The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!

Chapter 303: Tristan Rowe’s Banquet

The party is being held at a villa under Tristan Rowe’s name. He enjoys peace and quiet, and the villa is nestled halfway up the mountain.

Luxury cars and well-dressed socialites can be seen everywhere, wearing suits and polished shoes, exuding an aura of glamour. Many are regulars in the media, and there are even a few guests with Western faces.

Maya Monroe first looked around, then withdrew her gaze unnoticeably: "This party is quite grand." She skillfully linked arms with Ian Rowe: "Honey, what do you think Tristan’s purpose is for hosting this party?"

"He has never hosted a party in his own name before, keeping a low profile. The fact that he’s being so flamboyant now suggests he’s planning something big."

Thinking of this, a hint of coldness flashed through Ian Rowe’s eyes.

Maya nodded thoughtfully: "Has Tristan not disclosed the purpose of the party to the outside world?"

"No, he hasn’t."

The two slowly entered the hall, and people immediately gathered around them. Once again, Maya witnessed Ian’s charm. She wanted to step away but was held back by Ian, who gently pressed her hand to comfort her: "Stay by my side, don’t wander off."

Maya could only stand next to him, listening to Ian’s conversations with the others, which mostly revolved around business, something Maya couldn’t understand.

Occasionally, someone would bring up a topic about her, but Maya didn’t have to respond because Ian had already dealt with it. Being a transparent person was quite nice, not having to deal with these bothersome matters.

Ian didn’t linger here for long. He tactfully expressed to those around him that he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to chat further.

Given his status, many people took his feelings into account. After a bit of concerned inquiry, Maya and Ian finally broke free from the crowd.

Ian led her to a relatively quiet place in the hall to sit down, and handed her a glass of juice: "The juice here is fine."

Maya accepted it and thanked him.

A few more people came over, and Ian repeated his earlier method. The people here were smart and adept at reading others’ expressions, so no one came over to chat or disturb them anymore.

Maya held the juice in her hand: "Am I interrupting your business conversations by being here?"

"You’re overthinking it," he added another sentence, "Not at all."

Ian brought over a few snacks, but this time Maya refused: "I don’t have much of an appetite right now, not in the mood to eat."

"What’s wrong, not feeling well?"

"A little."

He then had the waiter remove them.

Ian leaned in close to her, seriously asking, "Who made you unhappy?"

This matter was hard to explain, so Maya brushed it off with a few words: "I can’t even say for sure if I’m happy or not; maybe I suddenly just felt unhappy."

Ian laughed: "That sounds rather capricious."

The words were spoken without much thought, and once she realized, Maya’s cheeks turned slightly red.

She quickly averted her gaze, stood up, and looked around to change the topic: "It’s been a long while, why haven’t I seen Tristan yet?"

"Wait a bit."

As her gaze shifted, Maya unexpectedly saw several familiar people — Franklin Rowe and Jessica Young, accompanied by Howard Rowe and Fiona Rowe, it was indeed Uncle’s family.

"Uncle and Aunt are here too?"

"Eric is here as well." Ian stood up, taking Maya over: "Let’s go say hello."

"Uncle, Aunt,"

Hearing the voice, Jessica Young quickly turned around, and her previously perfunctory smile became more genuine.

"Ah, Tristan, Maya,"

Fiona’s sullen little face instantly brightened up as she quickly sidled up next to Maya: "Sister-in-law, you’re here too, I thought you wouldn’t come. There are so many people I don’t know here; it’s really boring to stay."

She instinctively wrapped her arm around Maya’s without realizing how intimate the gesture was.

Maya didn’t miss the expression of Franklin Rowe’s family. Instead of joyfully attending the party, it seemed more like they were coerced into it.

Maya’s curiosity was instantly piqued, not forgetting to pull Fiona a bit further away, she lowered her voice: "I remember you rarely attend parties."

Bringing this up, Fiona was immediately annoyed: "It’s all because of Grandma, insisting that we all come to participate, saying we need to save face for Uncle, that a family shouldn’t have a falling out..."

Seeing Howard’s cold gaze sweep over, subtly hinting a warning.

Fiona puckered her lips, stuck her tongue out at Howard, then continued to speak to Maya: "Sister-in-law, don’t you think Grandma is weird? Uncle is nearly estranged from us, constantly opposing us, yet Grandma still thinks to support and speak for him as if she’s unaware of the recent happenings!"

Maya also harbored some doubts.

Why does Yolanda Sawyer show such a high level of tolerance towards Tristan Rowe? This is beyond normal scope; Yolanda’s actions broke Maya’s understanding once again.

Tristan is an adopted son of the Rowe Family. Yolanda rarely shows closeness towards Tristan; instead, there is cautiousness and guilt in her eyes.

Tristan stood upstairs, holding a glass of champagne, without taking a sip, merely swirling it gently, observing the hall below.

"The Rowe Family is all here. They’ve certainly honored my invitation."

He smiled, then asked the assistant beside him: "Has Jasper Monroe arrived?"

The assistant looked troubled: "The Monroe Family agreed, but Jasper Monroe and his wife haven’t arrived yet, estimated to take some time."

"Still not here?" Tristan looked down at the watch on his wrist, then let out a cold laugh: "I suppose he doesn’t intend to come at all?"

The assistant hesitated, fearing to upset the temperamental Tristan.

"No matter what methods are used, the Monroe couple must be present; all I care about is the result, understand?"

His grip on the wine glass gradually tightened, his gaze becoming more ruthless.

The assistant quickly nodded, hurrying off to leave.

Tristan’s gaze drifted down; when he unexpectedly met Ian’s gaze from below, he raised his glass towards him, a slow smile creeping across his somber face.

He was met with an icy, piercing stare, as if capable of cracking bones.

Tristan’s smile faded, unashamedly meeting Ian’s gaze.

If it hadn’t been for Ian, the difficult and ruthless contender, perhaps his longstanding plans would have long succeeded.

He turned away, asked a servant nearby, voice surprisingly gentle: "Is everything ready?"

*

The party had been ongoing for a while, but the host stubbornly remained absent, causing dissatisfaction among many. The attendees were all elite members of the upper class, and Tristan’s actions were undoubtedly a slight to them.

A familiar voice called out, Maya turned and looked, then stood up in surprise: "Mom, Dad?"

The newcomers were Jasper Monroe and Monica Jacobs, dressed in formal wear, clearly attending the party as well, albeit with somewhat unhappy expressions.

Maya was naturally aware of the poor relationship between the Monroe Family and Tristan Rowe.

If the Rowe Family attended the party due to the matriarch’s instructions, then what motivated Jasper Monroe and Monica Jacobs?

"Welcome, everyone, to the party..."