Zoe heaved a sigh of relief… only to get nervous again soon enough. "Wait, what is Grandpa going to do John? John clearly isn’t going to agree to the engagement.""I called you specifically to warn you about that," Nancy snapped. "Don't try to meddle with John's engagement with Jessica! I know you're buddies with Cordy, and I won't stop you from making friends, but you have no right to interfere with certain matters—not that you can!""Mom…" Zoe groaned."And your grandpa is telling you to go home tonight for dinner," Nancy added, giving Zoe no chance of refusal."But why?" Zoe asked.After all, Alan had grown to dislike hustle and bustle over the last few years. In fact, there were rarely any family dinners, and he only attended a couple of social events unless absolutely necessary. It was certainly no Christmas or Thanksgiving now, so why was she suddenly summoned home?!"Jessica's grandfather is coming for dinner and discussing John's engagement with her.""And what does th
Zoe was taken aback. She did not doubt Jay and Mandy's relationship since Mandy was right—when Cordy exposed her on live TV, Jay did not seem to care that Mandy was clearly guilty. He even shielded Mandy and protected her from the journalists hounding her, and that was all one needed to know about their relationship.However, she did not expect Jay to bring Mandy home to meet his parents so soon.Even if Jay was not actually Alan's biological son, he had always stayed with Alan despite how strict Alan was with him. As for Mandy, her reputation was so terrible she had zero prospects in showbiz now.And with the Jessops being caught in various other scandals, they were not even invited to Levine Ventures' 60th-anniversary celebration. Was Jay really not afraid that Alan would kick Mandy out the front door as soon as she arrived?As those many thoughts crossed Zoe's mind, Mandy presumed that Zoe was too jealous to speak.In reality, she was surprised that Jay had invited her to L
Zoe sat calmly in her MPV even as Penny kept rambling on beside her. "Those ingrates, turning coats as soon as Mandy bought them some snacks! Don't they remember that you've been treating them to tea every other day? Put together, that's way more than what it cost Mandy! And why won't you let me scold them, Zoe? Badmouthing us behind our backs… it's outrageous!""Their mouths are theirs. They can say whatever they like," Zoe told Penny.Penny pouted. "But they're also questioning your relationship with Jay…" "And they're right," Zoe said flatly—she never looked at Jay directly unless she had to.Penny had more to say but Zoe cut her short. "I need to leave early today, so I'll be putting you down at the junction ahead. Take a taxi home—you can claim the fare from Linda." "Okay." Penny nodded, earnestly finding Zoe a kind soul right then.After all, was there any other celebrity who gave their assistant a ride home?!In fact, Zoe would always make sure to send Penny to her doorstep if
All Zoe felt was her cheek burning.She thought that Mandy would be surprised to find her here, even finding it unacceptable that someone was better than her since she was so used to feeling superior. She really did not expect Mandy to slap her right away, and it left her dumbstruck for seconds.Even the security guards at the door were left stunned, unable to react."Don't you know any shame, Zoe?!" Mandy bellowed at her right then, her teeth gnashing with fury. "How dare you show up here?! You're really coming this far to stop me from meeting Jay's parents?! Have you not heard a word of my warning this afternoon?!"Zoe came to her senses then and touched her swollen cheek.To be honest, she had never lost much in life, save for when it came to Jay.And she would not begrudge Jay that.As for anyone else…Zoe's eyes narrowed right then and she raised her hand, ready to return the favor!However, someone caught her wrist as soon as she raised her hand, and Zoe turned to find
Jay suddenly pulled Mandy into his arms to stop her from hitting Zoe again. "Enough!"But Mandy was not having any of it—she struggled against his hold, all while snarling savagely, "She has no right to hover around you! She's so shameless she would come here to Levine Manor! Who does she think she is?!""I'm not just anyone. I'm just the granddaughter of the average Joe named Alan Levine!" Zoe retorted right then.While Mandy was left taken aback and unable to respond, Zoe asked, "Doesn't ring a bell? Well, it's not that widely known in North City… But what if I told you he's the board chairman of Levine Ventures?"Mandy's heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly came to a realization.But she simply could not believe it. It was simply impossible!There was no way Zoe could be Alan's granddaughter! If she were, would she have to work so hard for her showbiz career? With Levine Ventures owning half the studios out there, Zoe would have been able to strut anywhere she went! But Ma
Three Bentleys were parked right outside the main entrance of Levine Manor, and the security guard rushed forward to open the doors.The first one to walk out was John, who was dressed in a black suit that emphasized his towering figure and imposing aura.After getting out of the car, he ceremoniously bent forward to help Jessica out of the car. Jessica smiled coyly. "Thank you." "Don't mention it." John nodded, politely yet distantly.Jessica kept the smile on her face, as if she did not care about John's attitude toward her.The two of them walked one after another to the car next to them and waited respectfully. Mr. William Stuart came out of the car with the help of his personal butler.Although he was over 70 years of age and his hair had gone completely white, he looked healthy as he stood tall and straight.Jessica's parents, Andy Stuart and Wendy Stone, together with her brother, James Stuart, came out of the last Bentley.The Stuart family, helmed by William, beg
Secondly, she had thought that she was the star of tonight's banquet. She was the one coming to meet the parents, yet no one from the Levine family bothered to even look at her. She found it unacceptable being disregarded by others this way. Yet, she dared not express her displeasure.For the very first time in her life, she felt like a nobody in front of these people.After Alan and William exchanged pleasantries, they entered the hall of Levine Manor and walked straight toward the luxurious dining hall.Everyone took their seats in order of hierarchy around the massive banquet table.Servants stood ready at the side to serve and help with dinner proceedings.Conversations at the table were largely composed of Alan and William catching up with each other, reminiscing over past memories."I wanted to join Levine Ventures' 60th-anniversary celebration, but I had to make a last-minute trip to the capital city. My apologies, Alan," William said sincerely."You're being a stranger
John and Jessica chatted casually as the dinner went on.Both sets of parents felt glad to see them getting along so well.Zoe was the only one who felt so frustrated she wanted to smash a spoon and leave the scene.The thought of Cordy…Zoe told herself to calm down. She had to remain calm."How old is Zoe this year?" William suddenly singled her out. Zoe was shocked.She was sure things did not bode well with such a question on such an occasion. Out of courtesy, Zoe put down her spoon and smiled. "Mr. Stuart, I'm turning 25 this year.""It's been so long since I last saw you, and you've grown up to be such a charming young lady. I heard that you're carving out a career for yourself in the entertainment industry?""My academic results were poor so I was left with no choice but to be an entertainer," Zoe said self-deprecatingly.William was tickled by Zoe's remarks. "There are truckloads of people who can study, but not many people can act.""Then please help me persuade