Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 119: Currying Favor

’On what grounds? The Sinclair Family couldn’t even compare to the Hawthornes, so why would Linden Nathan meet with that old hag and not her!’

Frances Bennett was filled with rage.

She suppressed her anger, but her ears were working overtime as she focused on the conversation next to her.

"His daughter’s identity hasn’t been publicly revealed. When we meet her, you must remember to keep it a secret. Otherwise, we’ll lose our connection to Linden Nathan as a resource," Fiona Sinclair earnestly reminded her granddaughter.

She knew her granddaughter had lofty ambitions, but in front of Linden Nathan, even the proudest person had to be humble.

Sometimes the gap between people wasn’t just about seniority, but also about financial power.

The Nathan Family’s assets dwarfed the Sinclair Family’s. Even though she was Linden Nathan’s elder, she still felt a little insecure when speaking to him.

This was the difference between social classes.

"Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll definitely keep it a secret."

Serena Hughes patted her chest, making a solemn vow. She silently resolved that when Selina Nathan arrived, she would do everything she could to win her over.

As long as it wasn’t someone like Sharon Quincy, she could lower her head and flatter anyone.

Serena Hughes and Fiona Sinclair sat down in another booth, separated by a plant that happened to block the view of Frances Bennett.

Frances Bennett didn’t miss the key words in their conversation.

’The real Selina Nathan is coming too?’

Hearing Selina Nathan’s name, Frances Bennett was filled with complicated emotions.

She had once thought Selina Nathan would be her daughter-in-law. The news had even spread throughout Korsyth’s circle of socialites. But it had all been for nothing—the girl turned out to be an imposter.

Now, hearing the name Selina Nathan again, Frances was, on the one hand, curious, and on the other, resentful.

’If only the real Selina Nathan liked Damian.’

’If the Hawthorne and Nathan families were connected, the Hawthornes’ status would be secure.’

’It was a shame that Sharon Quincy had fooled them all.’

Frances Bennett furiously whipped her head around to stare, unblinking, in the direction from which Fiona Sinclair and the others had come.

Linden Nathan had to be over there.

Frances Bennett felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. After some thought, she decided to take the initiative and try her luck.

But as soon as she approached, several bodyguards came out and blocked her way.

"Ma’am, that booth has been reserved."

Frances Bennett stammered, "I... I’m just looking for someone."

"Please look for them elsewhere." The bodyguard in black pointed politely to the side, his meaning clear: whoever she was looking for was definitely not in that booth.

The bodyguard’s bluntness left Frances Bennett feeling very awkward.

Just then, a voice calling out, "Frances, dear," made her freeze. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Frances, dear, what are you doing here?" Fiona Sinclair walked over graciously. Her silver hair was coiled in a bun, her posture was elegant, and her face was wreathed in smiles.

Hearing herself called ’Frances, dear,’ Frances Bennett felt a rage she couldn’t vent.

Fiona Sinclair was indeed her elder, but that "dear" made her sound like an assistant, or someone to be looked down upon.

Usually, Fiona Sinclair would just call her Frances. The change today was most likely because of Serena Hughes.

She and Fiona Sinclair had already agreed on an alliance between their two families, but who could have expected Sharon Quincy to come and ruin everything?

It was only natural that Fiona Sinclair was angry.

"I’m here to meet someone." Of course, Frances Bennett didn’t dare admit she was here to "casually run into" Linden Nathan.

"Meet someone..." Fiona Sinclair glanced toward the booth and smiled knowingly. "Did you find them?"

’If it weren’t for you, I would have by now.’

Frances Bennett’s expression was grim.

From the moment Linden Nathan had agreed to see Fiona Sinclair but not her, Frances Bennett had been extremely displeased.

"Mrs. Bennett, are you here to see Mr. Nathan?" Serena Hughes stepped out, a mischievous smile on her face. "Mr. Hawthorne has already met with Mr. Nathan. I thought the Hawthorne Family would have invited him over as a guest!"

’Damian has already met Linden Nathan?’

’How did I not know that...?’

A flicker of joy ignited in Frances Bennett’s heart.

’As long as Damian has met him, this will be easy to resolve.’

’Damian gets along well with his young uncle. If they could set him up with Sharon Quincy, it might not be impossible.’

"Oh, I know. That’s why I came here today—to invite Mr. Nathan to the Hawthorne residence."

"Go to the Hawthorne residence? To discuss marriage plans?" Fiona Sinclair’s smile was tinged with schadenfreude. "I heard that the girl who came last time was named Sharon Quincy. She’s not Linden Nathan’s biological daughter—a goddaughter at best. You rejected our Serena for her. I wonder if you regret it now?"

"After all, she was a fake. No matter what you think of our Serena, at least she’s the real deal."

Every one of Fiona Sinclair’s mocking words was like a dagger in Frances Bennett’s ears.

Frances Bennett pressed her lips together tightly. Her chest felt like it had been stuffed with cotton, an utterly stifling sensation.

"Grandma, it’s not like Mrs. Bennett wanted this to happen." Serena Hughes quietly tugged on Fiona Sinclair’s sleeve, then looked at Frances Bennett. "Well, Mrs. Bennett, you go on and invite Mr. Nathan. We’ll keep waiting for our person here."

Frances Bennett glanced at the bodyguards out of the corner of her eye, and an idea sparked. "Forget it. I’ll leave it to our Damian. I don’t understand all that business stuff anyway."

With that, Frances Bennett politely sat down next to them. "As it happens, I’m waiting for someone too. Let’s wait together."

Fiona Sinclair’s expression soured.

Linden Nathan hadn’t told anyone that Selina Nathan was coming today. She had only found out after using a great deal of skill to inquire about it.

And this Frances Bennett was shamelessly staying right here.

Of course, Frances Bennett knew they were waiting for Selina Nathan.

Since she was also curious what the real Selina Nathan looked like, she decided to just stay put.

Just then, a "Welcome!" sounded from the entrance, and a young woman in sunglasses walked in gracefully.

The moment she saw her, Fiona Sinclair’s eyes lit up. She quickly grabbed her granddaughter’s arm. "Dear, that’s her."

Linden Nathan had said that Selina Nathan would be wearing sunglasses when she arrived.

The woman with the sunglasses had her hair in a ponytail and was dressed in casual clothes, carrying a canvas bag. Her look was simple yet chic.

"Is that her?" Serena Hughes studied her doubtfully.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman’s figure was somehow familiar.

Doubts aside, Serena Hughes stood up without a second thought and walked toward the woman in sunglasses.

"Miss... Miss Nathan, hello."

Serena Hughes extended a hand to the woman before her, her voice soft and her cheeks flushed.

This was the first time she had ever taken the initiative to befriend someone so wealthy.

She wondered if Selina Nathan would grant her this honor.

Serena Hughes’s outstretched hand was met with no response for a long moment.

Just as she was about to awkwardly withdraw her hand, Cecilia Nathan took off her sunglasses and teased, "Serena Hughes, did you take the wrong medicine or something?"

Hearing that voice, Serena Hughes jumped in fright.

Her eyes widened as she stared intently at Cecilia Nathan, her face turning pale then green.

’Cecilia Nathan?’

’What is she doing here?!’

Serena Hughes felt as if a hand were squeezing her throat, her eyes bulging like bells. "You—Cecilia Nathan?! What are you doing here!"