CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: ELEANOR WINSLOW: I DON’T WANT TO SHOW YOU

"I don’t want to show you."

Eleanor Winslow hid her hand behind her back, her bright almond-shaped eyes hinting at a teenager’s stubbornness.

"Even if I showed you, it wouldn’t help."

— It can’t heal my wound.

— It can’t offset the harm you’ve caused me.

Guests around glanced at one another.

Suddenly, a lady chuckled, "Mia, I asked you just now if you were together with the young master of the Grant Family, why did you say yes?"

Isn’t that deceiving?

"Really? You heard wrong, I just happened to bump into Adrian and came in together." Mia Winslow’s complexion was extremely unpleasant, her smile barely hanging on.

Mia had arrived early, deliberately waiting at the door to enter with Adrian Grant, naturally leading others to believe they came together and aimed to make the outside world think she and Adrian were close.

But to her surprise, Eleanor asked so blatantly and even more surprising that Adrian would answer directly!

The others didn’t say a word, but their eyes on Mia Winslow carried a deeper meaning.

No matter what means Eleanor used to rise to her position, she was recognized by the Grant Family as the honorable Mrs. Grant, how were Mia’s petty tactics any different from those outside who dream of climbing into a wealthy husband’s bed?

Suddenly, a pleasant male voice came through, "My second sister and my brother-in-law have a great relationship! I wonder who’s spreading these rumors!"

Mia Winslow saw Jude Winslow appear out of nowhere, angrily wanting to curse but forced herself to hold back.

Eleanor glanced at Jude Winslow in surprise, who arrogantly lifted his chin at her with a look of ’no need to thank me’.

Eleanor: ...

No, where did you see that Adrian and I are getting along well?

Adrian Grant glanced at Jude Winslow but did not refute him, his gaze seemingly falling back onto Eleanor.

"Jude, why are you here?" Mia tried to make this fellow feel unwelcome, "Didn’t dad hire a tutor for you? Shouldn’t you be attending English class now?"

Jude Winslow, with his newly dyed gray hair, ruffled his hair and said, "Can’t understand that bird language, better to come watch you guys film stuff."

Mia Winslow tried to be a gentle sister, advising, "Jude, in a few years you’ll need to work, you have to study hard."

Jude Winslow gave Mia a look of ’what’s on your mind?’

"Our family is so wealthy, why should I work? There are so many playboys in the world, why not have another one? Can I afford a meal working for a month? In our family business? Ask our dad if he dares let me go, isn’t he afraid I’ll mess things up?"

Mia Winslow: "..."

Eleanor: "..."

Eleanor always knew this stepbrother was a hopeless case, but didn’t expect he had such a self-aware nature that screamed incompetence!

Even incompetents invite external support; Jude Winslow looked at Adrian Grant, confidently asking, "Brother-in-law, isn’t that right?"

Adrian Grant unexpectedly nodded, showing approval.

He genuinely approved.

The Grant family was huge, among his cousins there were over a dozen, and eight out of ten were merely spendthrifts; Adrian’s only requirement for them was:

Spend quietly and don’t cause trouble!

Mia was furious with Jude’s ’brother-in-law’ comment, almost losing her composure, then turned to Eleanor in concern, "Eleanor, your wound hasn’t healed, it’s better to go out less, wouldn’t it be bad if you accidentally got hurt again."

In Mia’s view, Eleanor should not have appeared today!

Blake Lockwood almost cursed, whose fault was Eleanor’s injury?

A cold smile flashed across her eyes, suddenly she said, "Mia, your dress seems to match Eleanor’s style?"

The people around were previously drawn by Eleanor’s party’s speech and behavior, plus the moon white wasn’t eye-catching, and the jewelry worn by Eleanor and Mia was completely different so they hadn’t noticed. Reminded by Blake, they found it really identical!

Why does it seem like Eleanor looks better in it, though?

Indeed, matching dresses aren’t scary; it’s who looks ugly that’s embarrassing!

"Indeed, what a coincidence." Mia realized too, she’d been focusing on Adrian Grant before.

"It’s hardly a coincidence. Eleanor’s outfit here is my 1998 vintage haute couture collection, only 5 sets exist globally, besides the one I have, I know the owners of the other 4, yours—" Blake Lockwood laughed suddenly, "Dare I ask, where’s it from?"

Mia’s face looked unprecedentedly grim, feigning calmness, "Miss Lockwood, what do you mean by that?"

"Don’t understand? Vintage haute couture can be traced, what exactly is this you have?"

The guests then looked closely, realized indeed Eleanor’s dress had better fabric gloss, more dynamic folds, and the combination of pearls and diamonds complemented each other. While Mia’s somewhat appeared as an imitation.

"This dress was borrowed from my agent, I’m not too clear about its origin." Mia was a bit flustered.

The dress was indeed a vintage haute couture imitation she bought, although a copy it cost quite a lot, the seller clearly said no traces of forgery would be seen!

"The entertainment industry clearly learns the art of shirking responsibility exceptionally well!" Blake implied, "Mia, mind yourself, stop being idle and fixated on others!"

Blake Lockwood intended to disgrace Mia!

The auction announcement echoed within the venue.

Blake Lockwood and Eleanor sat down, unwilling to even glance at Mia.

Mia was about to cry from anger, not daring to look at others’ reactions, nor Adrian, only felt her dignity lost, wanting to immediately tear off the outfit but had no spare options.

She most disliked dealing with Blake Lockwood!

Mia both envied and despised Blake.

Envious of Blake having parents who love her unconditionally, despite being a mere girl she hadn’t seen her parents try for a son, still giving her the audacity and confidence to be bossy and arrogant.

Despising her for her spoiled and capricious ways, lacking any socialite’s etiquette and grace, not fitting in with them.

"Big sister, our seats are over there." Jude pointed right, then upon turning, saw Adrian’s seat happened to be between Eleanor and Mia.

Mia was about to be happy about being near Adrian, Jude had already sat in her seat, and turning told Mia, "Sister, I want to sit with brother-in-law!"

Mia: "..." Really wanting to curse!