Amanda Jenkins untied the satin ribbon on the gift box.
How odd, she didn't know Lucas Griffin, the big shot at all; she had merely heard his name, and didn't even know what he looked like. Why would he send her a dress and personally invite her to a birthday banquet?
With confusion, Amanda Jenkins lifted the lid of the gift box.
Inside was an invitation to Mr. Griffin's birthday banquet—a gold card was included for scanning to enter the banquet.
Her name was written with a fountain pen on the invitation—Amanda Jenkins.
Amanda Jenkins rubbed her eyes; no mistake, it was her name, written in a bold and beautiful hand.
They really were inviting her!
Amanda Jenkins couldn't fathom why, clutching the invitation as she lay back on the bed, trying hard to search her memory but finding not even a trace of Lucas Griffin.
In previous years, for Mr. Griffin's birthday banquet, her father would take her mother and sister, leaving her out entirely.
Just then, Amanda Jenkins's phone rang. She tossed the invitation aside carelessly and answered the call.
"Amanda! I have great news!" The excited voice of her best friend Jesslyn Derei came through, "Your dad has designed a few charity pieces for Grandfather Griffin's birthday banquet, and he's letting me model them!"
Jesslyn's voice was filled with excitement. She was Amanda Jenkins's only close friend, having just graduated from the drama department of university.
"Then congratulations to you.," Amanda Jenkins sincerely felt happy for Jesslyn Derei.
Many bigshots from the business and political worlds, as well as moguls from the entertainment and fashion industries, would attend Benjamin Griffin's birthday banquet.
If Jesslyn Derei could seize this opportunity and a tycoon in the entertainment industry took a liking to her, she would be set for life.
"Amanda, you should come too; your sister goes every year anyway. If you don't have a dress, I could borrow one for you. I'm really nervous about being there, and it would be great if you could be by my side to cheer me on."
Amanda Jenkins glanced at the gift box on the table, "I... I'll try to make it."
For significant banquets, her father would always take her mother and Anastasia Jenkins. Her mother wouldn't prepare a dress for her, and she wasn't interested in attending those banquets anyway.
Thus, in Brocade City, everyone knew the Jenkins family had an elder daughter, but no one knew what she looked like.
Anastasia Jenkins, on the other hand, was a well-known famous socialite in Brocade City.
"Don't just try, just come, please? It's my first time on such a big stage, and you have to support me."
Unable to withstand Jesslyn Derei's persistent pleading, Amanda Jenkins nodded and agreed to go.
A little visit couldn't hurt, especially since she had recently made ten thousand yuan. She could relax a bit and also see what kind of dresses the famous ladies and wives preferred at the banquet, which might even inspire her graduation project.
After hanging up the phone, Amanda Jenkins took out the dress and examined it.
The pure white off-shoulder tailcoat dress was adorned with white feathers, its style simple yet sophisticated, and the details exquisitely elegant.
Amanda Jenkins really liked the design of this dress and was about to try it on, when suddenly someone pushed her door open.
"Amanda Jenkins, you're still sleeping!"
Anastasia Jenkins appeared at the door. In the Jenkins house, aside from Gavin Jenkins, no one else would knock before entering her room; she never received the basic respect.
Anastasia Jenkins was about to say something when she saw the dress in Amanda Jenkins's hand; her eyes lit up, "Wow, that's so pretty!"
She stepped forward, snatched the dress, and joy shone in her eyes, "Where did you get this?"
"I..."
Before Amanda Jenkins could say anything, Anastasia's face darkened, "Did Dad secretly give you money to buy it?"
"No, someone else gave it to me."
"Someone else? Who?" Anastasia Jenkins pressed, "How could you have wealthy friends? This dress isn't cheap!"
"This..."
"It's pointless now since I've seen it, and since I like it, it's mine now. It's just right for me as I was worrying about not having a pretty gown for Grandfather Griffin's birthday banquet." Anastasia, brimming with arrogant disregard, didn't give Amanda Jenkins a chance to speak.
"Since you like it, you can have it."
Amanda smiled and generously gave the dress away.
Over the years, Amanda had always given in to her sister.
However, her tolerance and generosity never received the slightest bit of gratitude from Anastasia.
"What do you mean 'give it to me'? Amanda Jenkins, don't get ahead of yourself. In the Jenkins Family, anything I lay my eyes on and like is mine!"
Amanda didn't want to talk with her anymore and lay back down on the bed.
"Just sleep soundly at home. You won't be accompanying dad to Grandfather Griffin's birthday banquet the day after tomorrow either. I warn you, don't even think about sneaking off. If you disgrace our Jenkins Family, you'll pay for it!" Anastasia gave Amanda a disdainful glance, "Alright, I'm tired of your nonsense; I'm going to try on the dress."
Happy with her gain, Anastasia left with the clothes, but as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Amanda, who had by then covered her head with the blanket.
"Oh! I almost forgot the very reason I came to you. The night after next, dad is having me present my design at the climax of Grandfather Griffin's birthday banquet. You, just wait and see me in the headlines. Ha ha ha... And remember, when you go out, don't ever say you're my sister. I find it embarrassing!"
After her boastful speech, Anastasia walked away with her head held high.
Only when her laughter and the sound of her high heels had faded away did Amanda uncover herself, look up at the crystal lamp on the ceiling, and let out a long sigh.
She wasn't angry, not in the slightest.
Having harbored her patience for so many years, just one more year and she could execute her plan. There was no point in falling out with Anastasia over such trivial matters.
Besides, recently a capricious wealthy man had been coming every day to Granny for clothes repairs.
Without a gown, she couldn't attend the banquet. So instead, it was just as well to earn some money.
It was a pity about the beautiful dress though. Anastasia could never embody the elegance that completed it; it was truly wasted on her.
......
On the day of Benjamin Griffin's birthday banquet, Gavin Jenkins left the house with Anastasia Jenkins and Yvonne Gough in the afternoon.
Amanda Jenkins stayed in her room, working on design sketches all afternoon.
That evening, with those three not at home, the Servant didn't prepare her dinner.
Accustomed to such treatment, Amanda indifferently made herself a bowl of noodles, ate, and then went to Granny's place.
However, after waiting at the Tailor shop for a long time, that "capricious wealthy person" didn't show up.
At Granny's, there were only two or three clothes needing mending, and Amanda quickly finished them, earning only 15 yuan. After deducting the round-trip bus fare, she was left with just 9 yuan.
Amanda felt somewhat disheartened as she returned home, locked her bedroom door, and picked up her phone to call the person she missed the most.
Just as she was about to make the call, Jesslyn Derei's call came through.
"Amanda! Where are you? I can't see you anywhere!" Jesslyn Derei's voice was frantic, "Hurry to the Griffin's Family to rescue me!"
"What happened? Talk to me slowly."