Eric let out a wicked chuckle, his eyes filled with mockery. "If you haven’t done anything shameful, why are you afraid someone might cause trouble?"
"You..." James was livid, but before he could lash out, Grace quickly grabbed his arm. "Let it go. It’s a big day, don’t waste your energy on him."
James huffed angrily. "Ungrateful child, you’ve never been a source of peace!"
Eric’s smile grew even more defiant. "Didn’t you say I’m not your son? How can I be ungrateful if I’m not even yours?"
James was about to explode with fury, but Grace held him back again, whispering, "The guests are here."
Reluctantly, James turned away from Eric and, with a forced smile, joined Grace in greeting their arriving guests.
Ella raised an eyebrow, watching James with disdain. How clueless could this man be, letting Grace deceive him for so many years? She wondered what kind of face he’d make once he finally learned the truth.
"Let’s head inside," Eric said softly, a dark glint in his eyes. The night was lively, but this was the perfect stage for their carefully planned drama.
As they entered, Ella’s eyes quickly landed on the Carter family—Sean, Frank, Leah, Max—all gathered on a sofa, happily chatting with a few high-ranking officials.
Ella allowed a faint smile to tug at her lips. Carter Group hadn’t caused her any trouble recently, or else they wouldn’t be sitting here so comfortably.
Both Sean and Leah had become much more cautious, no longer making snide comments about her. The moment Leah saw Ella and Eric, she quickly stood up, trying to appear gracious.
"Ella, Mr. Nelson, you’ve arrived! Come, sit with us," Leah called out, sounding as though she were the hostess herself.
Ella gave a curt nod, her tone polite but detached. "Miss Carter, you’re very welcoming, but Mr. Nelson and I have a few things to attend to. We’ll pass for now."
The two political figures seated with Leah, though influential, couldn’t afford to show any arrogance in front of Eric. After exchanging pleasantries, they respectfully watched Ella and Eric walk away.
Eric led Ella to a more private spot deep inside the villa, where a plush sofa was conveniently empty, offering them a space to talk without interruption.
They sat down as a waiter brought over drinks and snacks.
"This villa... what an extravagance," Ella remarked, her gaze sweeping across the enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its dazzling white light illuminating every corner of the grand hall. The opulence was evident in every detail, from the jade-white marble walls to the gold accents embedded in the ornate lighting fixtures.
The centerpiece of the hall, a jade sculpture of a coiling dragon, carved from pure Xiuyan jade, exuded a majestic and luxurious aura.
"No matter how luxurious or beautiful the house, it’s wasted when the people living inside have no heart," Eric said, a bloodthirsty smile playing on his lips.
Ella was about to respond when something caught her attention. "Wait, is that Rachel? Of all places... why is she here?" She frowned, watching Rachel in a tight dress, exchanging a glance with Leah.
That kind of look, casual and familiar, suggested a deeper connection between them.
Ella raised an eyebrow. "So Leah’s been working with Rachel all along. No wonder Rachel’s been going after me for no reason."
Eric smirked, casting a brief glance in Rachel’s direction. "Good people don’t live long, but the wicked seem to survive forever. I suppose it’s because they’re so cunning, always dodging trouble. But... I have a feeling tonight’s going to be quite the spectacle."
Ella nodded, keeping an eye on Rachel. She knew that Rachel had backed off lately, which only meant she had some new scheme brewing. And if she was collaborating with Leah, then things were bound to get interesting.
Eric leaned over and whispered something into Ella’s ear, drawing her attention to Rachel, who was now standing with a young man in a gray suit. The man was strikingly handsome, holding a glass of red wine, his smile faint, and his gaze occasionally drifting toward their direction.
Ella glanced at the two, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Rachel’s new lover?"
"He wouldn’t be interested in her," Eric said with a hint of disdain in his eyes. Ella smiled softly but said no more. Eric excused himself to take a phone call outside, where it was quieter. The room was filled with chatter and laughter, making it impossible to hear anything clearly.
Rachel and the young man walked over, happily sitting next to Ella. "Ella, this is my friend, Connor Perez. He’s a national of Country Y but has roots in S Country."
Ella gave a polite nod to the man. "Hello, I’m Ella."
Connor smiled elegantly, his eyes revealing nothing. "I’m Connor. Nice to meet you."
Ella turned back to Rachel, her voice direct. "Why are you here? What’s your connection to the Nelson family?"
Rachel froze for a moment, surprised by Ella’s straightforwardness. She shook her head smoothly. "Oh, I don’t have any connection to the Nelson family. I was bored, and my cousin was attending, so I tagged along."
Ella took a sip of her juice, unconcerned. She had expected Rachel to hide her connection to Leah. Rachel was Leah’s spy—how convenient, Ella thought to herself.
Rachel, brimming with excitement, pulled a necklace from her small bag. The pendant was a large circle, made of an unusual material—not jade, not silver—but its soft glow gave off a strangely calming effect, almost hypnotic.
"Ella, look at this necklace! Connor gave it to me. He says if you look at it long enough, you can see your own face reflected in the light. I couldn’t figure it out, though. Connor, why don’t you let her try?" Rachel said, her smile seemingly innocent.
Connor handed the necklace to Ella, his expression calm and kind. Ella blinked, her curiosity piqued. "Really? You can see your own face in the light? That’s the first time I’ve heard of such a thing."
"Yes, the world is full of strange wonders. You should give it a try!" Rachel responded, her enthusiasm masked by a practiced casualness.
Ella glanced at Connor, who smiled serenely and gently swung the necklace back and forth. "Miss Davis, would you like to give it a try?"
"Sure, why not," Ella said, feigning curiosity. She stared at the circle, the soft glow from the pendant giving her an oddly soothing sensation.
"Good. Just relax, don’t be tense," Connor’s voice was soft and calming, coaxing a sense of ease.
Ella tried to relax, her breathing slowing as she focused on the pendant.
"Now, slowly focus on the circle. Think of something beautiful, something that makes you happy," Connor continued, his tone as smooth as velvet.
Ella’s mind drifted. "Something beautiful... being with my mom..." she murmured, her thoughts turning to the mother she barely remembered. Her imagination filled in the blanks, creating an idealized version of a perfect, loving mother—one she had no memories of, having lost her at the age of three.