Queena didn't bother answering as her eyes were fixed on Melinda. Yulia understood what Queena's intense gaze meant, so she turned to look at Melinda.
"Melinda, don't you always like helping poor people? The money raised in the charity party will go to the people in need."
Melinda knew that Yulia was trying to persuade her. Yulia was never friendly with Melinda unless she needed something from her.
Melinda clenched her jaw and fisted her palm. Yulia could see that Melinda was trying hard to suppress her anger.
Melinda had a strong feeling that it was going to be an ambush. She knew that Yulia and Queena were forcing her to attend the party because Emily had asked them to. Melinda sensed that Emily was up to something. She finally lifted her head and looked at Queena's expectant eyes.
"All right, I'll come with you," she said.
"What are you planning to donate? Don't pick some rubbish and humiliate us. I'll ask Gavin to help you out."
Queena snorted. She was afraid that Melinda's animosity would force her to ruin the reputation of the Gu family.
Yulia clamped her mouth to suppress her laughter. She was happy to see Queena insult her sister-in-law.
"Okay, thank you."
Melinda shrugged casually. Queena was surprised by her nonchalance and continued to eat. She knew that Melinda was unfazed by her taunts and felt that it would be pointless to mock her.
After dinner, Melinda asked the butler to take her to the room that contained collections that the family had bought or received over the years.
The room was brimming with paintings, jewelry, and artifacts. Melinda was confused and didn't know what would be ideal to donate for charity.
Fortunately, Gavin was in charge of treasuring the collections, so Melinda sought help from him. After clarifying Melinda's doubts, Gavin gave her a pair of bracelets.
Expensive jewelry was a standard donation to charity but the value of the jewelry made it unique among the others. Therefore, Gavin carefully picked limited edition jewelry that was rare in the market.
Soon, the charity party came. Emily was popular and her circle expanded after she got closer to Jonas. When Queena walked in, she realized that the party was bigger than she thought. She was wearing a purple cheongsam and her hair was coiled into a thick braid. She looked regal with Melinda and Yulia stand on either side.
Yulia was dressed in a round-collared, off-shoulder dress that accentuated her figure. The pink tassels and the nifty design on the dress made her look elegant. Her hair was curled to perfection and cascaded down her shoulders.
As soon as she entered the party, her eyes roamed across the hall, searching for young men. She looked like a tigress hunting for her prey.
Melinda was in a simple white dress with delicate embroidery. Her hair was tied to a high ponytail as wisps of bangs brushed against her forehead. The design on the neckline was the highlight and the delicate waistband made her look like a regal beauty.
All eyes were on Melinda.
Emily was busy entertaining the guests. When she saw Queena, she immediately ran towards her and greeted her. Queena looked like a majestic, powerful woman, and Emily smiled at her.
"Aunt Queena, you are here." She embraced her, ignoring Melinda and Yulia.
Melinda instantly stepped back, giving ample space for them to shower each other with love.
"Yes, looks like everyone is here,"
Queena said, peering across the hall. People were in groups, chatting and sipping on drinks. The men were discussing business and games, while women gossiped. The waiters shambled through them, serving snacks and drinks.
"Thank you for asking your friends to join us." Emily smiled gratefully.
Queena was glad to see that all her friends had come to the party,
"I see that your friends are waiting to talk to you and there are many guests for you to attend. I don't want to hold you back. You go ahead with your work."
Queena smiled. Emily nodded and went to receive the guests who were walking into the hall.
The charity party was an auction. Melinda sat in a corner, while Yulia searched the crowd to find her match.
It was time for the party to commence and the host walked in. Everyone sat down and Queena saw that most of them were her friends and acquaintances.
Yulia was busy hunting men and didn't care to talk with her either. Melinda sat down as she watched the party commence.
"Queena, isn't this your painting?" a woman asked.
The eyes of the crowd unanimously turned to the screen. The painting was the first item in the auction.
Emily smiled and borrowed the microphone from the host.
She described every little detail of the painting as if it was a rare treasure. She finally concluded her speech by announcing that it was one of Queena's best works.
Since she was Jonas's mother, everyone wanted to please Queena. The first bid was a high price and people stood up one after the other, making their bid.
Queena beamed with joy when she saw the subsequent rise in the price of the bids.
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