Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 403

This wasn't about saving the Bennett family or the Mercer family. Mira just wanted to ensure that when she finally crushed Porter Entertainment, the Bennetts wouldn't stand in her way.

On Friday afternoon, as school let out, Liora turned to Mira and the others. "Tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday. You guys have to come over! Oh, and my future sister-in-law will be there too."

The Bennett family rarely threw flashy events. Usually, Evelyn Bennett's birthday was just a quiet family dinner. Had Xavier's engagement to the Porter family already shifted their traditions?

Mira had planned a packed weekend, but given the personal invitation, she couldn't refuse. Plus, she genuinely wanted to see what Roxanne was really like.

As they walked into their neighborhood, Elara Finn waited until they were alone before speaking up. "I don't want to go."

"It'll be fun," Mira offered gently. "Good networking, too."

"Mira, I really don't want to go."

Mira considered this. "If you really don't want to, that's fine. Just tell Liora you're visiting your dad tomorrow, or that you're not feeling well." She realized Elara didn't have a formal dress, and the guest list would be packed with elites. Showing up underdressed would only invite judgment. Furthermore, attending a matriarch's birthday required a proper gift; something cheap would draw sneers, and Elara couldn't afford anything expensive. Sometimes, the social divide was simply too vast to bridge casually.

The next day, Celine Ward came to Mira's place so they could head to the Bennett estate together. Elara hadn't joined them, and Celine tactfully didn't ask why.

As they reached the ground floor, Celine noticed Silas and Jax following close behind. "Mira, you're bringing your bodyguards?"

"Yeah. If it weren't for them during that car crash, we'd all be dead." Her enemies weren't the type to miss a golden opportunity.

Celine dismissed her own driver and hopped into Mira's car. "Since your car is built like a tank, I'll ride with you."

"It's highly secure, but I've got enemies. Aren't you worried?" Celine had only brought a regular driver, but she didn't have any deadly rivals to worry about.

"Enemies? You mean the Mercers?" Celine asked.

Liora grabbed their arms and practically dragged them through the opulent living room. "Mom, Dad, Grandma! My friends are here!"

"Wonderful! Bring Liora's friends over so Grandma can get a good look at them," Evelyn Bennett said warmly, her eyes full of affection as she took in the girls.

"No way, Grandma. We're going to my room to hang out first. We'll keep you company later!" Liora insisted.

Evelyn feigned a pout. "I see how it is. I'm not number one in my Liora's heart anymore."

"Don't worry, Grandma! You'll be number one again in a bit!"

Laughter rippled through the room.

"Why don't you ladies join Grandma for a quick drink before you run off? That way, she still gets to be number one," a voice suggested from beside Xavier.