Chapter 494: Chapter 489: Unable to Step Down
“A marriage alliance?” Carter Harrison smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Our family isn’t so poor that you’d have to enter into a marriage alliance. Besides, Ethan Hopkins already has a fiancée, and our family is better off than theirs. I won’t let you marry beneath us.”

Grace Harrison furrowed her brow.

Not marrying beneath meant that she would have to find someone wealthier than her family.

For some reason, Grace suddenly thought of someone.

He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a gentle and refined smile, making him appear friendly, yet aloof and hard to approach like a snow lotus on a high mountain.

She remembered that every time she posted on her friends circle, he would like her posts and occasionally ask about her well-being.

She thought of Damian Thompson’s status and sighed.

Although her family’s situation had improved, it still wasn’t a match for him, right?

“Grace.” Alicia Taylor came to her side. “Why don’t you tell your Uncle and Aunt that you like Damian Thompson?”

“I… don’t dare,” Grace’s eyes flickered.

If she told her father that she liked Damian Thompson, he would definitely try every means to bring her and Damian together, making it look like she was after him, which was not what she wanted.

Although pursuing Damian was her initiative, she became apprehensive once she discovered their true identities.

Especially Vivian Wilson, who was his upcoming bride and soon-to-be assistant. When the two of them inevitably grew closer, she could only cry and lament if anything happened between them.

Seeing her friend’s hesitation, Alicia Taylor kept silent, but still couldn’t help but worry.

At that moment,

by the staircase of the banquet hall, Gillian Thompson stood next to a noblewoman, her smile easy and composed, but hints of fear and anxiety lingered in her eyes as she occasionally glanced at the noblewoman beside her.

The noblewoman was Ethan Hopkins’s mother.

“Mrs. Hopkins, I heard that your future daughter-in-law is Molly Walker’s sister. Is that true?”

“Molly Walker is no ordinary woman. She’s now Stephen Crane’s heir. Her future prospects are immeasurable.”

“Yes, Mrs. Hopkins, you’re really lucky.”

These women gathered together, praising Madam Xiao to the sky.

Madam Xiao accepted their flattery with a smile.

“Yes, Ivy is Molly’s sister. Although the internet says they don’t have a good relationship, Ivy just recently introduced Gillian to a job with the ‘W’ organization, which proves that their sisterly bond is strong.”

“I heard that your company encountered some problems recently. If Ivy steps in, she could probably resolve them quickly, right?”

Unexpectedly, a voice chimed in.

Madam Xiao didn’t say anything and glanced at Gillian involuntarily.

This was precisely what she and her husband were thinking.

When Ethan and Gillian were together, they informed the Hopkins family of Gillian’s identity. For a while, Ivy was just in the “W” organization and at most had connections with the Jenkins and Gallagher families. They were more attracted to Gillian’s status as the daughter of Nanyang’s wealthiest family.

But now, there was also Ivy.

These days, Ivy’s value had been skyrocketing, and even the Thompson family’s stock prices had risen.

Despite Ivy claiming to be surnamed Walker, everybody knew Molly Walker was Ivy Thompson.

In the past, she would be ignored at banquets, but now, by merely bringing Gillian along, the crowd was flocking to her. This stark contrast left her feeling both uncomfortable and gratified.

Gillian had also not expected to become so popular.

She was just a washed-up foster daughter, yet she was so warmly welcomed—who wouldn’t hold Molly in high regard?

“Miss Thompson, if you and Molly have such a good relationship, then she wouldn’t let anything bad happen to the Hopkins family, right? If you ask for her help, she would definitely give it, wouldn’t she?”

The voice appeared again.

Gillian looked in the direction of the voice and her head buzzed. It was none other than Lucy Thompson.

Lucy crossed her arms, leisurely watching her, making the situation even more uncomfortable for Gillian. She appeared to be here to enjoy the show, not treating Gillian as family.

In the past, Lucy would rush to curry favor; now, she played the role of a spectator, as if she had come to enjoy watching Gillian get ridiculed.

“Lucy, are you enjoying my misfortune?” Gillian approached her, lowered her voice, and threatened, “Don’t think that just because I’m not part of the Thompson family anymore, I can’t take care of you.”

Lucy Thompson snorted softly, “How can you manage me when you’re no longer part of the Thompson family? Gillian Thompson, you’re not what you used to be; your value has fallen sharply. I don’t have to curry favor with you, and your threats are useless to me.”

Gillian’s face changed, and she looked at Lucy hatefully.

“Gillian, who is this…?” Madam Xiao glanced at Lucy, puzzled by the subtle undercurrent between them.

Gillian’s eyes twitched, explaining before Lucy could speak, “This is Lucy Thompson, a distant relative of our family.”

With that sentence, Lucy’s identity was crushed down to the dust.

Lucy laughed lightly, “Yes, I am a distant relative, unlike cousin Gillian and cousin Ivy, who get along well. Auntie, don’t believe the rumors outside. She and Ivy are really close. If you have anything that needs her help, I guarantee she will do it even better.”

Gillian’s face changed again, understanding the hidden meaning behind her words.

It was a sly tactic to undermine her!

If Ethan Hopkins’s mother really entrusted her with something and she failed to accomplish it, she would lose her trust.

But with so many people around, she couldn’t directly refute it. Was she supposed to say in front of everyone that she and Ivy Thompson are almost enemies?

How could she mix in the Hopkins family in the future then?

Facing Lucy’s undermining tactics, Gillian smiled wordlessly, almost grinding her teeth.

After Lucy left, Madam Xiao already had her calculations and answers in mind.

“Since you and Ivy are so close, why did the cohabitation not work out?” Madam Xiao asked the question she had always wanted to ask, puzzled.

Gillian remained silent, her lips turning pale.

Ethan, for her sake, had not told the Hopkins family about her falling out with Molly Walker.

Now that she was asked directly by Ethan’s mother, Gillian’s lips quivered, unsure how to answer.

Should she say that she was rejected by Molly Walker?

Just as she felt awkward and uncomfortable, a girl dressed as a servant came running over and said warmly, “Madam and Miss are here and asked if you would like to go to the small room for tea.”

At this moment, the atmosphere around them became subtle.

No wonder people connected with the Thompson family were invited separately by Tian Dazhuang’s wife.

You should know that everyone who came today came to please Tian Dazhuang’s family.

Madam Xiao was not surprised and smiled warmly at Gillian, “Let’s go over.”

Gillian nodded, thinking to herself that when she met Tian Dazhuang’s daughter later, she would definitely try to please her.

She used to be good at handling relationships in the socialite circle, and most people would give her some face. She heard that Miss Tian had always felt her family was poor and was innocent, kind-hearted, and humble.

Such people, she was most skilled at handling.

As long as she became good friends with Miss Tian, she could secure her footing in the Hopkins family.

She followed Ethan’s mother to the door, and suddenly, Ethan’s mother stopped and told her, “Tian Dazhuang’s daughter is also your schoolmate.”

“Schoolmate?” Gillian was slightly surprised, not expecting that Tian Dazhuang’s daughter would have this connection with her.

“Yes. Since I knew you two were schoolmates, I brought you along for the occasion. You young people have something in common.” Thinking of something, Huo Yanting’s mother added, “That girl is innocent, and her temperament is not bad. Maybe you even know each other.”

Gillian’s eyes twitched heavily.

However, the next second, Ethan’s mother’s words rang like a bomb in her ears:

“Oh, right, her name is Grace Harrison.”

“Grace Harrison?!” Gillian’s voice suddenly turned sharp.

Grace Harrison, Tian Dazhuang’s daughter, was that rural girl?!

Grace Harrison’s family background was so good?!

How could it be?!

There was no way!

Hearing her sudden scream, Ethan’s mother raised her eyebrows, “What, do you two really know each other?”