CHAPTER 977
The inevitable had finally arrived.
Serena shut her eyes, fighting the tumultuous waves churning in her chest.
Today was going to be Rosemary's most dazzling day ever since she was a toddler!
And it was going to be Serena's day of utter disgrace.
In that moment, all she hoped for was that the Collins family would remember old times and not tell the world that she was kicked out of the family.
Her phone buzzed again.
A college roommate was bombarding her with voice calls. Serena didn't want to answer, but after a relentless barrage, she finally noticed that her friend had sent dozens of messages already.
Her friend was curious whether Serena was having the dinner with the McMillians, if it was sumptuous,and if she could spill the beans on what they were having. She was dying to know the dining habits of the wealthy.
Serena didn't want to engage, but her friend was relentless. In the end, Serena shot back two words: steak.
Steak. A common enough dish that wouldn't give anything away.
Unbeknownst to Serena, this offhand reply would cause a stir online once her vain roommate screenshot it and posted it on social media.
The number two trending topic soon became: #CollinsFamilyHeiressReplies#
Her roommate boasted on her own account about how generous Serena had been with her classmates, gifting them pricey skincare products, and how well the McMillians treated her. She claimed that Serena, because of their close relationship, confided in her that they had steak for the dinner!
Clark, sitting in his car, stumbled upon the trend and was at a loss for words when he recognized Serena's profile in the screenshot.
"Why is she seeking attention now? Isn't she afraid of her actions being exposed?"
"What's going on?" David, intrigued by Clark's reaction, checked the trend and was amazed at Serena's vanity. She was no longer the Collins family heiress, yet she was pretending.
"Did we forget to block her? Maybe she saw what we posted on Facebook." Clark then remembered that Serena was still on his friend list.
"Forget blocking. Let her be green with envy," David didn't care about such trivialities.
Anything that could bring a smile to Rose's face was worth doing in their eyes!
Meanwhile, they were escorting Rosemary to the hotel in a car convoy, with Romeo's vehicle leading the way. A fleet of a dozen vehicles cleared the path, an impressive sight to behold.
"She's living a nightmare," Hunter commented on Serena's current plight.
Sean was blunt, "Serves her right. We didn't even need to mark her face; just letting her be was mercy enough. Once Rose's true status is revealed, I'll be the first to expose Serena's lies."
Soon, the media camped outside the hotel caught sight of a top-tier luxury car pulling up, and out stepped Erlinda, the head honcho of the Archer family!
She was decked out in a LY gown, looking every bit the competent and assertive businesswoman despite being in her forties, her eyes sharp with the acumen of a successful entrepreneur.
Since her father's death, she had single-handedly run the family's century-old business, making waves in the business world.
"Even Erlinda is here too!"
"What on earth is the Collins family announcing today that even Erlinda is in attendance?"
"Let's try to get an interview with her."
"Ms. Archer, may we have a moment of your time? Could you answer a few questions for us?"
Erlinda seemed to anticipate their queries, maintaining her authoritative aura with a nonchalant air, "It's a happy occasion. That's all I can disclose for now. You'll find out soon enough."
As she entered the hotel, the crowd noticed she, too, was wearing a LY gown, complemented with a stylish and warm LY shawl.
Everyone arriving seemed to have a special preference for LY. Had they agreed in advance to wear this brand, or was there another reason?
A fleet of luxury cars rolled up to the hotel entrance, gleaming under the afternoon sun. Stepping out were seven sprightly gentlemen, each a paragon of vitality and grace.
There was the grandmaster of chess, Eugene, whose name was synonymous with the game itself.
The maestro of melodies, Regan, who could charm the soul with any instrument in his hands.
Nelson, the renowned calligrapher and painter, whose works were sought after across continents.
Beck, the illustrious president of Westerly College, famed for his medical prowess that could cure the incurable.
Brandy, the erudite head of Summerfield College, renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge and multifaceted talents.
Uriah, a retired political figure, now celebrated for his culinary genius and impressive agility.
And Thomas, a former hacker and racing prodigy known for his love of tinkering with gadgets.
The assembled journalists were agog, hardly believing their luck at catching so many luminaries in one place!
They swarmed towards the men, microphones thrust forward.
"Mr. Eugene, we've heard whispers of a favored protégé. Any truth to the rumors? Might we have a name?" one reporter asked eagerly.
"Sir, whose invitation swayed you to grace the Collins family's press event with your presence?" inquired another.
"Mr. Nelson, when might the world be graced with your latest masterpiece?"
"What's the big reveal from the Collins family today? Any hints?"
The questions flew thick and fast, but the gentlemen simply smiled benevolently. One of them, in a warm voice, teased, "All in good time, my friends. All in good time."
As they watched the dignified retreat of the group, the internet was already in a frenzy. Whether it was the Collins family's clout or the McMillian family's pull that had gathered such esteemed individuals, it
was a marvel indeed—a testament to connections and influence!
Then, another procession of high-end sedans arrived, stopping in an impressive display at the hotel's doorstep.
The bodyguards exited first, forming two neat lines, as a chauffeur stepped out to open the car door for a young lady.
She emerged in a stunning gown, her features delicate and eyes sparkling with vitality. Her neck was adorned with a regal tiara necklace, layered above a necklace of deep sea blue, both jewels sitting on
her porcelain skin as if they were made just for her.
"Who is she?"
"Does anyone know her identity?"
"Look at her neck! What is she wearing?"
"That's Shirley's heirloom tiara necklace and Mrs. McMillian's sapphire piece—never thought they'd look so good layered together!"
"Didn't Shirley and Mrs. McMillian say earlier? Those necklaces are for Romeo's fiancée. But who is this girl?"
Rosemary stepped forward, and the tall, noble Romeo emerged from another vehicle.
He and the five dashing Collins boys approached the girl, meticulously adjusting her gown, as they followed her in a protective entourage, like knights escorting their one and only princess.
Her beauty was almost too much, her skin fairer than snow, and her eyes shone with a pride and coldness that was mesmerizing.
The journalists were struck dumb, and even the seasoned photographers forgot to snap pictures, all wondering about the identity of this mysterious girl.