When Leanne clocked out from work, Mary's driver was already waiting to whisk her away to try on evening gowns and get her makeup done. Penelope helped organize the charity gala this time, and Selina had to attend. When Selina and Leanne decided to join in, Joy wouldn't miss it. Leanne quickly texted Jennifer to see if she wanted a lift.
Soon, the trio converged, and professional stylists swarmed around Leanne, applying makeup and styling her hair. Meanwhile, Selina and Joy were a whirlwind of unsolicited advice.
Selina, a beauty blogger by trade, couldn't resist meddling. "Don't go too heavy on the brows. She looks better with more natural, feathered brows. Oh, do you even know how to do it? Let me handle this."
Noting the makeup artist's choice of blush, Joy interrupted, "Skip that. She doesn't need it. Just have Curtis give her a peck on the cheek, and that's all the blush she needs."
The makeup artist was at a loss for words.
Leanne got fed up and said, "Why don't you two go outside?"
Joy mimed zipping her lips and playfully zipped up Selina's, too.
When Leanne emerged in the gown Mary had picked for her, Selina couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, Mary's still got an eye for fashion at eighty!" Feeling competitive, Joy muttered jealously, "Curtis doesn't deserve you."
With those two around, Leanne barely had a moment of silence.
...
That day, Mary wore a blouse embroidered in the style of traditional folk art, a gift from Leanne, its vibrant teal hue complementing her complexion beautifully. She sat surrounded by guests in the living room.
"It's hard to believe my dear Charles has been gone for twenty years. Time flies. Vector Vista has flourished over the years. And the kids have all done well. He'd be at peace knowing this," Mary reflected.
"We mustn't forget our roots, and giving back to the community is the least we can do. At my age, there's not much I want for myself but to gather blessings for my grandchildren."
Apart from a substantial donation made in memory of her late husband, Charles, Curtis' grandfather, she also spearheaded an auction of various antiques from the Richardson family's collection.
Admiring guests complimented her. "You're so blessed with Mr. Phillip and Mr. Curtis being such distinguished and capable young men."
A distracted Curtis, clutching a champagne flute, occasionally glanced toward the banquet hall's entrance.
After finishing her conversation with the group of ladies, Mary, feeling a bit worn, stood up with Sarah's help to rest.
Curtis joked, "If you're that bored, I might as well send you to a peaceful mountain retreat to live out your days. You're always finding ways to meddle in my affairs."
Mary pointed at him and instructed Sarah, "Take a picture of this ungrateful grandson and expose him!"
"What now?" Curtis sighed, caught between a rock and a hard place. "Are you adopting her as your granddaughter, and I'm what, your grandson-in- law?"
"Do whatever you want," Mary dismissed him with a wave. "You can't even bring her back. What use are you?"
"Stay out of our business. I know I made Anne suffer before, but I can't rush things now. Don't make this harder for me. How about I promise you a great-granddaughter next year?" Curtis tried to talk her out of it. "Come on, no more fussing, okay?"
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