The way she dressed had embarrassed the Jackson Family.
Unfazed by the crowd’s gazes, Janet briskly walked into the banquet hall. With both hands slid into her pockets, she impassively looked at the guests in the hall, who were all extremely unfamiliar to her.
More and more guests appeared at the entrance of the banquet.
“Janet.” Grandma Jade’s voice was abruptly heard in the hall.
Janet marched up to her and greeted, “Grandma.”
Grandma Jade held her hand and uttered with a grin, “Janet, today is your 18th birthday. I’ve prepared a present for you.” After saying that, her loving gaze landed on Janet and appraised her granddaughter from head to toe before shaking her head in dissatisfaction.
“This is not an appropriate outfit. Come with me.” She thought, How could the genuine granddaughter of the Jackson Family lose to someone else? On top of that, the star of this birthday banquet is older than the star of the celebration banquet, so how could Janet be overshadowed by someone else?
Therefore, Grandma Jade brought her granddaughter to the changing room backstage and handed the gift box on the table to Janet before ordering in such a stern tone, “Janet, you have to wear this gown.” It was in those rare moments that she addressed Janet in that manner.
Janet was rendered speechless as she looked at the gift box. If she intended to be in the spotlight, she would have worn that red gown instead. “Grandma, there’s no need for that. I’m not used to wearing a gown.” She pushed the gift box back to her.
Upon hearing that, Grandma Jade’s expression was a little strange and she uttered in displeasure, “Janet, you are so disobedient. You are unwilling to even wear a gown for me to see.” As she spoke, she even deliberately turned to the side, pretending to be upset.
Janet lowered her eyes. Although she knew that Grandma Jade feigned unhappiness, it was difficult to see her grandmother being upset. “Fine. I’ll try it.” After she said that, she took the gift box in her hand.
Upon hearing that, Grandma Jade wore an excited expression as she smiled before saying, “Okay, quickly head in.” She then pushed Janet into the changing room.
Janet didn’t know how to reply. A few seconds later, she pouted and resignedly took the gift box into the changing room.
………
At the banquet hall outside, Emily was the recipient of many gazes as the banquet hall became noisier.
Chloe, Aunt Shirley’s daughter, approached Emily and chuckled. “Emily, why didn’t your mother prepare a gown for your sister?”
She had disliked Janet ever since she lost to the latter during Old Mr. Collins’ discipleship ceremony, but she had also lost to Emily and came in final place.
Chloe deliberately spoke aloud, intending to inform everyone that the Jackson Family did not value Janet as they never provided her with a gown, which explained why she appeared in plain clothes.
Emily covered her mouth before smiling elegantly. “Chloe, don’t say things like that. Our family loves her.”
Chloe was slightly stunned by her words. “Tsk, she purposely refused to wear a gown that was prepared for her. As her sister, does this mean that your celebration party is unimportant to her?”
“You shouldn’t criticize her like this. She is merely not used to wearing a gown.” Emily intentionally feigned kindness and understanding.
Although she did not speak in a loud voice, the guests, who were around her, clearly heard what she said and it immediately caused them to discuss among themselves.
“Tsk, Emily is protective of Janet, but Janet’s unwilling to protect her reputation.”
“I agree with you. I wouldn’t have attended this banquet if it wasn’t specifically held to celebrate Emily becoming the successor of the Royal Academy of Music in Yobril.”
“Janet is too narrow-minded! She doesn’t need to do such a thing even if she’s jealous of Emily.”
“I thought that the Jackson Family would value Janet, but it turns out that they didn’t even prepare a gown for her.”
“It would have been better not to adopt a girl like Janet into the Jackson Family since she is such an embarrassment.”
“But, isn’t Janet Master Nato? She should be able to afford her own gown then.”
