Chapter 036: Adorably Dazed

Sylvia snorted with disdain. "I’ve gathered plenty of information in Sea City and the Pierce household these days. I trust my own judgment more than a female star who only cares about climbing the social ladder."

"Who knows if that star knew we were going to deal with the Pierce family and lied to make us more wary of them, so we would work harder to destroy the relationship between Silas Sterling and the Pierces while she reaps the benefits!"

"I’ve seen plenty of women like her. We are the ones who use others; there’s no way she’s going to use us!"

Silas Pierce’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he felt Sylvia’s logic had some merit. But...

"Wasn't it said that your niece was also present at the time?" When the star agreed to cooperate and told them Seraphina had publicly declared her interest in Silas Sterling, she had indeed mentioned that Penelope Foster was there.

"Penelope already had designs on Silas Sterling, and she’s been overshadowed by Seraphina since childhood. Among the juniors of the Sea City families, few can outshine Seraphina. It’s inevitable some would dislike her, and Penelope is one of them. Who can guarantee she was telling the truth? They grew up in prestigious families; no matter how stupid they are, they aren't

that

stupid. How do you know Penelope didn't have the same intentions as that star?"

"Penelope’s words likewise can't be trusted—at least, not entirely."

Sylvia hadn't initially thought this way until the day they returned to the country. When the second branch of the Foster family and several juniors picked them up at the airport, Penelope had mentioned the blind date between Seraphina and Silas Sterling both explicitly and implicitly. Later, she found chances to mention it "accidentally" once or twice more. Sylvia didn't believe Penelope was being unintentional. Penelope might not know what she and Silas Pierce were planning, but in great families, there is no shortage of infighting. Penelope was likely just gambling—gambling that they wouldn't want Sheldon’s family to grow stronger, and gambling that they wouldn't want Seraphina and Silas Sterling to actually end up together. Penelope had nothing to lose by taking the bet.

Silas Pierce looked deeply at Sylvia, then withdrew his gaze, gripping the steering wheel and looking ahead. "Since Silas Sterling and Seraphina have no relationship, and Sterling might even have a grudge against the Pierces because of the rejection, we don't need to worry as much."

Sylvia narrowed her eyes, looking at his profile. "What do we do?"

Silas Pierce looked at her and gave a cold laugh. "Before we returned, when I informed my sister-in-law of our arrival, didn't she say she had prepared a welcome banquet for us? I believe it’s scheduled for two months from now."

"Two months?" Sylvia’s brow furrowed deeply. "You mean I have to endure Seraphina for more than two more months?"

Silas Pierce’s eyes were full of calculation. "Not necessarily. Waiting too long invites complications."

"Are you asking me to start organizing a banquet too?" Sylvia was somewhat reluctant. She was very busy with her fashion show—the most important step for her to secure a foothold in Sea City—and she didn't want to divert time to anything else right now.

As if afraid Silas Pierce would be angry if he discovered her small thoughts, she found an excuse: "I was thinking, since your brother and sister-in-law said they would host a welcome banquet, I wouldn't have a suitable reason to host one before then."

"Since it’s a welcome banquet, why must we wait two months? By then, your fashion show will have been over for a long time. Having the banquet then won't be of much use to us."

Sylvia brightened at this. "You mean, move the welcome banquet forward? That way, it can serve as a warm-up for my fashion show and we can do what we want to do?"

Silas Pierce frowned, looking at her with some displeasure. "Sylvia, has your brain become useless since returning to the country?"

Sylvia was stunned, not understanding why he had suddenly turned on her. "Silas, what... what do you mean? Are you tired of me?" She felt displeased and somewhat anxious, fearing Silas Pierce might discard her.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, she saw a flash of impatience in his eyes. Though it wasn't obvious, Sylvia saw it, and her heart grew more uneasy.

"Holding a banquet before the fashion show? Are you planning to have your show completely ruined?" Silas Pierce’s tone was poor, heavy with disdain.

Sylvia was shocked after hearing his words. Why hadn't she thought of that!

To give Seraphina a lesson at the banquet, it certainly couldn't be a simple one. Otherwise, not only would it fail to achieve the desired effect, but it would also alert the enemy. If it wasn't a simple lesson, then it was... making Seraphina disappear forever from their sight!

Seraphina was the Eldest Miss of the Pierce family, the number one socialite in Sea City, and a successful artist. If something truly happened to her, how could Sylvia, as Seraphina’s future aunt-in-law, continue with a fashion show? If she did, she wouldn't be met with fame, but with infamy!

But if the banquet were

after

the fashion show... and not long after, just a few days. That way, she would have already made her appearance in Sea City’s high society, and people would naturally pay attention to the fashion show she had successfully held. The Eldest Miss’s accident might draw attention away, but what about after the storm passed? By then, even if people weren't focused on her design talent, they would at least remember her through the banquet—and she would have punished that brat Seraphina who never gave her a good face.

Either way, she wouldn't lose. Perfect!

"I was just so enraged that I lost my composure. I didn't even consider such a simple problem. I won't be so careless next time, Silas. Don't be angry." She looked at Silas Pierce, her voice turning coy: "It’s only because you’re by my side. I’ve always felt there’s nothing you can't do well. I’ve become dependent on you in my heart, so I subconsciously stopped thinking. It’s my fault, but it’s also because you provide too much of a sense of security."

In one sentence, she praised Silas Pierce, showed his importance to her, and used the affected tone he liked most. Silas Pierce’s expression softened significantly.

"Don't let it happen again. I won't be by your side to remind you every time."

"I guarantee there won't be a next time!" Sylvia felt triumphant. She had been able to hold onto Silas Pierce for so many years—ensuring that even if he had women outside, she was the only one on the surface—precisely because she had such methods.

"Sis, how did you know they didn't have an invitation?" In the other car, Leo suddenly asked.

Seraphina looked at him and smiled. "And how did

you

know?"

Leo shrugged. "Guessed."

"I guessed too."

The siblings looked at each other and smiled again. As they laughed, the light in Leo’s eyes grew somewhat deep. He actually had many questions, but in the end, he kept them to himself.

Leo withdrew his gaze, while Seraphina looked out the window, lost in thought. Silence followed.

After driving a bit further, Leo looked at Seraphina again. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke: "Sis, I've been thinking, and I feel it’s better to tell you something."

Seraphina’s thoughts were pulled back. She turned to him, her smiling eyes holding a hint of confusion. "What is it?"

Then a thought occurred to her. "Are you trying to say that while helping Dad at the company recently, you noticed something wrong—or someone wrong?"

The usually cold youth just looked at her, his eyes wide. He actually looked somewhat dazed and cute.

Seeing Leo like this, Seraphina’s eyes suddenly curved, and she laughed softly. She reached out and ruffled his hair. "Tell me about it."

This action startled Leo, making him jerk back to escape her "evil clutches," nearly hitting his head on the car ceiling. Leo’s face held a trace of annoyance. He deeply regretted that his usually sharp mind had allowed him to make such a stupid expression and be so careless as to let someone pat his head. Crucially, his reaction had been so large...

His sister might have just been being casual and might not have cared, but because of his big reaction, she might remember this. Such behavior and reaction were very inconsistent with his temperament. If his sister remembered it, wouldn't it make him look very unstable?

It felt a bit embarrassing.