The backstage was crowded and noisy. Although Ava didn't hear what Jessie and the others were saying, she noticed the lollipops that Christian and Eleanor had given out.
Ava kept a straight face, but inside, she felt humiliated. Giving out only two lollipops as a gift seemed too childish.
After her initial anger subsided, she realized something.
Alessia came here to let the two kids act as junior models.
Perhaps this was the kids' first time experiencing such a big event, and Jessie knew how to manage it, using the junior models to gain favor.
But what if the kids didn't have any experience with runway shows and ended up ruining the entire show?
Despite having a thousand grievances in her heart, Ava, being seasoned, didn't show the slightest hint of it.
She looked at Alessia with a kind smile. "Sia, you're here. I actually wanted you to come and see the world and have some fun, but I was afraid you'd refuse, so I didn't mention it. Luckily, your cousin thought ahead."
"What do you mean by 'see the world'? Why does that sound so harsh to me?" Alessia didn't speak, but Bianca spoke up to defend her. Rolling her eyes, Bianca said, "Auntie, isn't Alessia your daughter?"
Ava's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled warmly. "Miss Carter, please don't misunderstand. Of course, I dote on my own daughter, but my daughter grew up in the countryside and suffered a lot. She never had the chance to participate in shows like this before, so I may have misspoken."
Ava wasn't surprised that Bianca knew Alessia. After all, Alessia even knew Dominic.
However, it was unexpected that Alessia could evoke such protective words from the spoiled and willful Miss Carter. Ava didn't know what was happening today; she kept letting slip things she shouldn't say.
However, Ava was best at being hypocritical. She immediately apologized to Alessia. "Sia, Mommy misspoke. Please don't mind."
Alessia glanced faintly at the hypocritical Ava, her beautiful almond eyes moving slightly, but she didn't speak.
The new DNA test report was already available, but it wasn't the time to discuss it now.
Bianca listened to Ava's words and pursed her beautifully shaped red lips, swallowing the words she wanted to say. She looked at Ava as if she were looking at a fool.
Was this woman's brain damaged? She actually said that the famous designer Al hadn't seen a show before?
Heh, in Al's eyes, this kind of show organized by the Ramirez was probably not even as good as children playing house.
Was this stupid woman really her sister-in-law's mother?
She couldn't be bothered with this stupid woman.
At the front desk of the venue, most of the seats were already occupied, except for a few empty ones in the front row.
Cameras were set up all around, and flashes occasionally lit up. Many internet celebrities were live-streaming at the scene.
They all had the same idea: since the main show hadn't started yet, they'd take pictures of the stars first and give their fans a treat, increasing their exposure.
After all, today was a star-studded event. With Dylan Frost, who had regained fame with a new song, and Sisca Fraser, who had emerged from the scandal of lying, it was bound to be a topic of interest.
Moreover, Dylan and Sisca were separated by four or five seats, clearly indicating that their relationship wasn't good.
It was understandable. After the plagiarism incident, although Sisca publicly apologized, the enmity had already been formed. How could it be so easily resolved?
This kind of gossip was what the majority of netizens were most concerned about.
Internet celebrities locked their cameras on Sisca and Dylan.
Sisca adjusted her strapless dress and tilted her head to express her resistance to those cameras.
Ever since the plagiarism incident, whenever she appeared with Dylan, there would always be discussions about it.
Did making a mistake mean you deserved to die?
Sisca didn't even want to come to this event today; it was the pressure from her brokerage company that forced her to come.
Sisca felt uncomfortable, hoping time would pass quickly.
Just then, a man dressed in a black haute couture suit, exuding an air of nobility, walked in through the front entrance, holding a boy in a matching black suit with a black mask.
As soon as they appeared, they immediately attracted everyone's attention in the venue.
Feeling all eyes on him, Christopher, who hadn't fully recovered from autism, paused.
Dominic noticed Christopher's unusual behavior and immediately picked him up.
With his father's embrace, Christopher let out a barely audible sigh of relief and looked towards the stage with his beautiful big eyes.
His sister and brother would soon appear on stage for the performance. There were still a few empty seats in the front row. If they moved there with Dad and Mommy, they would have a great view.
While Christopher was still pondering, Dominic, with his long legs, had already walked over, carrying him effortlessly.
Even holding a child, this man still exuded the imposing and authoritative demeanor of a CEO.
"I didn't expect the Ramirez's show today to be able to invite Mr. Carter. Jessie seems to have some skills despite her young age."
"Not necessarily. Maybe Mr. Carter came specifically to support Sisca."
"Are you saying that the conflict between Bianca and Sisca in the mall was simply because of family issues?"
"I think so. I've always heard that Mr. Carter has a child, but I've never seen him publicly appear with the child before. Bringing the child here today shows some sincerity. It seems like he came with his son to support Sisca."
"Ah, I've never heard who Mr. Carter's child's mother is. It's so mysterious. Do you think it could be Sisca?"
"I think it's possible."
"Ah, if that's the case, it would be just like a melodramatic novel, the CEO's hidden-marriage wife."
As the gossip behind them reached her ears, Sisca felt elated, and her mind began to drift.
From the initial surprise at Dominic's appearance to gradually convincing herself that Dominic had come for her, Sisca's thoughts shifted.
Otherwise, why would Dominic be here? Was it really to please Jessie?
Surely Dominic had realized his feelings by now, after leaving her for a while.
Now that he had turned back, he wanted to surprise her and pursue her again.
Thinking of this, Sisca's gaze shifted to Christopher, and she furrowed her brows with dissatisfaction.
If Dominic wanted to pursue her, he should do it properly. Why bring this illegitimate child along?
Even though people outside might think that she gave birth to this child, she couldn't force herself to like him.
Once she agreed to Dominic's pursuit, she would definitely make him stop bringing this illegitimate child along.
After calculating, Sisca stood up amidst the admiring or jealous gazes of others. With a sweet and affectionate voice, she said, "Dom, why did you just arrive?"
This sounded like Dominic and Sisca had arranged it in advance.
Those who were eavesdropping, eager to hear gossip, cast meaningful glances.
Sure enough, Dominic came for Sisca!
Dominic, with just a glance, saw through Sisca's little thoughts. He frowned almost imperceptibly, thinking of the favor Sisca's brother had given up his life for, then immediately relaxed his brows, ignoring her.
Dominic was about to sit down in silence when Bianca pulled back the curtain and rushed out, plopping herself down between Dominic and Sisca.
Although she didn't hear what Sisca said to her brother, she had a gut feeling that whatever came out of Sisca's mouth couldn't be good.
Feeling annoyed, she retorted, "Sisca, stop sticking to my brother. He didn't come here for you."
Sisca's face stiffened. Seeing everyone's gaze still on her, she pretended to put on an aggrieved expression and said, "Bianca, you can't say whatever you want in public!"
Seeing everyone's expressions change to "Oh, so Carter's young miss is indeed wilful," Bianca exploded.
"Sisca, stop with the act. What do you mean by saying I can't say whatever I want? You'd better make it clear."
Sisca lowered her head obediently and didn't respond.
One was infuriated, the other silently enduring, this stark contrast made everyone's gaze towards Bianca even more peculiar than before.
However, just as everyone was feeling puzzled, a milky voice rang out, immediately diverting everyone's curious gaze.
***