Chapter 2 Slap That b***h!
956 Words
New York City, Gracewood Hotel banquet hall.
The guests gathered in clusters, buzzing with gossip about the Cresswell family.
"I heard tonight is Mr. Cresswell's 60th birthday bash, and the real eldest lady of the Cresswell family will be here!"
"I thought Regina was the only daughter of the Cresswell family?"
"Nah, the actual eldest daughter is Allison. She's three months older than Regina. Word is, her mom died when she was three, and her dad despised her afterward. He sent Allison to the countryside to be fostered. Byron has been missing his granddaughter, though, and figures he'll bring her back to the city on his birthday. But get this, I hear she was expelled from school last year for fighting."
"Small-town girl, huh? Probably rough around the edges and lacks manners."
Regina eavesdropped on her guests' discussions, feeling overjoyed inside. She was sure Allison wouldn't come tonight, and even if she did, Regina would make sure she regretted it.
The banquet was about to start. Regina raised her champagne flute in a silent toast, but a voice behind her made her freeze. "Ms. Cresswell!"
Her meticulously made-up face twisted briefly but quickly returned to normal. Allison couldn't possibly be here, so she was the only lady of the Cresswell family!
Meanwhile, in the hallway outside the Jade Grand Hotel's banquet hall, Byron was berating the chauffeur assigned to Allison. "I told you to take her straight to the hall! Why did you let her out of the car halfway?"
The chauffeur hung his head, muttering, "Ms. Cresswell said she'd never seen a big city before and wanted to have a look around. I tried to stop her, but she threatened to jump out of the car, so I had no choice."
His words weren't exactly quiet, and many in the room overheard.
Opinions of Allison quickly soured.
Suddenly, a stir at the door drew everyone's attention.
It was Allison!
She casually walked in, immediately capturing everyone's attention. People started pointing and whispering about her.
Allison, young and gorgeous, radiated a "don't mess with me" vibe.
Regina instantly recognized her. She had seen photos, but Allison in person was even more breathtaking, making her feel jealous.
The nerve of her! Swooping in to claim the title of the Cresswell family's eldest lady the moment she returned, and why she could be so stunning?
Who the hell did she think she was? Regina wouldn't let her have it easy!
But wait, wasn't Allison supposed to be occupied at the hotel right now?
Pushing down her disgust, Regina plastered on a smile and linked arms with Allison. "Darling sister, I know you have never been here and you're eager to explore the town, but today is Grandpa's birthday celebration. How could you keep everyone waiting for you?"
Allison smirked. Regina had just managed to insult her twice in a single breath, saying she was ignorant and rude.
Allison instinctively tried to shake off her hand, but Regina clung to her arm tightly. She forced Allison to stand together, highlighting her as a well-mannered lady.
The room erupted in mocking giggles and whispers as soon as Regina finished speaking.
Allison shot a cold glance at her, narrowing her eyes. "Regina?"
Regina met Allison's gaze and lifted her delicate face with a smug smirk.
She wanted everyone to see how much better she was than this poor Allison, to humiliate Allison and drive her out of the Cresswell family!
But before Regina could react, Allison slapped her across the face, twice.
The stinging pain on her face left Regina momentarily stunned.
Had Allison really dared to hit her in front of all these people!?
Regina was out of luck. Allison had zero tolerance for manipulative, two-faced people like her.
Allison's stepmom, Lauren Creswell, stormed over, pulling Regina into her arms. "Allison, how could you hit your sister?"
Allison faced the accusing stares of the Cresswells. "I don't like her," she said calmly. "What's wrong?"
Her arrogant attitude caused a ripple of murmurs among the guests.
Regina, meanwhile, played the victim. She bit her lip and looked pitiful, garnering even more sympathy. "What did I do, Allison? Just tell me, and I'll fix it."
Holden Creswell spoke up, his face livid, "Apologize to your sister. Now!"
Allison looked coldly at the man who couldn't wait to marry his mistress just three days after her mother's death. "Apologize?" she scoffed. "You should be grateful that today is Grandpa's birthday banquet, or she'd have gotten a lot worse than a couple of slaps."
Holden raised his hand, ready to strike Allison.
"Enough!" an elderly voice scolded. "Allison is my granddaughter. Who dares to hit her?"
Holden's chest was filled with rage as he turned to see Byron, supported by his servant, standing up for Allison.
Allison had barely arrived and already slapped his favorite daughter. Holden couldn't let her challenge his authority. "Dad, you didn't see what she just did!"
Byron's face hardened. "She is your own daughter. You are going to hit her for an outsider?"
Lauren's eyes reddened with fury. "Dad, I'm Holden's wife. Aren't you way out of line? And don't forget, Regina is your granddaughter too!"
This was Byron's birthday banquet, after all, so Holden held Lauren back and turned to Allison. "We'll deal with you later."
As Regina left with Lauren, a malicious glint flickered in her eyes. If Allison had the guts to slap her, Regina would make her pay dearly!
No matter how Allison had managed to escape her previous trap, this time, Regina would make sure Allison was humiliated.
"Don't screw this up," Regina hissed at the person behind her. "Stick with the plan. If this falls apart again, you can kiss your payout goodbye."
- Writer
