Noticing Ella's silence, Stella wisely decided to keep her mouth shut.
As soon as Ella Grant got up to go to the restroom, Stella Grant exchanged a glance with the waiter beside her, who immediately set down his tray and followed her.
Ella was too sharp to be fooled by such tricks. She took a winding path, completely losing the waiter in the process.
It took the waiter ten minutes to realize he had lost track of her.
On her way back, Ella passed by the hotel kitchen and inhaled deeply, catching a whiff of a strange aroma.
She wondered who the unfortunate soul would be to encounter whatever that was.
This dinner party was turning out to be quite interesting, Ella thought to herself, just as she spotted a sneaky figure slipping out of the kitchen.
With a smile, she decided to follow her instincts and headed toward the banquet hall.
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Stella Grant assumed Ella had been locked in the restroom and quickly took the opportunity to invite her peers for a toast.
This was a customary practice at family gatherings; once the elders were seated, the younger ones had to go around the tables to offer toasts, making sure no one was left out.
Stella and her friends were familiar faces from previous years, and they exchanged compliments. Many were eager to catch a glimpse of Ella Grant, but unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found.
"Dalton, where's your daughter?"
"Why didn't you come to toast?"
Dalton Grant was in high spirits until he heard his eldest daughter's name, and he hesitated as he glanced over.
Sure enough, it was Stella Grant standing there alone, while Ella Grant was nowhere to be seen.
What a good daughter he had!
This was outrageous! Dalton's anger surged, shattering his good mood. All the advice he had given himself before leaving home seemed to be in vain!
When Ella finally appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, everyone could hear Dalton calling her name.
"Ella Grant, get over here!"
Ella let out a sigh. Why make a fuss in front of so many people?
Even Grandma Cooper turned to look in their direction.
"Where have you been?" Dalton questioned.
"I went to the restroom."
"Do you even know what you're supposed to do? I told you to learn from Stella Grant. What have you picked up? Can't you see everyone else is toasting?"
Dalton was fuming, and with the alcohol kicking in, his voice rose.
Ella found his reaction completely baffling. No one had informed her about this beforehand. Was she supposed to just guess?
Considering the dinner party, Ella didn't want to argue with Dalton Grant. She hadn't even had the chance to speak up for herself when he suddenly exploded in anger.
But then, out of nowhere, a loud thud echoed through the room as Dalton collapsed to the floor, clutching his chest and gasping for breath. He looked as if he were having a serious medical emergency.
"Dad, what's wrong?!" Stella Grant exclaimed, rushing over in a panic.