Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 46: You Shouldn’t Go to This Birthday Banquet
The heiress of the Nathan family had never appeared in the media or in person, and all sorts of rumors surrounded her.
Some said she was ugly, others that she was overweight. There were even rumors she was already dead. But the truth of the matter was anyone’s guess.
"If she’s ugly..." Frances Bennett also considered it carefully. "That is indeed a problem."
Although looks weren’t paramount in a marriage alliance, if she was too ugly, it would affect the appearance of future generations.
Frances thought of Cecilia Nathan.
Cecilia’s face and figure were both beautiful and perfect. With her fine physique, her children with Damian would surely be gorgeous.
Unfortunately, her family background was still a bit lacking.
Seeing Frances begin to contemplate this, Serena Hughes was inwardly delighted.
’I may not be able to compete with Cecilia, but there’s no way I can’t even beat that ugly girl from the Nathan family, right?’
She knew Frances considered not only background but also looks, as the Hawthorne family’s genes were all quite good, after all.
However, her delight was short-lived. Frances added, "All the more reason to invite her, then. We can see for ourselves what she looks like."
Serena’s heart sank with a THUD.
She hadn’t expected Frances to not give up on the idea.
If Frances disregarded looks and focused solely on family background, Serena definitely couldn’t compete with the Nathan family’s heiress.
Noticing her grim expression, Frances patted her on the shoulder. "Serena, your mother and I have known each other since we were children. Of course I’m on your side."
Serena forced a smile.
’If I didn’t know what kind of person Frances was before, I certainly do now.’
’Frances is the very definition of a snob.’
’It would be one thing if I had a powerful family background. But if I didn’t, and actually married Damian Hawthorne with my previous status, my life would probably be very difficult in the future.’
"Alright, I have some things to attend to, so I’ll be heading back. Make sure you come to the banquet all dressed up. As for Damian, I’ll be sure to ask him what’s going on, why he had such a sudden change of heart," Frances muttered in confusion.
Serena pressed her lips together and lowered her head, looking wronged.
She didn’t know why Damian’s attitude had changed so drastically either.
’No, I have to get that piano score.’
She had a feeling that as long as she obtained it, she would secure a place in Damian’s heart.
After parting ways with Serena, Frances glanced to the side and spotted Cecilia.
"Cecilia, wait a moment."
Cecilia hadn’t gone far; she was waiting for a car nearby.
Seeing Cecilia, Frances hurried over.
"Oh, Cecilia, I have something to tell you. Please don’t be angry with me," Frances began, her tone apologetic from the start.
Cecilia’s expression was indifferent. "What is it?"
"Last time, when I said you should come to the birthday banquet... that’s changed." Frances was still choosing her words carefully.
Before, she truly had intended to approve of Cecilia being with her son.
But now, the matriarch of the Hawthorne family had more options.
"Cecilia, we’ve changed the family dinner into a large birthday banquet. People from all walks of society will be there. I had originally intended to invite you to see the old man, but now..." Frances trailed off. "Your status... it would be a bit awkward for you to attend. For the sake of your reputation, how about you just... don’t come to this banquet?"
"Don’t worry, I’ll speak to Damian’s grandfather. Rest assured, I’ll come up with a good excuse for you."
After she finished speaking, even Frances felt deeply ashamed.
She admitted she was snobbish and pragmatic.
But whether it was Serena Hughes or the heiress of the Nathan family, both were more suitable attendees than Cecilia.
After all, Cecilia’s status was just too awkward.
Since Damian was to be part of a marriage alliance, he needed to be single right now.
In truth, there was something else she didn’t dare to say.
Cecilia used to be head over heels in love with Damian. Frances was afraid that if Cecilia saw Damian with someone else, she might do something rash and ruin his marriage prospects.
Given the circumstances, it was best if Cecilia didn’t attend.
Looking at Frances’s evasive gaze, how could Cecilia not understand?
’This birthday banquet probably isn’t just a birthday banquet. It’s a matchmaking party for Damian Hawthorne.’
A knowing smile touched Cecilia’s lips. "Alright. I happen to be busy that day anyway, so I won’t go."
Frances gratefully clasped her hand. "Thank you, Cecilia. Thank you for understanding me."
The corner of Cecilia’s mouth curled up. She gently pulled her hand back, then turned and left.
Cecilia had just gotten home and placed her violin on the table when her phone rang.
"Miss, the Hawthorne family sent you an invitation."
"An invitation?" Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "What does it say?"
"It says you are invited to a banquet."
Cecilia fell silent.
’A banquet... The only upcoming banquet the Hawthornes are having is the one for Damian’s grandfather’s birthday.’
"Miss, will you be attending?"
Cecilia was about to refuse, but then she thought about what Frances and Serena had said, and a playful smile appeared on her face.
"I’m going. Why wouldn’t I? I happen to be bored, so I’ll go have some fun."
’Who would have thought that after all that, I’d still have to attend this birthday banquet?’
「...」
"What did you say? She agreed?" The moment she heard the news, Frances shot up from her seat in excitement.
She was dressed in a silk cheongsam that accentuated her curvaceous figure. With a classic oval face, she exuded the air of a wealthy matriarch.
Right now, she couldn’t contain the smile on her face.
"I heard the Nathan family’s heiress is a foodie and very particular about her meals. Find a few good Michelin-starred chefs for the event, and do some digging to see what she likes to eat."
Speaking of which, Frances thought of Cecilia.
She had to admit, Cecilia’s cooking was in a class of its own.
No one who had ever eaten her food had anything but praise for it.
Any one of her signature dishes could be a restaurant’s main attraction.
At this thought, Frances suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
’Cecilia doesn’t have the right status to attend the banquet, but what if we gave her a role?’
"Go contact Cecilia," Frances said, her face wreathed in smiles. "Ask her if she’s willing to be a chef for the birthday banquet. We’ll pay her."
"Ma’am, I doubt Miss Cecilia will agree to come."
"Just go and ask first. If she doesn’t come, we’ll hire someone else. Remember to tell her that the kitchen doors will be closed, so no one will see her."
After saying this, Frances hung up the phone, satisfied.
At that moment, Cecilia was at a spa with her good friend, Chloe Sutton.
As she stepped out of a milk and flower petal bath, tiny, crystal-clear water droplets clung to Cecilia’s fair, long legs, accentuating her slender and delicate ankles.
Soon, a white bathrobe covered her calves.
Cecilia lay face down on a small bed, waiting for the technician to give her a massage.
Just then, Cecilia’s phone rang.
Cecilia glanced at the caller ID and pressed the answer button.
"Hello, Miss Cecilia Nathan. I’m President Bennett’s assistant."
Cecilia thought for a moment. Frances Bennett had always had an assistant, but the person rarely made an appearance.
Usually, when Frances sent her assistant, it meant she was about to make an unreasonable request.
"Miss Cecilia Nathan, are... are you still there?"
Hearing no reply, the assistant asked again in a hushed voice.
"Something else?" Cecilia’s cool tone made the assistant pause for a few seconds.
’Something else...’
’Of course there’s something else!’
The assistant forced himself to speak. "Miss Cecilia Nathan, we’re short a helping hand in the kitchen for the old master’s birthday banquet. We heard your cooking is excellent. Would it be possible for you to... come and help out?"
