Chapter 029: Gaining No Advantage

Since when had Sera become so difficult for even her own mother to read?

As Xenia searched her memory, she couldn't pinpoint a specific time. It felt as if it had happened imperceptibly.

Though Sera was a favored daughter of a prestigious family, raised amidst the adoration of her elders, she had never developed a spoiled or arrogant temperament. On the contrary, her maturity and sensibility had always been Xenia's greatest pride.

Even so, Sera’s nature had always been simple; her eyes were perpetually clear, and her smile was always bright yet dignified.

The current Sera still smiled with brightness and dignity, and her eyes remained clear, but Xenia felt that something was fundamentally different.

Had something truly happened that they were unaware of? Without a major upheaval, it was impossible for a person to undergo such a significant change. And yet, she hadn't breathed a word of it.

Xenia didn't intend to probe too deeply. She knew Seraphina well enough to know that if she didn't want to speak, no amount of questioning would yield an answer. Investigating her would only create a rift. It simply wasn't necessary.

She was just worried about her daughter. That was all.

Xenia withdrew her gaze, suppressing her complex emotions for the moment, and asked Sylvia, "So, how long will it take to prepare your fashion show? I want to see if I’ll have any work then. If I do, I’ll adjust my schedule to clear some time to support you."

Support me?

Sylvia felt a surge of disdain. As expected, she had been overthinking. Xenia was so foolish; how could someone who had been led around by the nose for so many years suddenly change her attitude without reason? That day at the gates must have just been Xenia showing favoritism toward her own children, which led her to speak so mercilessly.

Being foolish was good! It made things much easier for them.

"The date hasn't been finalized yet, but I think if the studio setup goes smoothly, we should be able to hold the fashion show within a month. I prepared all the pieces for the show before returning; I’m just waiting to finish the preparatory work."

Upon hearing this timeline, Seraphina felt amused.

Wouldn't that be roughly the same time as the show Zoey was preparing?

If she leaked a little information or had Zoey spend some money on promotion, Sylvia wouldn't be able to sit still given her personality. Sylvia could never stand to see others doing better than her; even if there were only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of it, she wouldn't allow someone else to steal the spotlight before her own show.

Thus, Sylvia would try to rush her show to happen before Zoey's.

If Sylvia learned that Zoey’s studio had been performing poorly and lacked a top-tier designer, she might even choose to hold her show on the same day to trample over Zoey and climb higher. Zoey's designs were average, but she came from a powerful family. As the daughter of the Westons, she was a living brand.

Climbing over the daughter of the Weston family during a show would make Sylvia’s name ring out even louder in Sea City.

Of course, that was based on the assumption that Seraphina hadn't given Zoey those design drafts. She knew exactly what the caliber of her designs was. If they truly went head-to-head, Sylvia wouldn't stand a chance at coming out on top!

"Then remember to tell me once the date is set. I’ll try to keep my schedule clear so the dates don't clash. I'll be there to support you, and I wish you a successful show in advance."

"Thank you, Sister-in-law."

After thanking Xenia, Sylvia glanced at Mia Lu, who was still standing in the living room. Her eyes flickered, and she turned to Seraphina. "Seraphina, you know more people in Sea City. I’m afraid I’ll need some help for my studio; could you introduce a few people to me? They don't need to be experts, just reliable people with a bit of a sense for fashion."

"You’re asking me to introduce people to you? Are you serious?" Seraphina slowly set down her glass of milk and looked up slightly. Her face wore a dignified and polite smile, yet it carried a hint of amusement.

Sylvia was startled. As she suspected, there was something off about Seraphina!

She was nothing like the reports said. That "refined and dignified young lady" talk was all empty praise from others. This girl had a strange temper! And she clearly held a grudge!

"Yes. I’ve been abroad for many years and don't know as many people in Sea City as you. I also saw how well you found assistants for Sister-in-law and thought I’d ask for your help. If it’s too much trouble, I’ll find another way."

"You should find another way, then. It really is quite a lot of trouble for me."

Mia: "..."

Is she always this direct?

The corners of Xenia’s mouth also twitched slightly. No matter how "foolish" she might be, she could see that Sera really disliked Sylvia.

If her daughter didn't like her... well, call it favoritism, but even if she couldn't see what was wrong with Sylvia, her attitude toward the woman was starting to shift subtly.

However, thoughts were for the heart; appearances had to be maintained. She stepped in to smooth things over: "Sylvia, you’ve been abroad for years, so you might not be aware, but Sera is quite a homebody. She rarely goes out, and even when she's home, she’s usually upstairs in her private soundproof studio working on her music. She has very few friends."

"Mia is someone she met by chance. She probably won't be able to help you with this. If you need assistance, I can help you instead. Although we aren't in the same field, I know a few prominent ladies in Sea City who have plenty of resources. I can ask around for you."

When Sylvia heard she wanted to ask other socialites for help, she was horrified.

She hadn't asked Seraphina because she actually needed her help; she was just afraid Seraphina would plant a spy in her studio! She simply couldn't stand Seraphina’s high-and-mighty attitude and wanted to vent her frustration!

Having Seraphina do it versus having Xenia do it were two completely different concepts. If Seraphina helped, it would at most involve asking her peers, and gossip among the younger generation wouldn't affect Sylvia much. Besides, given Seraphina’s personality, she wouldn't brag about it even if she helped.

Xenia was different. If Xenia helped her by asking the ladies in her circle, wouldn't she be handing Xenia a reputation for being a devoted sister-in-law who went above and beyond for her future relative?

Dream on!

"In that case, never mind. I can't let Sister-in-law owe favors to others on my account. It’s fine; I’ll ask my brothers and sisters-in-law on the Foster side for help. My sisters-in-law, especially the second one, don't have much to do and usually gather to play cards. They don't know the prominent ladies you do, so even if they ask for help, the favors won't be that big."

Xenia was more than happy not to help. She had only made a casual offer. Of course, when she made it, she was certain Sylvia would refuse.

Whatever Sylvia could think of, Xenia could naturally think of as well. In the past, she certainly would have personally arranged everything for Sylvia. But now...

Never mind. Since her daughter disliked Sylvia, helping her would just be going against her daughter and making her unhappy. It wasn't worth it.

She was simply an unprincipled, partial mother.

"Alright, then. Let me know if there’s anything else you need."

That morning, Sylvia had come to cause them trouble, but in the end, she was the one who left feeling stifled and frustrated.

Mia eventually obtained Xenia’s permission to come to work on time during the day, regardless of whether Xenia stayed home.

However, there was one thing Mia couldn't quite understand. When they were alone, she asked Seraphina, "Miss, since you want us to stay by the Master and Mistress's side, why not just arrange for us to live in the Pierce mansion? Wouldn't that be more convenient?"

What she meant was that it would allow for twenty-four-hour protection.