Chapter 120: Chapter 120

Anna chose a pink dress today to avoid awkward situations, not to steal the spotlight.

Otherwise, given her naturally outstanding and attractive appearance, wearing bright colors easily creates a commanding presence. This isn’t Anna being narcissistic; her past experiences walking the red carpet have proven this, even those European and American actresses with such striking features can’t compete, let alone a slightly plain actress like Marilyn who aims for an elegant and poised image.

Moreover, Anna analyzed Marilyn’s personality, thinking she likely prefers a clean and mature style, or maybe has an ethereal, otherworldly persona. Who knew she’d choose such a cute, pink, girly style and collide with Anna?

And what a collision it was, with the exact same color scheme, designed by the same designer!

However, Marilyn wore a floor-length gown, while Anna opted for a short, playful dress showing off her long legs.

Fortunately, Anna had seen many big events; no matter how awkward the setting, she could maintain composure, greeting guests who cast curious glances her way with poise.

The last person to meet her gaze was Conrad Sterling, the man currently by Marilyn’s side, who furrowed his brow the moment he laid eyes on her.

Anna glanced at their intertwined hands without reacting, then shifted her gaze away.

Soon, guests around her began whispering.

"Who’s that?" a male guest, stunned by Anna’s beauty, asked, "Which prominent family in Aethelgard has such an outstanding young woman? I’ve never seen her before."

The female guest beside him replied acidly, "She’s not from any prominent family; she’s just a minor actress in the entertainment industry. You don’t know her? Recently, rumors about her have been rampant, about her gold-digging and having a child."

"She’s had children?"

"Exactly, and she leaked the news herself. Nowadays in the entertainment industry, it’s so restless, people will do anything for fame!"

"You can’t tell; her figure is maintained quite well!"

"She’s a star, relying on injections and medication, can’t get any worse than cosmetic surgery. There’re so many artificial beauties, really no point in looking at them."

"President Sterling is indeed wise; he didn’t give her the time of day when she was trying to leech off him to drum up hype before, and yet here she is shamelessly crashing Marilyn’s birthday party!"

"People these days are becoming increasingly shameless. If I were Marilyn, I’d have the security staff throw her out immediately."

The three most disdainful voices were all Marilyn’s close friends, speaking the loudest.

Anna heard it all, but pretended not to, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray and walked up to Marilyn of her own accord.

Marilyn seemed to have noticed her but was engaged in conversation with a distinguished guest, leaving her unable to break away.

Anna didn’t interrupt, standing quietly nearby, waiting for them to finish their conversation and the guest to leave before stepping forward to offer a toast: "Miss Ford, happy birthday!"

Marilyn didn’t heed her close friends’ advice to throw Anna out.

Instead, she clinked glasses with her and graciously said, "Thank you!"

But that was all, after a sip of red wine, Marilyn turned and walked two steps forward to greet other guests.

Everyone present marveled at Miss Ford’s magnanimity and understanding, even welcoming such an obscure performer like Anna Thornton.

Yet given the Ford family’s politeness, how could they arrange luxury cars for other distinguished guests, but specifically let Anna ride in the security patrol vehicle?

Marilyn left, but Conrad, passing by Anna, paused.

"Why did you come here?"

Upon hearing the man question her, Anna deliberately waited half a minute before responding, with feigned surprise, "Ah! President Sterling, are you speaking to me?"

Conrad’s face darkened: "..."

"Sorry, I thought you didn’t want to speak with me in such settings, like last time at the Starlight Hotel."

"Anna Thornton, don’t veer off topic, answer my question!"

Clearly, Conrad’s intention wasn’t to completely avoid interaction with her but not wanting others to see them talking too much; questioning needed to be quick, hearing her speak more began to test his patience.

"Miss Ford personally sent me an invitation. Not attending would make me appear disrespectful. We’re all from the same company; I can’t afford to offend anyone."

"Come on! Don’t you know who calls the shots in the company?"

Conrad’s question wasn’t meant for Anna, it was a warning to her.

After dropping Anna off yesterday, Conrad smoked through a whole pack in his car outside the hospital, waiting until the next morning.

But due to someone’s love of sleeping in, coupled with birthday party preparations, he had to come over before Anna woke up.

Though he had Ethan relay a message to Anna, offering Dynasty Entertainment’s resources as bait, hoping she’d stay calmly at the hospital for the day.

Unexpectedly, she still showed up at the birthday party, proving she was quite adept at giving Conrad surprising or shocking moments.

Even film resources couldn’t control her!

"What do you really want?" President Sterling couldn’t help voicing the question from his heart.

"What I want, didn’t I tell you right from the start? Your memory is poor, indeed."

Anna stepped closer to Conrad, speaking so softly it hovered by his ear, "I want you! I want to give Pop a complete family! I want Holly Sutton to pay the price! I want the Thornton Family’s company back! I also want the resources provided by the Sterling Group! But let’s clarify one thing—the resources are what a wife to the president of the Sterling Group deserves, not a handout to make me compromise!"

After finishing what she wanted to say, Anna retreated back to her previous spot, blinking at the man before her: "Conrad Sterling, it’s only because your memory is poor that I repeated it. Why does your expression seem like I’m... flirting with you?"

President Sterling immediately straightened up: "Ridiculous!"

Anna also dropped her playful demeanor, tilting her head as if noticing the live-streaming screen for the first time: "Holy shit! I’ve only been standing with you for a moment, why is the barrage full of insults about me? Can’t afford to mess around... Marilyn specifically invited me to the birthday party, wasn’t it to let me experience the gap firsthand? I’m just here to tour the mansion, honestly not trying to flirt with you! President Sterling, you don’t need to act like facing a foe; I can keep silent at your proposal. After all, if I don’t get one of the many things I want, it won’t matter."

Anna spoke while backing away, distancing herself from Conrad on her own.

However, when she was far enough, the latter reacted to her implications. Follow current novels on novel~fire~net

Anna said she wanted Conrad, wanted to give Pop a complete family, wanted revenge... and hinted it wouldn’t matter if one wish didn’t come true.

Meaning—she could still achieve giving Pop a complete family, and seek revenge even without Conrad...

Indeed, she was already considering another man!