Chapter 5 The Ford Family's Gala Invitation

Sloane was left breathless, taking in all the information packed into that one sentence. Her curiosity piqued, she quickly grabbed her keys and headed out to get Leanna.

"You really just took off like that?" As the Ferrari zoomed along the highway, Sloane's voice was full of disbelief. "Why didn't you run over that awful couple?"

Leanna, calmly tending to her wound, replied, "Maybe because breaking the law isn't the best idea."

Sloane found herself at a loss for words.

Noticing Leanna's reluctance to discuss it further, Sloane swiftly switched topics. "Oh, by the way, about that charity gala. You were invited as a special guest. You're going this time, right?"

Before Leanna could answer, Sloane said, "You're on the verge of a divorce now, so there's no reason to hide it anymore from that jerk Joshua."

Pouting, Sloane added, "I've put a lot into planning this event. I want to impress my dad, and you're my best friend. You'll come, right?"

"Alright," Leanna said, glancing at Sloane with a resigned smile. "Whatever you want!"

Sloane lit up immediately and excitedly honked the horn. "Alright, tomorrow at six sharp! I'll have Karson Murphy pick you up at the front!"

After everything that happened that afternoon, Leanna had no desire to return to the Griffiths' home. She didn't have many valuable things left there anyway, and the memories of that place were painful. Instead of dealing with Joshua's family's cold stares and tension, she booked a long-term stay in a luxury hotel suite.

Joshua, still fuming from the public humiliation Leanna had caused in front of respected scholars, barely contained his rage. The moment he stepped out of his car, he barged into the villa, yelling, "Leanna, get out here!" He was furious, hands on his hips.

Joshua was convinced Leanna was just a good-for-nothing who couldn't survive without him. He figured her outburst earlier was just a cry for his attention.

"You're just trying to force me to come home, aren't you?" Joshua sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you think that little stunt you pulled today is going to change anything, you're wrong! This divorce is happening. Pack your bags and leave my family for good!"

After venting his frustration, Joshua waited, but there was no sound from upstairs.

Joshua's scowl deepened. Normally, by this hour, Leanna would've made him a late-night snack, drawn his bath, and sat on the couch waiting for him to return.

"Leanna! Leanna! Are you dead up there?" Joshua shouted.

The maid, Vivian Gibson, hesitantly spoke up. "Sir, she hasn't come back since she left this afternoon." Joshua's face twisted with confusion. "She hasn't returned? I canceled her credit cards. Where would a woman with no money or connections go at this hour?"

After a pause, Joshua let out a cold laugh. "Oh, I see. She must have run back to her parents' place. She thinks she can play this game with me?" His voice dripped with contempt. "Keep dreaming! Fine. Let her be. She'll come crawling back soon enough, begging for cash. There's no way a gold-digger like her would willingly give up being my wife!"

Vivian stood quietly nearby and couldn't shake the thought that Leanna, who left by herself today, didn't seem as obsessed with money as Joshua believed.

Joshua was just about to call the Jacksons to ask about Leanna when a message appeared on his phone. As soon as he read it, his eyes widened in shock.

Right then, his phone rang, and Renee's number flashed on the screen. He answered, instantly recognizing the excitement in her voice. "Joshua! I just heard from your assistant that the Ford family sent you an invitation to their charity gala! That must mean they recognize your talent!"

Joshua couldn't stop himself from smiling. His hands shook slightly as he opened the invitation. "Yeah, I didn't expect to get invited to a gala of this level by the Fords."

"That's amazing, Joshua! You have to take full advantage of this. With the Fords backing you, no one in the Griffiths family will stand a chance against you for the heir position!" Renee's excitement grew with each word. After a brief pause, her curiosity got the better of her. "I heard the invitation includes a plus-one."

Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Yes, I'm taking you, of course."

"Really?" Renee's smile was almost audible in her voice.

"Absolutely. You've had the best education and studied abroad. You even relate to the Dark Horse designers. You're far more suitable as my date than that bumpkin Leanna ever was."

"That's wonderful, Joshua. I love you so much!" Renee gushed.

"I love you too," Joshua replied smoothly.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Griffiths family behind, Leanna enjoyed a rare, peaceful night of sleep. She timed her morning perfectly and arrived at the gala venue with ease, a full thirty minutes before the event began.

Because of the persona she had been hiding and her previous indecision about attending, Leanna didn't receive an official invitation to the event. So, she settled in a small pavilion near the entrance, casually sipping on grape juice while she waited for Karson to arrive.

She had only gotten halfway through her drink when Karson sent an urgent message. "I'm so sorry, genius designer! Completely my fault! I'll be there in ten minutes!"

Leanna laughed quietly to herself and was just about to reply when a soft, mocking voice interrupted her.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Jackson. I didn't expect to see you here. While begging Joshua for divorce money, you're also trying to worm your way into the Ford family's gala. But let me remind you..." The voice grew colder. "This gala isn't for people like you. Know your place."