"Yes she was, she has wounds all over her body, and she's completely and utterly super exhausted which made her unconscious. If not for the stranger that intervened, they would have succeeded in their vicious plan."
"Did you say someone saved her? I thought the guards did."
"No mom, a stranger did save her and not me or the guards. At the time we got there, she has been extricated. The sad thing was that I did not even get to see his face or thank him for his humanity. I know Almighty sent him there to liberate her from those thugs. He handed her to us and left before we could utter a word."
"In times of need, the heavens use people like him to assist us. Now, let's not think too much about it and concentrate on Annabel, ensure that she gets well sooner."
"Yes mom, Annie, needs us now. I won't ever again, expose her to such danger."
"We will be more careful in the future. Go to her and let me handle her family. I will have to convince them to let us keep her here for tonight."
"That's why I love you mom, you are the best."
"You are my daughter, I will do anything to see you happy." Said her mom, as she was about to leave the room, she veered and asked,
"Mom, no one knows what went wrong tonight, right?"
"Yes, my dear, I made sure to keep it away from everyone, you need not worry. I have to go now, they must have found out about my absence at the party."
"Okay mom, you take care of everything while I attend to Annabel."
They nodded to each other in consensus and departed.
Annabel was having a peaceful deep sleep, at the moment in her bedroom. She called their family doctor over to treat her wounds and of course, prescribe some drugs for a pain reliever.
Looking at her friend, she could tell that she's in intense pain.
The doctor arrived a few minutes later, he took the back gate to conceal his presence. If someone spots him, it could be fatal to Annabel especially her stepmother.
At the party hall, the birthday celebration was no longer far from being over. Just as she said she would, she took care of everything.
Afterward, she approached Olivia to persuade her to let her daughter's friend pass the night at their place.
On reaching there; at the spot she was standing, she asks, "Mrs. Fazer, may I talk to you for a second?" Said Mrs. Johnson.
This caught Olivia's attention just like she had intended. "Yes, Mrs. Johnson, how may I help you? I hope all is well? I asked because you don't look good."
"No it's nothing like that, I am fine. I just want to make a request."
Olivia has long prayed for this, a way to establish a serious relationship with the Johnson's. Granting this request of hers could make them owe her a favor in the future. But she's curious to know what it is that she has that the Johnson's can't afford.
She hopes to have the capability to grant such requests. "I really hope I can grant your request."
"Of course you can, I wouldn't ask for something that is above your aptitude." Says Mrs. Johnson.
"Alright then, let's hear it." Olivia finally said she was eager to know what it is that troubles her so much.
"Can I request you to let your elder daughter stay here tonight? My daughter has fallen ill, she needs someone dear to her to look after her. As a mother, I offered to do that, but she refused, she said she wants her best friend, Annabel to do so."
"Oh goodness! That's so sad to hear, I'm so sorry that it happened on a day like this; on your birthday. May I see her, to console her."
"The thing is that she doesn't want to be sympathized with by anyone. She detests such gestures. And she wouldn't want to be disturbed when spending time with her friend."
"Oh! She's already with her, that's good. I will let her stay and look after your daughter as a good friend would until she gets better." Olivia was somewhat hesitant, but she had to do this for them, not because she's generous but because she wants to be in the good books of the Johnson's. And with this little favor of hers, she could request something bigger in exchange for it in the future.
She has made herself their benefactor. Her lips slightly curved into a mischievous smile at the thought of that.
"That's so generous of you, thank you, Mrs. Fazer. I will remember this favor." She says as she embraced her.
'Of course, you will, even if you don't remember, I will remind you of it.' She thought. Mrs. Johnson is familiar with her nature. She knows what she's capable of and hopes she doesn't ask for her life in the future.
The birthday party was a success, everything went well both in her absence and presence. Her guests had fun just like she had aimed at. It's almost midnight, the guests have commenced departure. Some came to her, to offer the gifts that they brought with them to the party and bid her adieu as they leave for their respective home.
Outside the decorated hall, the sudden movement caught Sophia's attention, and she hurriedly says her goodbye to Robbin and left to look for her family. She found her mom, next to Mrs. Johnson, and went to her.
Samuel was still with Vivian, they exchanged contact and hope to meet each other again. Olivia saw the duo, she's happy that her son has good taste. Initially, she wants Victoria to be the one, but miss Vivian is no less rich. If he chose Miss Stone, she has no issue with it.
For some reason, Olivia wasn't knowledgeable of Mr. Stone's true nature and how dangerous it is for them.