"Grandma, you flatter me. I just happened to notice that Mrs. Lisa loves treasures, and it was all thanks to Daddy’s wisdom that we were able to seal the deal," Ella responded modestly with a smile.
Grandma Davis’s face lit up with a broad grin, while Brandon seized the moment to add, "Ella is indeed very clever. It seems she has solved many problems for her father."
Robert nodded approvingly, "Of course, Ella is no longer the mischievous child she used to be."
Brianna quickly echoed Robert’s praise, while Hannah, despite her smile, felt a surge of resentment.
That little receipt must have been the one she discarded! Otherwise, Grandma wouldn’t have changed her attitude towards her.
Regret gnawed at Hannah. If only she hadn’t been so careless.
"Ella has grown up, and Grandma has been too busy to notice you. Please don’t blame me," Grandma Davis chuckled. Ella had become Robert’s treasure, and naturally, she loved her as well.
Thanks to her granddaughter’s suggestion, Davis Group secured a fifty-billion-dollar contract, so it was only natural for Grandma Davis to look at her differently.
"Grandma, please stop praising me, or I’ll become conceited!" Ella protested playfully.
Grandma Davis laughed again. Kevin shot Ella a glare, ready to say something, but Brianna stopped him.
Despite being only ten years old, the little guy listened to Brianna obediently and could only glare at Ella moodily before lowering his head to eat.
The atmosphere at dinner improved significantly. After a pleasant meal, Ella planned to sit for a while before visiting Eric.
Unexpectedly, an uninvited guest arrived in the living room just as she settled down.
To Ella’s surprise, it was Avery—Eric’s former fiancée—wearing a stylish purple business dress as she walked in gracefully.
Robert stood up in astonishment, "Miss Allen, is there something urgent? Did the project we discussed last time encounter any changes?"
Ella frowned. Avery had business dealings with Robert?
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Davis. I’m Avery, the deputy manager of Allen Group," Avery greeted with a polite smile. "Regarding the contract, I visited the Davis family but found you were not home, so I came here. I could have called, but to show my sincerity, I decided to come in person."
However, Avery’s gaze was icy as it landed on Ella.
"Please, Miss Allen, have a seat," Robert said, motioning for her to sit. He couldn’t help but admire Avery’s allure as she sat down.
All men appreciate beauty, and Avery was undeniably attractive. Robert found his eyes lingering on her.
"Here’s the situation. We were about to sign the contract, but I received an anonymous text message. It contained not only insults but also photos!" Avery’s tone turned cold as she showed the images on her phone to Robert.
Robert paused and glanced at the phone screen, where he saw Ella in a compromising position with a man in a car, being kissed.
Even Robert, experienced in affairs of the heart, felt a bit embarrassed at the sight.
The content of the text message made Robert frown deeply.
"Avery! I stole your man. You’re destined never to have Eric, you ugly monster. Hahaha... Are you having a heart attack from anger yet?"
Robert’s expression changed instantly.
Ella remained calm, while Hannah and Brianna couldn’t help but lean in to see. They were both shocked by what they read.
"Sis, how could you say such things about Miss Allen? She’s a well-known figure in S City and a partner of Davis Group," Hannah exclaimed, looking at Ella in shock.
Ella frowned and looked at Hannah with displeasure. "Hannah, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."
"Don’t understand? Then look, Miss Ella. I don’t mind you taking my boyfriend, but your arrogance has made me decide to cancel the cooperation with Davis Group!" Avery’s cold smile accompanied the display of her phone’s screen to Ella.
Ella glanced at the screen, instantly recognizing the content. Brandon also saw it and frowned.
"Ella, apologize to Miss Allen right now! Miss Allen, I am so sorry, my daughter has been spoiled..." Brianna said awkwardly, while Grandma Davis gave a glance and looked calmly at Avery.
"Miss Allen, you said the message was sent by an anonymous person. How can you blame our Ella?"
Grandma Davis’s words almost made Hannah explode with rage. Previously, Grandma had been indifferent to Ella, showing no closeness, but now she was speaking up for her!
"Grandma is right. Miss Allen, you’re blaming me based on some secretly taken photos. It seems you never intended to cooperate with Davis Group," Ella said with a light smile, her expression unchanged.
Avery’s face darkened. "Miss Davis, if you did it, don’t be afraid to admit it! Don’t you think I understand your character?"
"Dad, when did Miss Allen approach you for a partnership?" Ella coldly turned to Robert.
Robert, caught in a dilemma, was searching for the best way to resolve the situation. "Just a week ago," he replied, looking at Ella without wanting to reprimand her. After all, his daughter had successfully secured a fifty-billion-dollar contract for him.
"That’s strange. Miss Allen threw coffee at me in a café and called me a mistress. You wouldn’t have been inclined to approach my father for a deal, right? How is it possible that within a week you were ready to finalize a contract, only to cancel it over a trivial matter? This is a joke, isn’t it? Miss Allen never intended to cooperate with us; she just wanted an excuse to humiliate me!" Ella’s voice was icy, her demeanor fierce and intimidating.
"Moreover, it’s ridiculous to assume it was me based on an anonymous message. The content claims to be from me, but it’s sent anonymously. Don’t you think this frame-up is too deliberate?"
Ella’s sharp words left Avery red-faced, unable to find a retort.
"Mr. Davis, our cooperation ends here!" Avery declared before striding towards the exit.
Brianna stood up in panic, "Miss Allen..."
"Let her go! She came to slander Ella on purpose. Allen Group never wanted to collaborate with us. Avery just wanted to humiliate Ella!" Robert, not a fool, quickly understood and coldly said, "Goodbye, Miss Allen. I hope you won’t bother my family again in the future!"
Avery’s face turned pale as she stumbled out of the estate, kicking her car in frustration. "Damn it! That bitch, this isn’t over!"
Back in the estate, Brandon smiled at Ella. "Ella, you’re truly smart, seeing through Avery’s scheme so quickly."