Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 71: Not Just Anyone Can Come for a Free Meal
Grandma Fitzwilliam wore a beige embroidered traditional Chinese outfit today, paired with beige Chinese-style leather shoes. Elara’s eyes lit up when she saw her, "Grandma, you look so beautiful! You must be what they mean by ’celestial elegance’!"
Grandma Fitzwilliam couldn’t stop smiling at the compliment. People of her age love being praised, especially sincere compliments from someone like Elara.
She waved her hand with a laugh, "No, it’s not as exaggerated as you say. Our Elara is the one who’s truly beautiful, with her simple clothes that outshine those in high-fashion gowns a hundred times over!"
Elara was a bit embarrassed by the praise; she dared not compare herself to the ladies of high society. She understood her place well; she knew her limits.
From the start, she hadn’t planned on dressing extravagantly. What’s the point of dressing up? She didn’t need anyone’s praise or flattery.
She was always clear about her position. It was only thanks to Grandma Fitzwilliam that she had the opportunity to attend such high-level events. Without Grandma Fitzwilliam, she was nothing.
Grandma Fitzwilliam loved her for her straightforward and genuine nature; the more she looked at her, the more satisfied she became, thinking that if she had children in the future, Elara would be the one to care for them. The children raised by Elara would surely resemble her, and a nanny couldn’t compare to Elara’s nurturing.
But she couldn’t let Elara get too tired; she had her job, after all... Perhaps she could have her care for the children for two hours every evening, and on weekends her not-so-promising grandson could accompany them...
Elara had no idea that within such a short time, Grandma Fitzwilliam had already planned out her great-grandchildren’s education. She opened the taxi door, helped Grandma Fitzwilliam into the car, then walked to the other side to get in.
She said to the driver, "Please, take us to The Grandcrest Hotel."
The driver glanced at Grandma Fitzwilliam.
Grandma Fitzwilliam was annoyed by the driver’s lack of awareness, glaring and saying, "Didn’t you hear? To The Grandcrest Hotel!"
The taxi was arranged by Zion Fitzwilliam in advance, and the driver was naturally brought over by the family.
Yet even now, he still didn’t recognize the family’s young mistress.
Grandma Fitzwilliam secretly planned to give these servants a proper lesson. If they couldn’t recognize their own young mistress, even when she’s spoken, then what else would they miss? Elara didn’t know this now, but what if she assumed things later on?
She wouldn’t let Elara suffer even a bit of grievance.
They soon arrived at The Grandcrest Hotel.
The Grandcrest Hotel wasn’t top-tier within Northgarde, just a standard hotel and naturally couldn’t compare to those high-end five-star hotels.
This suited The Warner Family’s public image—they always operated in such a low-key and straightforward manner.
Though the hotel was low-key, the luxurious cars parked outside were anything but; all of Northgarde’s prominent figures had come to celebrate Elder Warner’s birthday.
Elara getting out of a taxi seemed quite shabby.
Not far away, Rosalind held Haylie Sommers’ hand. Upon seeing Elara, she frowned tightly and muttered displeasedly, "Why is she everywhere? Is she sick, thinking she can catch a wealthy husband with her status?"
Haylie also saw Elara, chuckling disdainfully and advising her friend, "Her, get an invitation? I bet she’s just hanging around the entrance to snap some photos, post them, and pretend to flaunt. Maybe she’ll even attract a couple of insignificant men."
Rosalind laughed in response, both dressed as fairies today, stunning and radiant, yet their eyes were full of malice.
Elara wasn’t aware of this; she helped Grandma Fitzwilliam inside. A red carpet covered the entire road from the street to the hotel entrance, masking the uneven pavement. Elara was careful to prevent Grandma Fitzwilliam from stumbling, constantly watching the ground and cautioning her about any protrusions.
They quickly reached the entrance.
Zayne Warner and his father, Walter Warner, stood at the doorway welcoming guests. Elara originally didn’t want to bother Zayne here, but to her surprise, Zayne spotted her and immediately frowned, saying unpleasantly, "Hale, this event is for my grandfather’s birthday, not a place for you. Please leave immediately!"
Elara froze, looking at Zayne, "Senior Warner, we..."
The words "have an invitation" hadn’t yet left her mouth when Zayne cut her off with irritation, "What do you mean, ’we’? I’ve already rejected your collaboration, and my stance was clear, wasn’t it? If you keep being so unperceptive, I’ll only grow more disgusted with you!"
"You’re not welcome here. Please leave immediately, or I’ll have to call security!"
Elara was momentarily at a loss; she was merely accompanying Grandma Fitzwilliam and didn’t want to delay her because of personal issues, so she planned to tell her and leave, allowing Grandma Fitzwilliam to proceed.
Grandma Fitzwilliam was furious. She had heard from her grandson about Elara being troubled by this Warner child, but hadn’t expected him to be so brazen as to stomp on her precious granddaughter-in-law.
How could this be tolerated?
Before Elara could speak, Grandma Fitzwilliam spoke first, handing over the invitation, displeased, "Doesn’t each invitation allow for one guest? Why, can’t this invitation include her?"
Zayne glanced at Grandma Fitzwilliam; though he had personally invited The Fitzwilliam Matriarch over the phone, he never had the privilege to meet her. Even the phone call was answered by a household servant, and acceptance of the invitation was communicated through the servant.
Thus, he merely felt Grandma Fitzwilliam seemed noble without realizing her identity.
He maintained a cold demeanor and said, "I’m sorry, while one invitation typically allows for one guest, not everyone is permitted to attend our event. Miss Hale, for instance, falls outside our acceptance. If you insist on bringing her, then I must ask you both to leave."
Grandma Fitzwilliam heard this, fumes of anger rising. First, he drove away her dear granddaughter-in-law, and now, even herself?
What does The Warner Family think they are, daring to speak to her this way?
Initially, she hadn’t been so angry, but seeing her dear granddaughter-in-law’s flustered reaction to Zayne’s comments, she suddenly steeled her expression. She didn’t desire to attend this lousy event anyway; she hoped The Warner Family wouldn’t regret it!
"Since that’s the case, then we..."
Grandma Fitzwilliam coldly prepared to leave with biting words when Walter suddenly spoke up, "May I see your invitation?"
Grandma Fitzwilliam tossed it over casually and pulled Elara along.
"Take back your worthless thing!"
She had barely taken a few steps when Walter, face drastically changing, chased after them with the invitation, begging, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, we didn’t realize who you were! My apologies, F...!"
Before he could finish, Grandma Fitzwilliam shot a glare that told him she didn’t want her identity revealed.
Hurriedly, he amended his words, "Madam, it was a misstep on our part. Please don’t hold it against us; the doors to the event are always open to you."
Zayne stared at his father, puzzled as to why he was so courteous to them.
Grandma Fitzwilliam initially wanted to leave but remembered her grandson’s instructions. Her purpose today was to show all of high society that Elara was under the protection of the Fitzwilliam Family. After some hesitation, she decided to take the graceful exit offered.
She glanced at Walter, expressing dissatisfaction with a snort, and then, under Walter’s anxious gaze, led Elara into the hotel.
Zayne was bewildered, asking his father, "Dad, why let them in? Our family isn’t a charity; why should we let just anyone come to mooch meals?"
Walter angrily smacked him on the head with the invitation, frustratedly scolding, "It’s an honor for you if she comes to mooch your food! You fool, you almost ruined everything today! Look closely at the invitation!"
