As the banquet commenced, the master of ceremonies took the stage, delivering a warm and eloquent opening speech. The anticipation in the room heightened as the guest of honor, the celebrated figure whose birthday they were all gathered to celebrate, finally made his appearance.
Though he appeared to be just an ordinary elderly man, those who knew him were well aware of his immense influence and the countless disciples he had mentored over the years. In the political sphere, many prominent figures had once been his students, and they held him in the highest regard. His status was on par with that of Emma's grandfather—a man of great power and respect.
The old man took the stage with a humble smile, expressing his gratitude to everyone for attending. The guests listened attentively as he spoke, their admiration for him evident in their eyes. After his brief speech, the waitstaff began serving the first course, and the banquet officially started.
But just as the evening seemed to be settling into the usual rhythm of small talk and dining, something unexpected happened. The old man, while scanning the crowd, suddenly paused, his eyes widening slightly in recognition. He spotted Shirley, who appeared calm and composed as always, but there was something in her demeanor that caught his attention.
The old man's expression shifted to one of pleasant surprise as he made his way across the room toward her. The crowd watched in silent curiosity, wondering what connection Shirley could possibly have with such a distinguished figure. When he reached her, the old man greeted her warmly.
" Shirley, my dear, it's been quite some time," the old man said, his voice filled with genuine affection. "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight."
Shirley smiled politely, inclining her head slightly. "It's good to see you too, Mr. Wu. I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
The old man's eyes then shifted to Emma, standing quietly by Shirley's side. His smile broadened as he took in the sight of her, and without hesitation, he extended his hand.
"And who might this be?" he asked, though it was clear he already had some idea.
Before Emma could respond, Shirley smoothly introduced her. "This is my dear friend, Emma. She's like family to me."
Mr. Wu's smile deepened, and he nodded approvingly. "Any friend of Shirley's is a friend of mine." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek business card, handing it to Emma with a warm grin. "Emma, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call. It would be my pleasure to help you."
The gesture left the entire room stunned, especially Emma's stepmother and the fake heiress, who watched the scene unfold with barely concealed envy and resentment. The fake heiress's earlier smugness evaporated, replaced by a scowl as she glared at Emma, who was now receiving the kind of attention she had always craved for herself.
Emma, still somewhat taken aback by the sudden turn of events, accepted the card with both hands, offering a respectful bow. "Thank you very much, Mr. Wu. I'm honored by your generosity."
Shirley, observing the interaction, remained composed, her expression suggesting that this level of respect and recognition was nothing out of the ordinary for her. Emma couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about Shirley's true identity and connections. However, she knew that this was neither the time nor the place to ask such questions.
Instead, Emma smiled gracefully and said, "Thank you again for the lovely evening, Mr. Wu. It's a privilege to be here."
Mr. Wu chuckled softly. "The privilege is mine, my dear. Enjoy the banquet." With that, he gave her a reassuring nod and turned to greet other guests, leaving Emma and Shirley to themselves.
As Mr. Wu walked away, Shirley leaned closer to Emma, her voice low but teasing. "Well, you certainly made an impression tonight, didn't you?"
Emma laughed softly, still holding the business card as if it were a precious treasure. "I wasn't expecting that at all. Who exactly is he, Shirley? He seems... important."
Shirley gave a small, enigmatic smile. "He's a very powerful man with a lot of influence. Let's just say it's good to be on his good side."
Emma nodded, sensing that there was much more to Shirley's connections than she had ever imagined. "I'm grateful for your introduction, but... how do you know him?"
Shirley shrugged casually, as if it were nothing significant. "Let's just say our families have crossed paths before. Don't worry about it too much, Emma. Just focus on enjoying the evening."
Emma decided to let the matter rest, at least for now. She was grateful for Shirley's support and decided to trust her friend's judgment. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of fine dining and polite conversation, with Emma's mind occasionally drifting back to the events that had just transpired.
As the banquet continued, Emma could feel the eyes of the other guests on her, particularly those of her stepmother and the fake heiress, whose jealousy had now turned into outright hostility. But Emma no longer felt intimidated. With Shirley by her side and the unexpected support from Mr. Wu, she felt more confident than she had in years.
Later that night, as they were leaving the banquet, Shirley turned to Emma and said, "You did well tonight. I'm proud of you, Emma. You're stronger than you realize."
Emma smiled softly, her heart warming at Shirley's words. "I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you, Shirley. For everything."
Shirley squeezed Emma's hand gently. "You don't need to thank me. That's what friends are for."
As they walked out into the cool night air, Emma felt a sense of resolve settle within her. The evening had been full of surprises, but it had also shown her that she was no longer the timid girl who let others control her life. She was ready to take back what was rightfully hers, and with allies like Shirley, she knew she had the strength to do it.