The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1401

"How do I look?"
Ava glanced at her young daughter and nodded in satisfaction. "Absolutely stunning, of course. Look at you both, you are my baby daughters. Don’t worry, you two will be the belles of the ball."
Barbara and Becky, one on each side of Ava, gratefully beamed at her.
"We won't be the prettiest ones there. The most beautiful woman at the banquet will definitely be you, Mom."
Ava chuckled. "You girls sure know how to sweet-talk."
They all shared a light-hearted laugh. After a while, Becky's smile faded, and she asked somberly, "Dad's going to be there with you at the state banquet, right?"
Ava's smile vanished, too, as a flicker of pain crossed her eyes. Becky realized her misstep, but it only fueled her resentment. "Dad's being ridiculous. You're his lawful wife. How can he spend every day with that other woman? She can't even have children, and yet he neglects us for her. I hate him!"
Ava felt a pang of pain. "Enough, Becky! Haven't I taken good care of you two?"
Startled by Ava's outburst, Becky withdrew her hand and stomped upstairs.
Barbara comforted Ava, patting her shoulder gently. "Don't be upset. Dad will definitely come back for such an important occasion. He always did, didn't he? And unlike other men, Dad doesn't have multiple wives. You still have your dignity..."
In their society, it was common for wealthy men to have several wives.
Ava, who grew up in a more conservative environment, found it hard to reconcile with this.
Barbara and Becky, however, having grown up here, had no problems with it. They never understood why Ava was so opposed to their father taking other wives. As they grew older, they began to understand some things, but still couldn't change anything.
Moreover, their father never intended to marry their mother. If it wasn't for Ava getting pregnant and telling their grandmother, their father wouldn't have married her.
Perhaps Ava should have let their father marry that other woman. It might have made him remember Ava's understanding character. But who was to blame now?
Although no one voiced these thoughts, they were all aware of it. They avoided the topic out of respect for royal dignity.
Ava was the adopted daughter of Queen Julia, and her husband, William, was Julia’s nephew.
Barbara guided Ava to the couch, and then brought up a new topic. "Mom, do you remember Chloe?"
Ava's face changed. "I remember. Why?"
Barbara gave a mysterious smile, her eyes holding a glint of something more. "She's been invited to the state banquet. I'm just wondering if she has any other plans..."
Ava, who had sensed something strange in Barbara's tone, turned to her. "What are you implying? Spit it out."
Barbara chuckled lightly. "I'm just worried about her past feud with Becky in P City. I wonder if she might stir up trouble this time..."
Ava snorted, "She's just there to perform. She doesn't have the right to even see you two. After her performance, she should leave. How could she possibly have anything to do with you?"
Barbara raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "If that's the case, then it's all good."
"Alright, you should go change into your gown and rest." Ava waved Barbara off, clearly perturbed.
Barbara looked at her for a moment, got up, and started to leave. But after a few steps, she turned back and asked, "Mom, is it true that grandma's biological daughter is dead?"
Ava froze.
She looked up at Barbara, her eyes filled with wariness. "What do you know?"
Barbara replied nonchalantly, "If she's not dead, could she return to the royal family?"
Barbara knew. Ava was initially shocked, but Barbara's next question calmed her down. "No chance of that."
If Queen Julia’s daughter could have returned, she would have done so long ago. The only token of their relationship had been taken back, so what reason could she possibly have to seek out her mother?
Ava's response eased Barbara's mind. "That's good then."
As Barbara left, Ava's face hardened. She pondered for a moment before picking up the phone. The call was answered promptly.
"Is there any way to prevent Chloe from attending the state banquet?"
A deep male voice responded, "I thought you weren't worried. Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Because I don't want her ruining my mood!"
As the date of the state banquet approached, Chloe received an invitation from Y Country.
Since Presley's observation period wasn't over, and the plane crash incident was still being handled, with Royce and his wife's whereabouts still unknown, Damon couldn't leave. So Chloe had to go to Y Country alone.
Damon arranged an army of bodyguards and a private jet for Chloe, to protect her throughout the journey to Y Country.
Such a grand arrangement might have seemed excessive to others. Chloe, hearing of Damon's plan, felt it was a bit much, but she didn't refuse. She had to be prepared.
There could be many people watching her in places unknown to her. She couldn't afford to become Damon's weakness, and since she was pregnant, she couldn't put herself in any danger.
Extra protection was more than welcome.
With a private jet, time was not an issue.
Before leaving, Chloe paid a visit to Peck Innovations. She needed to get the project she snatched from the Alonso Corporation. Everything needed to be meticulously planned.
Afterwards, Alonso Corporation's stock prices fell for several days. Some people attempted to buy shares, but the quantities were small and insufficient to rescue Alonso Corporation from its crisis. At least they were trying, which was better than nothing.
This kind of stuff used to fly under the radar, but now it was sticking out like a sore thumb. As for these shenanigans, someone brought them up in the meeting.
After hearing this, Axel let out a sarcastic laugh and turned to Chloe sitting next to him. "Ms. Summers, what do you reckon we should do next?"
Yasmine, the biggest shareholder of the company, was sitting at the head of the table, yet Axel decided to shoot the question directly to Chloe.