"What are you talking about, Louisa? Leena and Gerard are friends. I know they hang out together but that doesn't mean they have a tryst. Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?" Claire defended Leena, thinking that Louisa was being too unreasonable. Everything had a hidden meaning for her.
"Come on, Claire. Don't be silly. You're being jerked around. Don't you know why she gave you a bank card with so much money on it? Gifts blind the eyes. Anyone perceptive enough can see that she wants to shut you up so that you don't tell Kevin what you see. Don't you get it?" Louisa took a tissue and gently wiped the water stains on her face, lest her impeccable makeup be ruined.
"What? That can't be true. You're thinking too much, Louisa. As far as I can see, she's not capable of scheming. It won't do her any good anyway." Claire glanced at Leena with a hesitant look in her eyes. She didn't believe that her sister-in-law was a cunning fox anymore. Her opinion had changed after spending so much time with Leena. She knew that Leena had a good heart. At least she never talked about others behind their backs, like the way Louisa did.
"We are outsiders. How would we know whether it does her good or not? Only Leena knows that. She's the one who serves the devil," Louisa said and cocked an eyebrow in Leena's direction, obviously trying to provoke her. However, Leena turned a deaf ear to Louisa's words. She refilled her cup and whispered to Gerard as if she didn't hear a word of what Louisa said. Revenge was often like biting a dog in return after it bit you. Leena chose to take Louisa's attempted provocation with calm. She didn't want to bother arguing with the likes of her. Louisa realized that she had failed to get a reaction out of Leena. She fumed, looking down her nose at the others.
"Mignonne, do you know? Bella promised to participate in the show because of you." Gerard didn't have the slightest idea what the girls were talking about, but he could tell from the hostile atmosphere that they were at daggers drawn. He was relieved to see that Leena was glad to talk to him even in such a situation.
"Really? She did that because of me? Why?" Leena looked at Gerard in amazement. She knew Bella liked and thought highly of her. They saw each other some time ago, so Bella shouldn't miss her so soon.
"Uh huh. Maybe she wants to help you rise to fame at home. Many people have heard of LN FASHION, but its designer is barely known in this country." Gerard gave her a bright smile. Leena's talent was known by one and all in France, but it was a secret in her own country. He found it very ironic.
"Did she tell you that?" Leena frowned. Truth be told, she didn't want to be a well-known figure. It would be troublesome and she preferred to keep a low profile. However, once Bella resolved to do something, Leena could do nothing to change her mind. No matter how reluctant Leena was, she had to obey Bella. In any case, what Bella wanted to do was for her own good. Leena saw no reason to refuse her offer.
"No, but the goal is obvious. You know, she has never participated in small talent shows before. But she promised the organizer she'd attend this one just because you're in this city." Gerard was very familiar with Bella. Wealthy men like him were the favorites of the fashion industry. They had the wealth to buy luxury goods every year, which was the reason why many designers wanted to suck up to them. If the Blanc Group bought goods from them all year round, these fashion brands would gather a fortune.
Maybe she ate too many abalones and is sick of them. She must want to eat something different, like apples and oranges. Yes, she wants to experience something different this time." Leena joked. She didn't want to face up to reality and so tried to find excuses to comfort herself. If Bella arrived here, the secret that Leena had been trying to hide for so long would be out in the open for everyone to see. What was worse, her brother would be outraged. She never mentioned to him that she had her own line of clothes.
"What are you talking about? I don't get it," Gerard said with curiosity, unable to understand her words.
"Ah! You don't need to know. It's just a local saying around here." With her head down, Leena blinked rapidly and wondered what she could do. Louisa was long forgotten.
What are you two talking about? It's funny to listen to you two talk in a language that I don't understand." Claire had been eavesdropping on the conversation between Leena and Gerard, but failed to comprehend what they were saying.
Don't you know? It wouldn't be a secret if you could understand what they were saying. As I pointed out before, there is something going on between these two. But you didn't believe me. Don't fall into this trap," Louisa chipped in before Leena could answer. She was bored with Leena snubbing her.
"I don't believe you! How is that possible? Come on, Louisa. Cool down." Claire felt helpless. She had promised Kevin to be on friendly terms with Leena, so she didn't want to worsen her relations with Leena again.