MasukNathan watched her thoughtfully.
The sister immediately demanded to see an even more expensive model. “Otherwise we’ll lose face! No way her dowry outshines yours!”
Piper’s mood plummeted.
She was irritated but couldn’t explode.
“Piper, call your mom and see if the budget can be higher,” the sister urged. “At around a hundred thousand, you can’t get anything impressive. Nathan’s current car already cost mo
In the office.Javi noticed the gloom in Mr. Sterling’s expression but didn’t know what had happened.After a long pause, Tiesto said evenly, “That’s enough. It’s time for Jayden Hart to go bankrupt.”Javi nodded. “Understood.”He had already heard about the banquet.The version circulating praised Ella’s intelligence and sharpness.But Javi knew that Mr. Sterling felt only heartache—and regret.Regret that he hadn’t been there to help her back then.Mr. Sterling had always been indifferent toward the Hart family.But since Nora had done such things, the consequences waiting for her would not be pleasant.…After providing Keke with a few photos, Piper had been waiting for news.She had heard Keke planned to use them to cause trouble for Ella—but she didn’t know how. Keke hadn’t replied to her messages.While driving, Piper recei
Back inside the banquet hall, the tension finally eased.Only Christine’s expression remained dark.She had intended to humiliate Ella at an important event, to plant seeds of doubt in the Sterling family.Instead, Ella had earned unanimous admiration.Keke’s face was deathly pale. She stammered, “I—I… When I found the photos, I didn’t know the truth… I didn’t mean to…”“Not meaning to,” Caleb said icily, “is your excuse for using misleading photos to defame someone?”“I really didn’t mean to… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Keke didn’t even dare look at Tiesto.She knew how terrifying he could be when angered.“Mr. Sterling, Miss Hart, I truly didn’t mean to…”She grabbed Christine’s hand in panic. “Christine, help me! You said Ella had a bad reputation—that&rsqu
Seeing that Tiesto was allowing Ella to handle things herself, Caleb and Orlando suppressed their own urge to step in.At that moment, every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on Ella.There was doubt. Curiosity. Speculation.Everyone wanted to know what kind of woman this newly married Mrs. Sterling truly was.Ella stepped forward.She moved with effortless grace—tall, slender, poised. Every gesture drew attention.Soon, she stopped in front of the first man.He was thin, in his early thirties. As she approached, he flashed a grin, revealing smoke-stained yellow teeth. “Long time no see, Miss Hart.”“Mr. Pako,” Ella said evenly, “when my adoptive mother invited you to the Hart family banquet and asked me to drink with you, do you remember where we drank—and how?”She enunciated every word clearly.Christine’s eyes lit up.So Ella really had accompanied men to drink?
At the announcement, everyone turned toward the entrance.Old Master Willow stepped in, energetic as ever, dressed in a well-tailored suit that made him look sharp and dignified.Guests hurried to greet him.Smiling, Old Master Willow walked in.Christine immediately ran over. “Grandpa Willow!”“Christine, you’re here?” he said with a smile.“Yes, Grandpa Willow. Since today is such an important occasion, why don’t I stay by your side?”“Then let me introduce Ella to you. Ella, come here,” he called.Ella walked over from the side.Heads turned instinctively toward her.She wore a beautifully tailored evening gown, elegant and poised. Her lively smile radiated warmth and charm, making it difficult for anyone to look away.“Grandpa Willow!” she greeted him.Christine hadn’t expected Ella to already be acquainted with Old Master Willow.O
Piper froze.Every time she’d seen Caleb, he was dressed in sporty casual clothes. She had never seen him in a suit or dress shirt. She’d assumed he…She looked up at the building.It was the headquarters of Calyx Robotics—currently one of the hottest companies in the tech market.Caleb worked here?“Caleb, let’s go,” Ella said, stepping forward to follow him upstairs with the assistant.Piper’s eyes widened.Nora stared blankly at Caleb’s retreating figure.As they walked, Caleb asked quietly, “They didn’t give you a hard time, did they?”“No. They were practically falling over themselves to flatter me,” Ella said. “Ever since they found out about Mom and Dad’s status, Piper has been trying every trick to get close to us. I’m just afraid the harder she tries, the more it will hurt Mom and Dad.”“It won’t,” C
Lucas opened the card and wrote smoothly inside:“Wishing you many happy and healthy years ahead.”His handwriting was bold and confident, each letter steady and elegant.Old Master Willow nodded approvingly.“Still as strong as ever.”Then he turned to Ella.“Would you like to sign it too?”“A little,” she said modestly.“Go ahead,” Lucas said, pleasantly surprised. He hadn’t even known she had such neat handwriting.Ella took the pen and wrote beneath his message:“With warmest wishes and many joyful years to come.”Her handwriting didn’t carry Lucas’s powerful strength, but it had a graceful elegance—refined and delicate.Lora couldn’t help praising her.“When did you learn to write like that? We had no idea.”“I just write casually
That evening, Ella returned to her parents’ residential complex in the Eve Gardens neighborhood.Just as she arrived, her father, Lucas, was getting off work. His face softened when he saw her. “Why did you buy so many things?”“I got a bonus from work. Thought I’d bring something home to share.”H
Javi couldn’t step in even if he wanted to.He forced a dry laugh.Across the room, Tiesto’s smile never quite reached his eyes. “What did you say her name was?”“Ella.”“And you know her situation?”“Of course I do. She said she doesn’t have a boyfriend.” Kilian grinned. “Isn’t that basically wait
That evening at dinner, Ella mentioned to her parents that her brother had bought her a car.She’d hoped they would persuade him not to.She’d tried all day. He wouldn’t budge.Instead, Lucas clapped Daniel on the shoulder.“Taking care of your sister—that’s what a good brother does. You earned the
The event coordinator’s smile cooled several degrees. “And which floor are you ladies headed to?”“The second floor,” Nora replied confidently.She assumed Ella could at most be going to the second floor as well. The claim about the penthouse had to be pure bluff.“In that case, please wait for the







