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Chapter 269
Chapter 269
Madeline was about to say more when suddenly Cordelia interrupted, "Aunt, what gift did you prepare for Grandpa? Need me to help you carry it upstairs?"
That single question was enough to shut Madeline up.
With an awkward smile, she mumbled, "Oh, just a little something, ha, ha... Let me check if there's anything else I can help with on Aunt Susan's side."
Saying so, she quickly made her escape, fearing further questions from Cordelia.
Meanwhile, Rosina approached Juliana, trying to win her favor, "Juliana, Hanley is really something, isn't he? Forget everything else, just based on looks alone, he's got to be one of the top catches in Greenmeadow, right?"
After making her point, she glanced at Cordelia and added, "Look at Cordelia, even if she's prettier, so what?"
Juliana's face stiffened upon hearing this.
Rosina, oblivious to the tension, continued, "And her boyfriend, definitely not as dashing as your fiancé!"
Juliana's expression darkened further.
Initially, everyone was curious about the so-called campus heartthrob, and when a blurry side-profile photo of him was leaked online, it became an instant sensation, with many claiming he was more handsome than celebrities!
Hanley was indeed handsome and sunny, but compared to that guy, he seemed lacking.
Rosina, unaware that her flattery was hitting the wrong notes, went on, "And that troublemaker, running Midnight Scent? He's nowhere as scholarly as Hanley, who's even attending the Autumn Gold Academic Bootcamp! When the national math competition results come out, he's sure to be in the top sixty!"
Juliana felt somewhat appeased, thinking that Rosina had finally made a valid point.
After all, no matter how good-looking that guy was, could he match Hanley's capabilities?
But at that moment, Hanley's expression darkened.
These people might be unaware, but Hanley, about to attend the Autumn Gold Academic Bootcamp, knew very well that Everard was the prodigy who won the International Math Olympiad gold medal at thirteen.
Rosina's words felt like a mockery to him!
And Juliana, she didn't even object, allowing her to go on like this...
Suddenly, Hanley felt disgusted, a wave of irritation washing over him, especially as people kept praising him, saying Juliana was lucky, and Cordelia had missed out on him...
He finally spoke up, "Don't talk behind people's backs or demean others."
With those words, he walked away, leaving Rosina and Juliana standing there, their faces flushed with embarrassment.
Juliana was taken aback, not expecting Hanley to put her in such an awkward position publicly. Her face turned sour.
Rosina, however, exclaimed, "Wow, Hanley is truly a gentleman, definitely a great guy!"
Juliana: '
Just then, the entrance buzzed with activity.
Everyone looked over to see Abbey walking in, with Rachel by her side, smiling ingratiatingly. She loudly greeted, "Juliana!"
Juliana immediately knew the newcomer was someone of importance. She hurried over and heard Rachel say, "This is Ms. Robinson, please take care of her!"
Ms. Robinson... That's Bill's sister!
If she could get on Ms. Robinson's good side, it would surely elevate the Foster family's status. So, Juliana smiled brightly, "Ms. Robinson, welcome to our home. Let me show you around, shall we?"
Abbey, known for her capriciousness and pride, had her reputation precede her at Mrs. Collins's party.
Hayley was sent away because she had offended Abbey.
Thus, Juliana had thought Abbey wouldn't think much of her.
But remembering Juliana was Cordelia's sister, Abbey, though finding her quite less impressive and somewhat lacking in presence, gave her a kind smile.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
This smile left Juliana pleasantly surprised, "Ms. Robinson, would you like something to eat? Let me get you some snacks!"
Abbey nodded, "Sure."
Juliana led Abbey to the dessert table where Abbey casually had a couple of cakes, while Juliana racked her brain for interesting topics to engage her. Abbey responded with polite smiles.
The two seemed quite harmonious.
From a distance, Rachel watched them with a satisfied smile.
Meanwhile, Hanley's parents, along with Hanley, joined Rachel, observing Juliana and Abbey mingling. They then glanced at Cordelia, who was sitting on a couch, engrossed in her phone, seemingly oblivious to the social gathering around her.
Belinda couldn't help but scoff, remarking to Hanley, "See? What good is Cordelia? She lacks social grace! Marriage alliances are about forging family ties. If you were with her, aside from the Delaney family's limited connections, she's not even presentable. She lacks generosity, quite the small-timer. Juliana, at least, knows how to navigate social circles as a lady!"
Hanley felt even more annoyed.
To him, while Juliana's attempts at pleasing were commendable, they seemed a bit too ingratiating.
Cordelia stood her ground, unfazed. He remembered his time in Ontoky City, where she'd rubbed shoulders with the likes of Frankie, a mathematical genius.
He frowned.
Belinda didn't stop with just telling
Hanley; she went on to boast to
Rachel, "Your kid is something else, truly cultured. She can handle Mrs Robinson, who's notoriously difficult. Not like some of the kids from orphanages, with such poor social skills..."
Rachel's laughter filled the air, her head held high in pride, "My Juliana is different, you can't even compare... She's been raised under our watchful eyes."
Belinda nodded, "I'm so glad we switched the engagement to your family."
Rachel beamed even brighter.
Ever since the Smith family got scammed by a fake Calvert and lost their money, the Fosters had been rather cold towards Rachel. But today, at the banquet, their attitude thawed significantly after Juliana struck up a conversation with Abbey.
Rachel saw this shift and, far from finding the Fosters opportunistic, felt a hidden sense of triumph.
After parting ways with Belinda,
Rachel approached Lorna and Cordelia, and in a lecturing tone, remarked, "Sister-in-law, no offense, but look at Lia, always on her phone. How unbecoming! Not at all like our Juliana, who could even impress MPs. Robinson."
Just then, Juliana and Abbey walked over.