บท 5: Turmoil at the Coming-of-Age Banquet（2）
In the banquet hall, Hannah signaled to the maid, who then followed her with a tray of drinks and approached Ella. Hannah and the maid exchanged a covert glance to identify the spiked drink, then Hannah picked up that glass and handed it to Ella while the maid discreetly withdrew.
"Sister, today is your coming-of-age ceremony. I toast to you." Hannah's face was all smiles, but her eyes harbored a hint of malice.
Ella looked at the glass in front of her, inwardly scoffing, knowing there was something wrong with it. She accepted the glass but didn't drink immediately.
Hannah's eyes were fixed on the glass, eagerly waiting for Ella to drink and embarrass herself.
Just then, Ella pretended to absentmindedly brush her hair, causing her earring to fall. "Oh no, my earring!"
Hannah quickly set her drink down and offered, "Sister, your strapless dress makes it difficult for you. Let me get it." As she bent down to pick up the earring, Ella swiftly and silently switched their glasses.
Hannah handed the earring back to Ella, inwardly sneering, Soon you'll be the one humiliated!
"Thank you, sister." Ella smiled, putting the earring back on. She then raised her glass and drank the champagne in one go, smiling as she said, "Sister, I've finished. Your turn."
Believing Ella had fallen into her trap, Hannah happily downed her champagne, a smug smile spreading across her face as she waited for Ella to react.
However, Hannah soon began to feel increasingly hot and dizzy. She tugged at her collar, feeling unbearably warm.
Hannah's face turned red, her breathing became rapid, and her consciousness began to blur. She realized she had mistakenly drunk the spiked champagne.
But how? She had handed the drink to Ella herself. Did she mix them up somehow?
Her body felt like it was on fire, with pain and heat intertwining, making it impossible for Hannah to think clearly.
She started frantically tugging at her dress, trying to cool down.
Guests were startled by her actions, pausing and staring at her in shock.
Hannah, now completely irrational, began shouting curses, "Ella, you bitch! Why is everything good yours? Why do you have everything while I have nothing?"
Her voice was sharp, filled with jealousy and resentment, piercing the ears of everyone around.
The guests were stunned, their mouths agape, as Brianna's face turned pale. She rushed forward, trying to restrain Hannah.
"Hannah, stop! What are you doing?" Brianna's voice was filled with anger and panic as she grabbed Hannah's arm, attempting to drag her back to the room.
Hannah, however, struggled wildly, screaming, "Ella, you bitch! Why do you always stand above everyone? I will take everything from you, make you a pauper, leave you with nothing, and...!"
Brianna quickly covered Hannah's mouth, forcing a strained smile. "She's drunk, just drunk and acting crazy. Please, don't take her seriously. I'll take her downstairs right away."
Ella stood nearby, a cold smile flickering across her face before it transformed into a concerned expression. She stepped forward and said softly, "Mommy, what's wrong with Hannah? Is she feeling unwell?"
Hannah couldn't listen and continued her tirade of curses. Her voice grew louder, attracting more guests.
Brianna, mortified and furious, felt her reputation crumbling. She yanked Hannah up, dragging her toward the room.
Ella followed them, feigning concern. "Mommy, let me come with you. Hannah really doesn't look well."
Brianna shot her a fierce glare but didn't refuse. She knew that any opposition now would only fuel more suspicion. She struggled to maintain her composure, one hand tightly gripping Hannah, the other covering her mouth to stop her from spewing more nonsense.
As they passed the large cake table, Ella seized the opportunity and subtly stepped on the hem of Hannah's dress. Already unsteady, Hannah tripped and fell, pulling Brianna down with her into the enormous cake.
The cake collapsed with a splatter, sending cream and crumbs flying everywhere. The guests gasped in shock, and the entire hall erupted into chaos.
Brianna and Hannah lay amidst the cake ruins, covered in cream and crumbs, looking utterly ridiculous and embarrassed.
Ella covered her mouth as if in surprise at the scene, but a glint of satisfaction sparkled in her eyes. She immediately stepped forward, feigning concern. "Mommy, Hannah, are you both okay?"
Brianna, trembling with rage, struggled to get up from the floor, looking around at the gawking guests with humiliation and fury. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "We're going back to the room."
Hannah, still dazed, was pulled to her feet, her face a mix of confusion and anger, still muttering curses at Ella.
Security quickly arrived, helping Brianna drag Hannah out of the hall. Brianna's meticulously made-up face was pale, her chest heaving with indignation.
Wasn't the plan executed perfectly? How did things suddenly turn out like this? Could there have been a mistake, and it was her daughter who drank the spiked drink instead of that little bitch Ella? But there was no time to think about it now. The priority was to get Hannah back to the room and have the family doctor treat her.
Brianna, suppressing her fury, dragged a disheveled Hannah out of the banquet hall.
Ella stood where she was, watching their retreating figures, feeling a rush of satisfaction. She knew she had successfully humiliated Brianna and Hannah in front of everyone. This was just the beginning of her revenge.
The guests began to whisper among themselves, their gazes filled with mockery and curiosity.
"That Brianna always boasts about how well she treats her stepdaughter, claiming she gives Ella everything her own daughter doesn't have! But tonight, Hannah had a meltdown in public!"
"Maybe she only treats her stepdaughter well on the surface. Who knows how much Ella has suffered in the Davis family?"
"Isn't that young Davis girl usually so elegant? But she spoke the truth after getting drunk this time!"
"Exactly, drunken words are sober thoughts! It shows her true character!"
...
Eric and Brian stood at a distance, having witnessed Ella's subtle act of stepping on Hannah's dress.
Brian remarked with amusement, "Wow, I didn't expect that girl to have such tricks up her sleeve."
Eric smirked and chuckled, "It seems this banquet is much more interesting than we anticipated. That little girl is quite intriguing."
Brian noticed Eric's unwavering gaze on Ella and teased, "Eric, don't tell me you're interested in that girl?"
Eric replied softly, "Just find her quite interesting."
From the moment Hannah toasted Ella, he had been watching their actions and thoughts closely. He didn't believe for a second that Ella had accidentally switched the drinks, which indicated she knew someone was plotting against her.
This girl was indeed clever. The scene just now made everyone think she was a poor victim, but Eric saw her cunning and intelligence.
"No wonder Brianna, a once unremarkable actress, managed to marry into a wealthy family and maintain such a perfect image of a virtuous wife and mother!" Brian mocked.
...
Mrs. Taylor comforted Ella, "I had no idea that after your mother passed away, you were living such a hard life in the Davis family. Poor child, you've suffered."
Ella held Mrs. Taylor's hand and said, "I'm fine, Aunt Taylor. You don't need to worry about me. The moment I saw you, I felt a connection. Honestly, you feel like a dear sister to me. You look so young, more like a sister than an aunt."
Seeing how well-behaved Ella was, Mrs. Taylor smiled warmly. "Your biological mother and I were best friends. After she passed away, I went abroad and only recently returned. If you ever have any difficulties, let me know. I'll do everything I can to help you."
"Thank you, Aunt Taylor!"
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