When the time came, if Gianna wanted to secure her ce in the Malone family, the only way forward was to show everyone just how outstanding she was as the Malone family''s eldest daughter.


    Only if she performed well enough, brought honor to the Malone family, and proved her worth after being raised by them for so many years, would the Malone family not cast her aside so easily.


    Thispetition, for Gianna, was the best opportunity to prove herself.


    To ensure nothing could go wrong, Pepper had even used unknown means to help Gianna obtain the problems in advance.


    Over the past two days, Gianna had given up her rest time and prepared thoroughly. Yet, no matter how she thought about it, she never expected Anneliese to corner her right before thepetition. Not only had she failed to stop Anneliese frompeting, but it had even backfired and gotten herself into trouble.


    Still, what her mother said was right. Gianna believed that once they were on thepetition floor, she would definitely crush Anneliese and stun everyone.


    Meanwhile, Anneliese had been talking with Wendy when she noticed Adrian and Steven approaching them. She knew they were probablying to see Wendy and Ellie.


    She had invited the two of them only because Wendy had saved her before, and because Ellie now needed her help. Taking all that into consideration, she had extended the invitation.


    She had no intention of getting involved with Adrian and his son, especially under circumstances like today.


    What was more, things had just turned unpleasant earlier, and she had no idea how many eyes were watching her now.


    Anneliese immediately said to Wendy, "Ms. Chalmont, it''s time to get ready for thepetition. Once it''s over, I''ll treat you and Ellie to a meal. I''ll bring the cookies I made for her as well."


    After speaking, she gently patted Ellie''s head and turned to leave. However, Wendy had also noticed Adrian and Steven approaching and unexpectedly reached out to stop Anneliese.


    Anneliese looked at Wendy in confusion. The older woman gave her a reassuring smile but did not let go of her hand.


    Anneliese had no choice but to stay where she was. By then, Adrian had already walked up to them.


    He looked at Wendy with a hint of surprise. "You''re here, Wendy! You didn''t tell me ahead of time; otherwise, I could have arranged for someone to bring you and Ellie inside the venue first."


    He had thought the outside would


    be chaotic. Wendy preferred quiet, and Ellie, who had autism, would feel ufortable in a crowded space. He could have arrange for


    someone to take them inside through a special route.


    But obviously, Wendy was not interested. She held Anneliese''s hand, her expression calm and detached. "Ellie and I are here to cheer Anne on. There''s no need to use any connections. Infacto someone alrnost tried to pull strings earlier, and it nearly ruined our trip for nothing."


    Earlier, a staff member had stepped forward to admit to the oversight, but any observant person could see that Gianna had been involved.


    And behind her, naturally, was Adrian.


    Anneliese didn''t know Wendy had kept her here to back her up. A warm feeling


    surged in her chest, and she looked at Wendy with genuine admiration.


    She respected Wendy''s clear sense of right and wrong, her fairness, and her refusal


    to favor her own children unjustly. If Gianna had been raised under Wendy''s guidance, she would not have turned out so spoiled.


    It was obvious that Adrian favored and pampered Gianna. But Adrian, despite Anneliese''s limited contact with him, gave off the usual sense of someone high above others-an authoritative mindset the type of thinkingmon to those in power.


    Because of that, Gianna had clearly gone down the wrong path. Anneliese didn''t


    know whether that was Gianna''s luck or misfortune.


    Meanwhile, Adrian didn''t know Wendy and Ellie hade solely because of Anneliese''s invitation. After he had casually mentioned to Wendy how much Anneliese had helped Ellie, Wendy had acted immediately.


    This made Adrian happy and somewhat thrilled.


    All these years, Wendy had never once taken any of his advice. That day, they had parted on bad terms again, but she still listened to him...


    Did this mean that Wendy still held some lingering feelings for him and was willing to trust him again?


    A faint smile appeared on his face. Yet, when he thought about how Anneliese had almost been barred frompeting, his expression turned a little sheepish.


    Still, he turned to Anneliese. "We will take the earlier incident seriously and hold the staff responsible for their mistakes. I hope it won''t affect your performanceter."


    Before Anneliese could respond, Wendy added, "You know clearly what happened. Blind protection and indulgence will only lead to bigger trouble sooner orter!"


    Adrian had not expected her to chew him out like that. But he was used to her cold treatment, so after faltering for a bit, he leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice.