Chapter 121

Chapter 121:

“Mom, Sierra was simply misled by Janice,” Nellie interjected.

“Nellie…” Sierra wanted to defend her friend.

Nellie glared at Sierra, silently urging her to hold her tongue. Sierra bowed her head, her spirit dampened as the fiery resolve inside her began to wane.

Nellie continued to soothe her mother, gently patting Leonie’s hand. “Mom, as you witnessed earlier, Janice is both sharp and articulate. It’s quite understandable that Sierra, who lacks experience, was deceived. I promise to speak with her later. For now, let’s focus on maintaining our composure. You need to present yourself impeccably to the guests.”

Leonie exhaled deeply, massaging her temples as a sense of calm returned at Nellie’s reassuring words. “Nellie, you always manage to calm my concerns. Your sister has been overly independent at university. Once she graduates, I trust you’ll steer her in the right direction.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, how are things progressing with Kenneth?”

Leonie abruptly shifted her attention, catching Nellie by surprise. Nellie forced a smile and said, “Kenneth is quite the catch. He’s good-looking and ambitious, an ideal partner.”

Leonie’s expression brightened. “You seem to think highly of him. I’ll speak with his mother later, and perhaps you two can get married soon.”

Nellie kept up her smile, though her fists were clenched under the table.

The banquet then began, and guests commenced enjoying the evening’s gourmet offerings.

As the attendees dined, a series of performances that Leonie had organized began to entertain them. The lineup included vocalists, dancers, and pianists, all enhancing the sophisticated vibe of the evening.

“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of our host for tonight’s charity gala, Mrs. Ramirez, I extend our deepest appreciation for your attendance,” the host said as he took the stage, preparing for the next part of the program. “Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Ramirez to the stage for her speech.” The audience clapped enthusiastically.

Every journey starts at gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․c𝗈𝗆

Leonie stood, acknowledging them with a smile and a graceful nod, then proceeded to the stage.

“Dear guests, thank you for joining us tonight. This is the third charity gala I have organized. To me, it represents not just a social gathering but a tradition reflecting our dedication to kindness. The funds we’ve raised have supported many who are in need, and witnessing these individuals overcome their hardships is both touching and motivating. This reinforces the value of our efforts. I am committed to continuing this legacy of generosity throughout my life, even into my later years.” The audience offered another round of applause.

Janice gave a lazy clap, having heard such overly formal speeches far too many times. She was eager to get to the auction, secure the item she wanted, and leave quickly.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ramirez, for that inspiring speech. We will now proceed to tonight’s charity auction, where all proceeds will go to charity. Let’s bring out the first item for auction.” An usher appeared, carrying an antique vase.

Everyone present, with their keen eyes, quickly recognized it as a valuable piece, likely worth more than eight million. It was certainly no small amount.

“Before we begin, I’d like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Bart Green for his generous donation of this vase,” the host continued, pointing towards Bart as he was spotlighted. Bart acknowledged the applause with a refined smile, lifting his right hand.

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