Chapter 55 Reborn
Chapter 55 Reborn
Alina didn't have time to regret that she was caught in a lie. She just took a deep breath and walked towards James, who emanated a cold aura. She then held his arm and said in a soft tone, "James, please don't be mad. I'm here to pick you up. Let's go back together."
James didn't say anything. He just nodded, turned around, and walked to the parking lot with Alina. They then got into her car together.
As soon as they were both seated comfortably in the car, Alina handed him a document. "James, this is the lawyer's letter prepared by Mr. Zhou. Can you check and tell me what you think about it?"
James turned to glance at the document without taking it from her hand. But he saw that it was for Maria.
He then said lightly, "Just let him take care of it. He has the full authority on this matter."
"Okay. Ron has been staying at home until now. The injury at the back of his head hasn't fully recovered yet, so he doesn't feel comfortable going out. Maria has gone too far this time. The Tang family will definitely sue her." It sounded like Alina was just explaining to James. But the truth was, she was testing him. She wanted to know how he would react since the Tang family was going against Maria this time. "Hmm," James responded nasally. He didn't say anything more.
"By the way, Maria said that when you went T Country for a business trip, you took her with you. Is it true?"
"No," James curtly replied. He didn't bother to explain anything.
Alina breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he said that he wasn't with Maria, she believed him. "All right. I won't bother you now so you can take a rest. I'll just wake you up when we arrive at the company."
"Okay."
Few days had passed, Maria's life went on as usual. Today, she was busy all day. But she had not forgotten an important event tonight—the family gathering of the Song family.
She closed her laptop and kneaded her eyebrows. She knew that she had to brace herself for what might happen later. She would be facing the members of the Song and Tang families. It would definitely be a hard battle.
She checked her wardrobe and eventually decided to pick out a strapless red long gown. It would certainly reveal her beautiful figure incisively and vividly. There were still some bruises on her arms, but she didn't feel bothered about them at all. She simply covered them with foundation while she was doing her makeup. To complete her outfit for tonight, she put on a set of diamond jewelry and a pair of black diamond-encrusted high heels.
Maria made sure that she was well dressed for the occasion because she wanted to show the Song family that her life went well after she finally cut ties with them.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom took her to the hotel.
Before long, the vehicle pulled over at the entrance of the hotel. The driver got out and opened the backseat door before the hotel staff came over. He said politely, "Ms. Song, here we are."
Daniela was also walking towards the entrance of the hotel. When she noticed the luxury car and heard "Ms. Song," she slowed down her steps. Her brows creased in confusion. As far as she could remember, no one in their family had bought a new car recently.
Then she saw a pair of black diamond-encrusted high heels coming out of the car. It was then followed by a red silk gown, and finally, a stunning face.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
The moment Daniela recognized who the woman was, her eyes widened in shock. She then exclaimed in disbelief, "Maria Song? Is that you?"
Before Daniela was another woman. She was Carolina, who was about to step into the hotel when she heard Daniela mention their youngest sister's name. So she stopped and turned around.
Indeed, it was Maria who was getting out of the fancy car.
For a moment, the expression in Carolina's eyes became complicated. She stood rooted to the spot and quietly stared at Maria, who was smiling at her.
From the way she looked tonight, Maria had really changed a lot. She was very much different from six years ago. It was as if she was reborn.
Carolina already knew that Maria had returned to H City, but she didn't get a chance to meet her. And now that Maria appeared at the family gathering, Carolina couldn't just ignore her. After all, they were sisters.
She waited for Maria to come closer and greeted in a gentle voice, "Hi, Maria."
Maria looked much more beautiful up-close. She was so gorgeous, but not in a vulgar way. As the eldest daughter, Carolina always used the best things in her daily life, so she naturally knew how to recognize good stuff.
She could tell that Maria's red silk gown was the latest design of a famous international clothing brand that cost a few hundred thousand dollars. The set of diamond jewelry Maria was wearing probably worth at least tens of millions of dollars. It might look low-key, but in fact, it was luxurious. 'Is the rumor that Maria hooks up with Norman Shen true? Is he the one providing these luxurious things for her?' Carolina couldn't help thinking inwardly.
"Hi, Carolina," Maria greeted back, totally ignoring Daniela.
She secretly scrutinized Carolina in front of her. Perhaps Carolina had just come out of the meeting because she was still wearing a black suit. As usual, she looked like a businesswoman.
"I'm glad that you're here. Do Mom and Dad know you're coming?" Carolina didn't think that Maria was invited by their parents.
"I'm not sure if they do. It was Aunt Miranda who asked me to come," Maria replied frankly.
"Oh, I see. Well, let's go inside together then."
"Carolina, wait a minute," Daniela interrupted. She trotted to her two sisters and stood in front of Maria with hostility written all over her face. "What are you doing here? This is a family gathering, and we don't welcome outsiders to join."
Carolina tugged Daniela's dress and said in a low voice, "Daniela, don't make trouble here. Maria is our sister. She has the right to join our family gathering."
"What are you talking about? Have you forgotten what kind of woman she is? Don't tell me that you have already forgotten how she disgraced our parents? Always remember, the Song family has only two daughters—you and me!" Daniela blocked Maria's way, making sure that she wouldn't be able to enter the hotel.
While the three sisters were still in a commotion, a Harkim halted at the entrance of the hotel.
Then James and Alina got out of the car. As soon as Alina saw the three women, she walked towards them gracefully and greeted, "Hi, Carolina, Daniela, and Maria! Wow, you are all here!" She deliberately tightened her grip on James' arm, making them look more intimate.
James' presence caught the Song sisters' attention. They were always overwhelmed by his aura every time they were near him.
Carolina was the first to come back to her senses, and she greeted James, "Good evening, Mr. Xi."
She was more familiar with James because, as the general manager of the Song Group, she had the opportunity to meet him more often. Since Maria was married into the Xi family, the two families somewhat became in-laws, and the HL Group had given the Song Group a lot of benefits. Moreover, the employees of the two companies often met each other on different projects. Hence, Carolina had somehow worked with James.
James didn't say a word but nodded to Carolina in response. Daniela, on the other hand, still couldn't accept the fact the Maria and Alina had become a part of James' life. She was still hoping that she could get a chance on him in the future. As a matter of fact, when she heard that he would come tonight, she especially did her hair and makeup. For her, even just a glance from him was already worth it.
When she finally came back to her senses, she twisted her waist and walked over to Alina while casting James a flirty glance. "Mr. Xi, long time no see. Welcome to our family gathering."
James was not dense, not to see through her intention. He remained aloof and only gave Daniela a cold look as a response.
Maria watched the scene before her with a trace of mockery in her eyes. When she and James were still married, Daniela had always tried to hit on him. She wasn't surprised that Daniela had not given up until now. Despite the fact that James would soon be engaged to Alina, who was their cousin, Daniela was still openly trying to seduce him.
He was so charming that he could capture the hearts of the three Songs and a Tang.
James thought that Maria would also greet him, but she didn't. She just quietly watch the other women flatter him with irony in her eyes.
James pretended not to notice her either. He just walked inside the hotel with Alina without saying a word. However, he couldn't help but frown slightly, wondering who Maria was satirizing.