Charles was not far away. Eleanor quickly swapped the wine glasses in front of them. But Emily didn't notice any of these small movements. Was it because she was so confident in her victory that she let her guard down, or did she think Eleanor was so foolish that she posed no threat?
In just ten minutes, Olivia hurried in with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, accompanied by a servant.
"Emily, if your stomach is upset, you should eat something."
Emily sniffed at the soup but only picked up her chopsticks and played with them absentmindedly.
"Aunt Olivia's cooking has really gone downhill since the time she made it for my mother when she was seriously ill. Forget it, I won't eat it."
With that, she picked up her wine glass and raised it to her lips.
"Come on, let's toast to my upcoming happy life."
Olivia's face turned red with anger. This stepdaughter was treating her like a servant in front of her own servant, even bringing up the days when she had served her and her mother!
But at least Eleanor drank the wine, and their goal had been achieved! Olivia forced a gentle smile and raised her glass with Emily.
"Today was a bit rushed, but next time, Auntie will make something special for you. Here's to your happiness."
Eleanor raised her glass as well, and the three of them downed their drinks in unison.
After finishing her drink, Eleanor took out her phone from her purse and sent a message to Charles, who was not far away:
"Can you help me bring Cathy over here?"
As she crossed the crowd, Eleanor could clearly see the expression on Charles's face after receiving the message: complicated, puzzled, even suspicious. But soon, he nodded at her and walked away.
Most of the guests had arrived, and Mr. Carter sat at the head of the table. Emily was already impatient, calculating the time when the medicine would take effect, and urging Eleanor.
Eleanor walked towards her grandfather and handed him the box in her hand.
"Grandpa, this is a gift from Charles and me."
Mr. Carter seemed very happy and laughed heartily.
"Oh? You and Charles? Can I understand that you can now represent the Harrison family?"
He was just teasing his favorite grandson, but his words had a different meaning to others. Their conversation quickly attracted the attention of most people.
Emily was overjoyed. Things were developing better than she had expected.
If Grandpa Carter got angry and blamed the Harrison family, it would only make Eleanor's situation more difficult.
Emily interrupted, "Yes, Grandpa, this gift was carefully prepared by my sister. She said it has a special meaning for you. Why don't you open it and take a look?"
As she spoke, she couldn't wait to open the gift box.
Representing the Harrison family's gift! Everyone was a little curious.
Mr. Carter smiled and took the gift box, slowly opening it.
Emily was ecstatic in her heart, constantly looking at her watch. The good show was finally about to begin!
However, when Mr. Carter saw what was inside the box, his expression froze, and his fingers trembled slightly. The whole room fell silent, with everyone craning their necks to see what was inside the box, which was unfortunately blocked from view due to its height.
Emily wore a victorious smile, waiting for Mr. Carter's anger and for Eleanor to be completely disgraced.
When Mr. Carter raised his hand, Emily's expression froze.
How could it be a painting? And such a simple one at that, folded up without even any packaging?
The whole room erupted in commotion.
Although Eleanor was Mr. Carter's granddaughter, the gift she gave on behalf of the Harrison family at Mr. Carter's birthday was undoubtedly a disgrace.
"Is Eleanor crazy? How could she give such a thing on such an occasion? Isn't she just embarrassing the Harrison family?"
"That's right, I heard she's not quite right in the head, so it's not surprising that she would do something so shameful!"
"Exactly, I thought it was going to be something good, but I was disappointed!"
A cold cough sounded, and it was Charles. These people looked up and saw Charles's sinister gaze, immediately shutting their mouths.
Eleanor ignored these taunts and smiled as she picked up the first of the three paintings.
"Grandfather, this is a scene my mother told me about, when she was 18 and you and grandmother were with her."
"This painting is my imagination of what it would be like for my mom, dad, and grandpa to celebrate my 18th birthday with me," Eleanor said, her voice slightly choked up.
Her mother's death was closely related to Olivia, and she would eventually seek revenge for it.
She then picked up the last painting. The colors were bright and gave off a soft and peaceful feeling. The painting depicted Eleanor's father, Mr. Carter, herself tightly nestled in Charles's embrace, and her grown-up daughter Cathy.
"In giving you this painting, I hope to give it as a gift to you, Charles, and Cathy on the occasion of your birthday celebration. I hope that our family can always be together. You are all the most important and beloved people in my life. I want to name this painting 'Eternal Love'," she said softly.
As she spoke, she looked up at the audience and saw Charles, who was holding their daughter, but she couldn't tell when he had arrived. He still had his usual cold expression, but she could see the tenderness in his eyes.
Since their marriage, this man had unconditionally tolerated all her little quirks and tantrums.
In her past life, no matter how reckless she was, Charles never left her side and even sacrificed his own legs for her.
This declaration of love in front of everyone undoubtedly announced their loving relationship.
Eleanor, what are you trying to do? Is this all just another one of your deceptions and schemes?
To leave him, she actually came up with such a method?
Cathy looked at her father and then at her mother with big eyes, suddenly giggling.
She pulled at Charles's thin lips with her little hand, trying to lift them up.
"Daddy, you should smile at Mommy too."
"You two are showing affection in front of so many people, it's really embarrassing!"
Charles looked at his wife on the stage, and his arm holding his daughter tightened slightly.