suddenly out one day. It wasn’t until the next day that I heard his only younger brother and sister-in-law encountered an accident and died unfortunately. Miss Bella’s cousin is probably their child.’’
’’You know the managing director’s last name is Kingston.’’ Kate continued. ’’If you search the name online, that’s the name of a top business corporation in the country. It makes sense why the company is partial to Miss Bella with a family like that.’’
Her voice dropped lower as she added. ’’If the managing director is still in the company, then his late brother must have been in a higher position than him. Perhaps his daughter has taken over the position. That must be why those women refer her as President Kingston.’’
’’Anyway, this is just my speculation.’’ Kate concluded with a casual shrug. ’’There’s probably something going on in Miss Bella’s family. Who knows if something is meant to happen soon? It’s strange how she kept on insisting and announcing that her cousin will attend the banquet.’’
’’Really?’’
’’Well, I don’t know.’’ Kate said, dismissively. ’’Miss Bella and her family are none of our business, Eve. Let’s just enjoy the banquet and find some little....help, you know.’’ She playfully winked at the end.
Eve chuckled, understating the literal meaning of that playful wink. ’’Alright Kate.’’
’’Let go over to the side and have some pastries.’’ Kate suggested, feeling the light grumble of her belly.
This lavish banquet was one in a lifetime. She must not definitely not waste the chance to indulge herself in some fine delicacies of expensive restaurants.
’’Let’s go.’’ Eve readily agreed with a smile and followed Kate through the crowd of guests.
’’First young miss Kingston....’’
’’President Kingston....’’
’’Actress Bella....’’
As they carefully weaved through clusters of glimmering gown and neatly ironed suits, the name Kingston kept on ringing in her ear from different lips.
It was more than stage name Actress Bella.
’I guess it won’t hurt to check at home.’ A curious glint flickered in her eyes as she recalled the amount of attention focused only on the actress, and even her family background.
*****
As the night wore on, the anticipated birthday banquet gradually came to a conclusion. The occasion was broadcasted live from beginning to end, capturing every detail of the birthday banquet.
The next day hadn’t even begun before snippets of videos and news became the top trending searches on social media.
The hashtag #ArabellasBirthdayBash quickly spread across different platforms, with thousands of posts flooding feeds. Fans and critics alike couldn’t help but weigh in on the lavishness of the banquet. The grand chandeliers, the towering floral arrangements, the glittering gold accents on every surface....the extravagance was more than anyone could have imagined for a birthday banquet.
Arabella, the undisputed star of the evening, received much attention. Her crimson gown, intricately designed and perfectly tailored, caught the eyes of fashion enthusiasts’ fans everywhere. Her jewelry and shoes were also the subject of countless comments, with luxury brand names being thrown around like confetti.
Social media users couldn’t help but wonder about the mysteriousness of her powerful background. Speculations swirled about her family’s influence and wealth.
Many praised Arabella for elegant composure throughout the banquet. Her kindness and generosity also garnered attention, particularly her thoughtful invitations to artists—A-list to rising stars from various entertainment companies.
’’Our Bella definitely knows how to throw a party!’’
’’She’s a real queen, humble and so talented.’’
’’Is she an actress? She seems like those princesses from royal families.’’
Of course, behind all the praise were some comments that hinted at the connection between Arabella and many backdoor deals. The insinuations were about Arabella’s mysterious family background and that some of her success might not be as purely earned as it appeared. These comments were drowned out by the flood of positive comments, but they lingered underneath the surface of positive comments, impossible to ignore.
As many praised and admired Arabella for her outstanding birthday banquet, a small, intriguing article suddenly appeared online, capturing the curiosity of everyone. The headline read: "Where and Who is Actress Bella’s Rumored Cousin? Did She Attend or Did She Ignore the Kind Intentions of Actress Bella?"
The article featured a blurry image of a silhouette with a question mark on it, as though someone had purposefully obscured the identity of the "mysterious cousin." Immediately, fans flooded the article and the article also rode along the trending searches with news of Arabella on social media.
The article sparked a new wave of speculation and intrigue.
’’Wait, isn’t that cousin that Actress Bella had invited?’’
’’Yes, I remember. Actress Bella spoke about her cousin on the celebrity’s talk show. She seems to treat like her cousin like her own sister.’’
’’I was there on live broadcasted. Our Bella did not introduce anyone as her cousin. The means the bitch did not attend the banquet at all!’’
’’Honestly, Bella is such a kind soul to even bother inviting someone like that. If I were her, I’d just cut off people who don’t appreciate me.’’
’’Our Bella is so kind to ungrateful people.’’
"Honestly, this cousin must be doing this as another excuse for more drama. She knows how to keep the mystery alive, but I bet she’s just making it all up for attention.’’
"Could this cousin be some kind of rival? Maybe she’s avoiding the public eye on purpose to create mystery and bring in more attention.’’
As comments flooded the article, one comment suddenly gained over thousands and thousands of likes.
Apologize to Actress Bella! +1
Apologize to Actress Bella! +2
Apologize to Actress Bella! +50
Apologize to Actress Bella! +3k
The comment quickly gained traction. Now, fans and passerby fans were demanding an apology from the rumored cousin of their dear Actress Bella.
