Janet appeared to be unfazed and simply hummed in agreement.
Upon seeing the both of them enter the lounge, everyone in the hall regained their composure and began to discuss what they just saw.
“What’s going on? Isn’t she that J’Adore girl who is rumored to be Mr. Lowry’s girlfriend? What is she doing here?”
“Did Old Madam Lowry approve of her? What in the world is going on? Could it be that Mason is making his relationship official in front of everyone?”
“But nobody knows anything about J’Adore. She’s far too mysterious for Old Madam Lowry to ever give her stamp of approval!”
“Precisely. It’s not that easy to marry into the Lowry Family.”
“After all, seeing as that girl is of neither good breeding nor nobility, it’s highly unlikely that Old Madam Lowry would ever agree to Mason’s relationship with her. There’s no background information on her whatsoever.”
Standing off to one side, Rebecca remained silent as her eyes stared at the entrance to the lounge. Her fists were clenched, her nails digging into the flesh of her palms as her expression grew sour.
Moments ago, she had felt as though she was walking on air; now, it was as though she was crashing down into an abyss.
How dare Mason bring J’Adore—that sly vixen of a woman—to the banquet?
She wondered if Old Madam Lowry really did agree to any of this.
Even though Rebecca had been prepared beforehand to see J’Adore at the event, the actual sight of that hussy showing up with Mason was far more painful than she had expected.
She panicked once more and turned to look at Esme helplessly. “Mom, what should we do?”
Esme ground her teeth and clenched her fists.
She couldn’t believe that the infuriating J’Adore would dare show up here.
However, she knew that Old Madam Lowry was a very particular woman, and she certainly would not approve of a girl with a questionable background like J’Adore.
As such, Esme pinned her only hope on Old Madam Lowry’s judgment and she quickly offered her daughter solace. “Don’t worry, Rebecca.”
“How can I not worry?” Rebecca demanded, her eyes rimmed red as though she was on the verge of tears.
If that b*tch is here, what use is there for me to play the piano?
Esme kept her voice down to avoid other guests from overhearing their conversation and explained patiently, “Look—even if J’Adore is here, it’s unlikely for Old Madam Lowry to welcome her. After all, Old Madam Lowry would hardly entertain a girl whose background is unknown.”
Any person with taste would choose the multi-talented Rebecca over J’Adore, Esme thought to herself.
“But what if Old Madam Lowry likes her? I wouldn’t stand a chance if that happens!”
Due to Rebecca’s fickle nature and her lack of a backbone, she was easily flustered in the face of uncertainty and other problems.
However, just as Esme was about to speak, a flurry of voices which sounded a lot like arguing traveled from within the lounge.
“Mason, why did you bring her here?”
It was Old Madam Lowry’s voice, which rang out clear and sharp; the aggression in her tone was difficult to miss.
Everyone’s ears pricked up at the sound of her voice and they tried to listen to anything else that might be going on in there.
The women in the hall were exchanging gleeful looks as they remarked to one another, “Old Madam Lowry must be furious at Mason for bringing that wh*re along to this event.”
Someone let out a bark of laughter. “Does this mean that Old Madam Lowry has never seen that sl*t J’Adore?”
“Old Madam Lowry is not one to mess around with!”
“I guess we’ve got front row seats to a comedy! Let’s see how Old Madam Lowry throws her out of here!” Another woman sniggered.
While the other ladies quipped about the misfortune that J’Adore undoubtedly deserved, Esme and Rebecca both looked relieved, their frowns disappearing after hearing Old Madam Lowry’s ultimatum.
Esme smirked in contempt. “See, Rebecca? I told you Old Madam Lowry would never like someone like J’Adore.”
Rebecca pursed her lips and unclenched her fists. “I suppose I was worried for nothing,” she mused, a mocking tone in her voice.
Of course I was worried for nothing! After all, how could someone like J’Adore even stand a chance when compared to me? Who does she think she is? How dare she lay her dirty claws on Mason?
Meanwhile, on the other side of the door…
