Chapter 175 - Are You Alright?
Medeor Corporation was one of the largest medical suppliers in the world. Their influence expanded across continents, reaching the top hospitals. On many occasions, they were also the legal supplier of organs. People regarded them as one of the most renowned leaders in the health industry, for they were continuously innovating.
It was precisely why the celebration room was practically the size of two football fields. Guests mingled and networked with enthusiastic chatter. There were all sorts of people like future leaders of the world, pioneers of their industry, heirs and heiresses, socialites and celebrities, directors of enormous companies, and so forth.
The food was plentiful and the atmosphere was festive even without music.
People arrived by all sorts of transportation. Private jets. Helicopters. Yachts. When a name was a flex, everything had to be flex. Their entrance. Their outfits. There wasn't a single person here who was not dressed to the nines. All except for a lone person standing in the corner.
Regardless of who entered, no matter how grand their entry was, not many people paid them any attention. Not until? Lina Yang made her arrival.
"May I have your name, honored guest?" The entrance hostess requested, so she'd be able to guide the guests to their seats.
"Lina," she said.
The hostess slowly blinked. Lina?
"Lina Yang," Lina concluded.
The chatter slowed down. A few familiar faces paused and glanced over their shoulders. The Lina Yang? From the Yang Clan? How could they have not heard of her after yesterday's news?
"Is that her?"
"It is…"
"The only woman in the Race of Heirs for Yang Enterprise."
Lina could feel all eyes on her. Some were filled with curiosity and others were filled with contempt. She showed them no mind. Instead, she allowed herself to be guided to the table all the way at the front of the celebration. The table was in the center, located right in front of the speech podium.
Only the most important guests were allowed to sit here. Immediately, whispers arose from the younger crowds. They suddenly remembered who was stuck by the side of the infamous Medeor Corporation's heir.
Lina.
"She already has Everett Leclare and Kaden DeHaven wrapped around her fingers… Now, it's Atlantis Medeor."
"Right, what is she, some heir collector?"
"More like the only woman who can bring home the nation's most eligible bachelor…"
Lina was unnerved by how many people were glancing in her direction. Their eyes felt like bugs on her skin. They acted like she was deaf or something.
With a flick of her dress, Lina took a seat that directly faced the podium. She accepted a flute of champagne from a nearby waitress and quietly sat by herself.
Lina knew how the game worked. If people walked up to her first, it showed their will to network. If she walked up to people first, they had the upperhand to reject or deny her.
Thus, Lina flicked her hair back and took a slow sip of her champagne.
"Look at that dress… It's practically made for her."
"With charms like that, it is no wonder she has three heirs fighting for her."
"God, what I'd do to be her for just one day. I know a bed that can fit four people—"
Lina never liked the taste of alcohol. It stung her tongue and tasted horrible. She enjoyed champagne, though, especially its sweet fizziness like a soda. Thus, she took another sip of the delicious bubbly liquid.
"Oh my god, Lina, is that you?"
Lina's shoulders tensed. That faux sweetness. That obnoxious high-pitch squeal. She felt goosebumps crawling on her arms. At the harbinger of confrontations, she felt her heart anxiously race.
"It really is you!" The voices behind her gushed in excitement.
Lina turned around. No matter which college they recently graduated from, no matter the years that passed, they still looked the same. It was easy to spot those who peaked in high school.
Dressed in the latest trend of dresses, Lina's high school bullies still looked the same as ever. Prim and proper on the outside, rotten and disgusting on the inside.
"Without your stretch marks and double chin, I barely recognized you," one of them snickered. "Tell me, which doctor did you use to laser away your mustache?"
Lina slowly spun the stem of her champagne glass. They never quit, did they? Always starting trouble with people they shouldn't offend.
"I'd find you a doctor, but I don't think anything can laser away whatever you have, Samantha," Lina murmured.
Then, Lina took a slow sip of her champagne.
Samantha forced a soft laugh at her words. She hid her mouth behind a manicured hand, her eyes crinkling.
"Goodness, ever the jokester," Samantha mused. She did her best to hide her irritation, but it still showed in her eyes. She hated the sight of this pig dressed in white like some bride walking down the altar.
"You kid around so much, I'd think we're standing in a circus," Samantha pointed out. Her voice was sweet as if she was merely conversing with a close high school friend.
Lina felt a nerve inside of her tick. Especially when Samantha glanced at her arm, where faded birthmarks could be seen. Years had passed and the marks had greatly disappeared. But through keen eyes and great lighting, one could find them if they looked well enough.
"If we're in a circus, are you the clown?" Lina innocently asked whilst batting her pretty lashes at them.
Samantha saw red. "You—"
"Now, now, Samantha," a gentle voice stopped them.
Lina could feel her heart drop all the way to her stomach. One look from the Prom Queen was enough for Lina to feel like throwing up. The ring leader. The one who led the entire bullying. The one who had stripped Lina naked in the girls bathroom and poured pundrid liquid onto her.
"It's been such a long time since we've seen our dear Lina, we should give her a proper greeting," the woman in blue said.
"You're right, Elaine," Samantha quickly agreed, stepping back a bit.
Lina hated the angelic blue on Elaine's pristine body. That color made Elaine look like some saint, when she was the greatest sinner of them all.
Elaine let out a soft laughter, resembling church bells during a wedding. Even men pausd to admire her, peering over their wine glasses. The pearl of their middle school and high school. Not a single man resisted her charms.
If you wanted her to be pretty, she'd be the Prom Queen. If you wanted her to be sexy, then she was a temptress. If you wanted her to be elegant, then she'd be the girl you bring home to parents. Elaine was the perfect socialite through and through.
"Oh Lina, you look so beautiful," Elaine let out a soft sigh, clasping her hands together. "Truly, you put my dress to so much shame."
Lina stiffened. What was Elaine doing? She took a slow look at Elaine's dress. It was fresh off the runway. She remembered hearing her mother gossip about this exact dress. Made of blue silk, the dress was floor length and gorgeous. Elaine looked like she had stepped from the clouds on a leisurely visit to the mortal realm, but had forgotten to change.
"What are you saying, Elaine? How could Lina's dress ever compare to you," Samantha let out a soft sigh. "You're far too kind Elaine. Lina can barely compare to a strand of hair on your head."
"You know that's not true, Samantha," Elaine said in a soft voice. She suddenly grabbed Lina by the hands and pulled her to her feet.
Elaine suddenly gasped, stepping back, but it was too late. Lina's champagne nearly spilled on both of them. Lina jumped back before it was too late, but she pushed the chair over.
CRASH!
Lina cursed inside of her head. Elaine revealed an understanding smile.
"Oh no, are you alright?" Elaine gasped out, despite embarrassing Lina in front of the entire crowd. She rushed forward, pressed a heel onto Lina's dress, and waited for her to step back.
The entire celebration came to a stop to watch what was going on. The chair toppling over had caused a large commotion. It ruined the festive atmosphere. Every pair of eyes flickered to Lina, who had ruined the great mood.
With every person in the room watching her, Elaine laughed on the inside. If there was something that Lina was terrified of, it was a crowd watching her.. Their little piglet had stage fright and Elaine remembered it well.
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