“Mom, I have put some plans in place to attend a banquet with Aunt Patricia tomorrow. Would you like to go with us?" Vivian broke the silence and changed the topic. Obviously, she was trying to please Julie.

“I can inform her in advance to make arrangements for an extra seat, if that's fine with you."

“The sponsor of the party has invited me. So I don't need anybody to take me there," Julie replied coldly. Prior to her daughter speaking to her, she looked excited because of the delicious meal she had.

ALL of a sudden, her good mood vanished into thin air.

“You've got to be kidding me, Mom!" Vivian couldn't hide her shock. "If that's the case, why didn't you tell me to go with you?"

She stared at her mother after the question.

It soon dawned on Vivian that her mother had been living in seclusion.

Although Julie was a very wealthy lady, she seldom attended social activities Like banquets. Vivian then wondered how many activities Julie must have refused to attend over the years.

Vivian felt that she would have had more resources and chances if her mother took her to these kinds of events to meet more big shots in the industry. The thought made her aggrieved and somewhat disappointed at her own mother.

Having no idea what her daughter was thinking, Julie asked Maria out of the blue, "Do you want to go to the party?

I can give you my invitation to the event, if you like. It could be fun."

Vivian couldn't believe her ears. Even Julie herself was surprised at her own words.

Maria had only been adopted for a couple of days. But she was already getting all this care and attention. Was all that really necessary?

“Mom, is it really appropriate for you to invite her to such a high-end party?" Vivian asked. Anger was seething within her.

“After all, she's from the countryside and is unfamiliar with the etiquettes of the upper class."

She looked at Julie and added in a loud voice, “Has it crossed your mind that if Maria goes to the banquet with your invitation and makes a fool of herself, she would end up disgracing yo

“Vivian, I'm not asking for your opinion," Julie said with a frown on her face.

Before she could said another word, Maria declined her offer.

"I don't need your invitation. If there is nothing else, please don't disturb me. You are really noisy."

She shut the door without minding the reaction of her newly adopted mother and sister. Therefore both of them were locked outside.

Julie and Vivian Looked at each other. They were astounded by what just happened. How could she dare to do such a thing given that she had just recently become a member of the Jenkins family?

“At least, she's sensible enough to know where she is not wanted. The party is not for someone like her." Vivian sneered and felt much better.

She wanted to hold Julie's arm and act like a spoiled child. But her hand was gently pushed away.

"Mom, it's a good thing that she refused to go. Otherwise, she would have made a scene and embarrassed you." Apparently, Vivian was still disgruntled. She continued to speak ill of Maria.

“She is my daughter and your sister now. So you must mind what you say about her," Julie replied. "If others hear such remarks from you, they will laugh at our family."