From Forgotten Wife To Fierce Queen - Chapter 280: Chapter 280

At the Godard estate, the final grand banquet before the holiday was taking place.
Naturally, the venue was packed with guests, and the vibe was lively and bustling.
Thanks to Tyson's status and reputation, nearly all the influential figures from the capital's elite circle had shown up.
People from neighboring cities and even abroad had rushed over, as long as their schedules allowed.
After all, this was Tyson's biological daughter's recognition banquet. The banquet hadn't even officially started, yet more than half of the guests had already arrived.
With nothing better to do, Anna had come early to the venue. As the esteemed elder of the Godard family, she was immediately surrounded the moment she appeared.
Congratulations and well wishes poured in nonstop.
Anna was dressed in a custom-tailored gown, adorned with the brooch Paisley had gifted her.
To showcase the generosity and etiquette of the second household, Edmond had led his family members to the banquet hall early.
Taking advantage of the fact that the main household hadn't arrived yet, Edmond brought Christopher around to socialize, carrying himself like the host.
In the lounge of the resting area, Florence and Bella were also surrounded by a group of noblewomen and young ladies. After some pleasantries, curiosity got the better of them, and they began asking Florence about Paisley.
The rumors outside painted a very unflattering image of Paisley. Naturally, these women wanted to probe around and understand the temperament of the eldest daughter of the Godard family's main household.
If she was really as greedy and petty as the rumors suggested, and then she would be easy to deal with. All they needed to do was flatter her and offer her some small benefits.
None of the guests attending the recognition banquet had come empty-handed; they had all brought gifts, big or small.
Josie might not care about these gifts, but they thought that newly rich eldest daughter from the main household might.
Florence could see that these women were pretending to inquire about Paisley's preferences to win her favor. In reality, they all looked down on her, approaching the situation with a mindset of watching a spectacle.
Florence saw through it but didn't expose them. Instead, she maintained the demeanor of a noble matriarch, deliberately giving vague and noncommittal responses.
Seeing her hesitation, the noblewomen assumed Florence was trying to cover for the Godard family's eldest daughter. This only made them believe the rumors even more.
"By the way, Madam Florence, I heard that Tyson adopted Max to marry him off to his daughter. Is that true?" asked the wife of an important business partner of the Godard Group.
She asked because her daughter had feelings for Max. She had been hoping to secure a marriage alliance with Max through their family connections.
Originally, after Christmas, their family had planned to bring up the idea of a union with Tyson. But before the holiday was even over, rumors had already spread that Max was being prepared as a live-in son-in-law for Tyson's daughter.
As soon as the woman spoke, the surrounding noblewomen and young ladies all turned their attention toward Florence, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.
They had also heard about this rumor and were just as eager to confirm it, though they hadn't had the chance to ask yet. Besides, it wasn't just one family hoping to marry into the Godard family, and Max had more than one admirer among the noble daughters.
Florence hadn't expected to be asked about this and was caught off guard. "You all know about this?"
In truth, there had been no such arrangement. A few days ago, Zim had casually mentioned it in passing.
But ultimately, Tyson had never made any public statement about it—it was all just speculation from Zim.
While the second household had been intentionally spreading negative rumors about Paisley, they had never talked about this particular matter.
She thought, 'How has this information leaked out? And judging by the expressions of those present, it seems like they all believe it.'
Florence's earlier words had been spoken without much thought, and they carried an unintended implication. She had simply been shocked that something casually mentioned in their own home had somehow spread outside.
However, her ambiguous response led the noblewomen to misinterpret it as confirmation.
They thought, 'So, the Godard family patriarch really does intend to have Max marry his daughter? What a pity—such an outstanding man like Max, wasted like that.'
The noblewomen who had been hoping for a marriage alliance with the Godard family couldn't hide their disappointment.
The young ladies who secretly admired Max were even more crestfallen, their resentment toward Paisley growing.
Florence vaguely sensed that she might have misspoken. Just as she was about to explain, she saw Anna being assisted into the hall by two attendants—one tall, one short.
"It's Great-Grandma." Bella had long grown impatient sitting there, listening to the adults talk.
The moment she saw Anna, she jumped off the sofa and ran toward her.
"Bella, be careful!" Florence had her full attention on Bella, naturally forgetting everything else.
The guests saw that it was Bella running over—the Godard family's only treasured granddaughter and the apple of Anna's eye.
They quickly stepped aside, carefully making way for her, afraid that this little princess might trip and fall.
Anna watched the small figure running toward her, her heart warming. "Oh dear, Bella, don't run! Be careful not to fall."
Although Bella had done something wrong earlier, she was still the great-granddaughter Anna had doted on since birth.
Florence followed after Bella and was momentarily stunned when she saw Anna dressed in a gown.
Anna usually liked wearing gowns, but today's was clearly an expensive one. Even at her age, wearing this gown added an undeniable touch of elegance. She looked radiant, as if she had become years younger.
Especially the brooch on her chest—it was the perfect finishing touch, so stunning that no one could ignore it.
Bella reached Anna's side and immediately noticed the beautiful brooch. She stretched out her hand, "Great-Grandma, I like this!"
Anna glanced down at the brooch and smiled at Bella. "Oh? I like it too."
Bella's eyes sparkled. "Great-Grandma, give it to me!"
She loved everything beautiful, and once she set her eyes on something, she had to have it. 'What if Rena shows up later and tries to take it from me?' she thought.
Anna was momentarily surprised, and then playfully tapped Bella's little nose. "You sure know how to ask. I can give you other things, but not this one."
This was a gift from Paisy. Regardless of its monetary value, it was the thought behind it that mattered. She had worn it today to make Paisy happy. If she really gave it to Bella and Paisy saw, Paisley would surely feel hurt.
The relationship between the first and second branches of the family was already tense. Anna couldn't make it worse.
Bella pouted, feeling unwilling to accept this.
In the past, whenever she wanted something, Anna would always give it to her.
But ever since Rena came back, everything had changed.
Not only had Anna given Rena the gold jewelry that used to belong only to her, but she also forbade her from going to the grand estate and even put her in confinement.
Now, even this string of beads she liked—Anna wouldn't give it to her.
Bella was still young and didn't understand the complicated dynamics at play. She simply and bluntly blamed everything on Serena. She believed that Serena's presence had shaken her position in Anna's heart and in the family.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and the angrier she got, the more she wanted to cry.
But before coming here, Edmond and Christopher had both warned her not to cause trouble or cry at the banquet.
Edmond's anger was terrifying. She didn't want to make him mad at her again. So, Bella could only hold it in.
"Bella!" Tommy suddenly appeared from nowhere, running straight to her side.
He ignored everyone around them and didn't even glance at Anna, speaking only to Bella. "Let's play together!"