Sensible Daughter

"You should have invited that Daniel today," expressed Ellie, clinging on to Emma's arm. "Although I don't like him, he makes good accessory I must admit."

"Why? Do you feel wronged to accompany me?" Emma retorted, handing over the invitation card to the guard for inspection. "Am I holding you back from finding your pretty boys?"

Before Ellie could clarify, Vanessa's voice interrupted them as she rushed over.

"Emma, you're here," Vanessa called out.

"My Dad and I have been waiting for more than an hour. You weren't receiving the call, and they wouldn't allow us in."

It brought her cold sense of satisfaction to seeing Vanessa's desparation. Although she was angry from the insult, she could only swallow it down and speak to Emma docilely.

Ellie rolled her eyes on the side.

"I must have had my phone on mute," Emma lightly responded. "I am glad you waited."

Mr. Liu, Vanessa's father, stepped forward.

"Emma, dear, you should be more mindful. This was your responsibility, and you didn't even notice we were waiting. That's rather careless, don't you think?"

Marcus Liu.

Emma had another set of grudge to settle with him. Couple years ago, no one would have known who he was, but now, he clawed his way to prominence due to the help he received from her mother.

It disgusted her to learn in her last life how he plotted with her mother to steal the fortunes of her father. Both of them shared a rich love story as well.

Emma truly did not understand how her mother chose this pompous bastard over her father.

"Mr. Liu, I don't think you are qualified to call me so affectionately." Emma's voice was glacial and sharp.

Vanessa's smile froze.

"Vanessa begged. Therefore, I was going to be kind enough to allow you in. After all, a family like yours isn't worth being acknowledged by Uncle Gu."

Ellie raised her chin. "Exactly."

Marcus's practiced smile faltered. The stiffness in his expression betrayed his inner fury.

"Emma," Vanessa said quickly, trying to salvage the situation with her sugary voice.

"My Dad is an older generation after all. Don't mind his words. He was just flustered about having to wait for so long."

Ellie scoffed audibly. "He should have left if he felt this embarrased."

Emma didn't respond. She simply turned to the guard and nodded. "Let them in."

Inside the lavishly decorated banquet hall, the soft hum of classical music played along with the murmur of shared conversations. The chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, casting a warm glow over fancy gowns and finely tailored suits.

When they walked into the banquet hall, Emma's gaze quickly found her father. He was conversing with James Gu, Head of the Gu Family.

As they strode over to them, Vanessa's voice piped behind. "Emma, my dad wants to meet Mr. Gu-"

But both of them were far away from Emma's hearing, and all their frustations were palpable in the air as they trailed behind.

Her father, Charles Lin, was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the country- his name known not just within national borders but also across international circles as well. Therefore, Emma's presence itself attracted a lot of eyes, sweeping the crowd subtly in a moment of silence.

When in her prime, Emma was a top socialite with every little thing about her setting a trend. But once all of that diminished, her every gestures from before was torn apart and criticized.

Maybe because she had been exposed to scorn for a long period of time, now the attention from everyone brought discomfort to her.

No matter how much she held her chin up, from the insides, she no longer had the spirits of the arrogant Princess who dominated the wealthy circle. She was broken from inside, never to return to her original state like a mirror.

If it wasn't for the sake of revenge, Emma didn't think she would be able to keep standing until now.

Charles noticed his daughter's presence.

"You girls are finally here," commented Charles heartily. "I thought it would take forever for you to get ready."

"Uncle Lin, you can't hold me responsible this time," Ellie spoke out cheerily. "It was your daughter who took her sweet time."

"Uncle Gu," Emma greeted politely.

"Uncle Gu," chirped Ellie from beside her.

"My dad felt regretful about not being able to come. He sent me here to deliver the gift. Apparently, he had another one of his anniversaries with my mom."

James Gu shook his head.

"That father of yours is always setting up flames in my house," James voiced out, "My wife always thinks I should follow his example and be more romantic. Who has so much time to waste like him?"

"Uncle Gu, it is important for a couple to be harmonious and loving for family to work well," Emma pointed out.

"Charles, your daughter is pretty and speaks well. If my son wasn't so incompetent, I would have surely set her up with him," James said with regret in his voice.

Emma's dad shook his head. "You don't know how troublesome this daughter of mine is. She has taken fancy to this guy from her classes and is adamant on him."

Vanessa then budged into the conversation by pulling on to Emma's skirt. Her soft voice followed. "Emma, my dad wants to talk to Mr. Gu. Could you please...?"

Emma took a step back, revealing Vanessa and her father.

"Uncle Gu, this is my friend, Vanessa, and this is her dad. They wished to talk to you," Emma introduced.

Marcus Liu stepped forward and enthusiastically greeted, "Mr. Gu, I have admired you for a long time. This time, I hope I could discuss cooperation with you."

As the conversation between Marcus and James carried on, Charles said, "Go and find your peers to play. You will find the adult conversation boring."

Ellie pulled her hand. "Come on, Emma. I heard the pastry chef hired for this banquet is a renowned chef from Paris."

"Stand straight," Emma chided, "Dad, both of us are old enough. Let us listen to the business affairs, alright?"

Ellie made a wronged face.

"Emma, why are you suddenly interested in business?" Vanessa quietly asked. "Everyone is waiting for you to have fun. You're the light of the party after all."

Hugging her friend closer, Ellie stated, "My friend can stay here and listen if she wants to. If you wish to play, go and do so."

James smiled at Emma and asked, "Are you interested in business?"

Emma nodded. "It's about time I grow up and share my dad's burden."

James laughed and expressed, "You have a sensible daughter, Charles. If only my second son grew this understanding. That bastard, I don't know what to do about him."

"Are you badmouthing me again, Dad?"