Chapter 384
384:
Valeria replied, “Of course.”
She looked down on Rosie. In her view, Rosie was incapable, failing to deal with a woman.
She considered it demeaning to collaborate with someone so incompetent.
She left with Viper, checking the tiara again to ensure its authenticity, skeptical of receiving anything genuine from someone as ineffective as Rosie.
Rachael walked in, observing Rosie’s swollen form, still connected to an IV drip. Although Rosie was no longer in immediate danger, the swelling remained; it was expected to subside within the hour. Rachael set down clothes she had brought next to the bed, sighed deeply, and looked at Rosie with profound sympathy.
She said, “Miss Harper, once you recover, will you return to the Harper family’s residence? After all you’ve endured, you must seek revenge.”
As the evening sun set around six, guests started to arrive in succession. Besides the many colleagues from Brenna’s two studios, the gathering was small—just Ableson’s family and three of Giselle’s close friends, who brought their children along.
The three of Giselle’s friends were all accomplished women holding prominent positions, which Brenna noticed immediately.
“This is Mrs. Padilla, an engineer at the National Research Institute. Her daughter, Greta, is attending a prestigious university,” Giselle said with a warm smile as she introduced them to Brenna.
Brenna found herself liking Giselle’s friend. Danika Padilla was no ordinary guest; her attire was classy, and she wore elegant glasses, giving Brenna a measured smile that hinted at her friendly nature.
“Hello, Mrs. Padilla, Miss Padilla. Nice to meet you both,” Brenna said with a welcoming smile.
Giselle was pleasantly surprised by her daughter’s warm reception, as Brenna usually maintained a reserved demeanor.
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝖈𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗮 gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩶𝖼𝗈𝗺
Greta Padilla, close in age to Brenna, dressed modestly and avoided fashionable trends. When she saw how stunning Brenna looked, her expression soured a little.
Danika, experienced from her tenure at the National Research Institute, had encountered many talented individuals. She regarded Brenna with respect. “I saw your recent lecture for the Harper Group online; you were impressive, particularly in your discussion on intelligent driving and futuristic flying cars. Our institute even organized a seminar on those topics after your lecture. The director is so impressed by you that he is considering inviting you to speak at the National Research Institute.”
Brenna was taken aback by the compliment, feeling flattered. The National Research Institute’s experts were esteemed in the academic world; she believed she wasn’t worthy of giving a lecture to them.
Greta couldn’t help but feel a flicker of discomfort as she took in Brenna’s accomplishments. She had always stood out among her peers, nearly completing her master’s degree at just twenty-one, while many of her age were still working through their undergraduate programs. Attending one of the country’s most elite universities had long given her a quiet confidence, a sense of being a step ahead.
But today, encountering someone whose accomplishments far outshone her own left her displeased. A part of her believed Brenna had embellished her credentials just a little too much.
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