Coolest Girl in Town (Elise and Alexander)
Chapter 7

Actually, Ashlyn didn't complete her studies. It was just that the Lawsons spent a lot of money to gether a college degree. The Lawsons and the Griffiths were old family friends. Not only did Ashlyngrow up loving Alexander, but she had been brought up by the Lawsons as the future Mrs. Griffithever since she was a child. She didn't expect Elise to pop up from nowhere. What entitles this uglycountry bumpkin to choose one of the Griffith Family's five sons to be her fiancé? Ashlyn’s facedarkened slightly. She can lay a hand on any of them—but not Alexander! ...... The car slowly made itto the Griffith Residence. The other three Griffith siblings were at home, and they warmly greetedAshlyn, whom they hadn't seen for a long time. Ashlyn took out the gifts she had prepared abroadand handed them to everyone. After a pause, she looked at Elise again and said apologetically, “I'msorry, Elise. I only got to know you're visiting the Griffiths when I came back, so I didn’t prepare agift for you...” Elise thought this lady was quite a poser, but before she could speak, the talkativeDanny cut in, “What are you apologizing for, Ashlyn? You two aren't even close.” Then, as he openedhis present, he exclaimed in awe, “Wow, it's the latest game console—and a limited edition one atthat! It's too kind of you, Ashlyn.” Elise felt alienated from everyone else, but she didn’t want toblend in either, so she went upstairs on her own. After a while, she heard a knock on her bedroomdoor; she opened the door and looked at Alexander before her in puzzlement. “The Lawsons arethrowing a dinner party tonight to welcome Ashlyn’s return. Grandpa asked me to attend the partywith you,” explained Alexander. Since it was his turn to escort Elise around today, the rest of heraffairs were handed over to him as well. Elise didn't feel like going at first when she heard this, butnow that Jonah had asked Alexander to go with her, it would seem improper for her to not attendthe party. After giving a sigh, she left for the boutique with Alexander, as well as Ashlyn. After theyarrived at the boutique, Alexander sat down on the couch and waited for the two ladies. Ashlyn tookElise’s hand like a big sister while saying to her, “Elise, don't be too nervous at the party later. Don'tworry; just ask for me if there's anything.” Elise could hardly stand the sight of this woman's affectedmanners. She replied with a smile, “It's alright; Grandpa Griffith said Alexander will be my escorttoday. I'm relieved to have him around me.” As Elise had expected, Ashlyn's face froze visibly, andshe unconsciously tightened her grip on Elise’s hand. However, she resumed her genial countenancesoon afterward. “You're right. Let's choose our dresses, then. We'd better not keep Alexanderwaiting,” she said with a smile. Then, she continued, “How about I pick a dress for you? I often studythese dresses.” “Okay.” “How about this one?” Elise looked at the dress Ashlyn was holding. It was astrapless dark green evening dress totally unsuited for her age, for it was typically worn by womenin their late 30s. As expected, this woman is a goody two shoes, she thought. On the other hand,Ashlyn was certain that Elise, a country bumpkin, knew little about these things. “What's wrong? Youdon't like it?” she asked. Unsurprisingly, Elise nodded. “Okay, I'll take this one,” Elise replied. Like hellI'll care about what I'm wearing when I've made my face look like this. Ashlyn curved her lips in asmile. “Let's go put on our makeup then.” “No, I'm good. I've been having skin allergies lately.”Ashlyn said nothing much in reply. After all, it pleased her the most if Elise looked ugly. The twoladies came out of the dressing room when they were done. In striking contrast to Elise, Ashlynseemed charmingly tender in her light blue evening dress. Alexander knitted his brows slightly, buthe said nothing. The dinner party was held at the Lawson Residence, and those invited were Ashlyn’sfriends and some of her relatives. After getting there, Ashlyn went to greet the guests. “So thatlady's Elise Sinclair, huh? How's such an ugly woman qualified to stand beside Alexander, Ashlyn?”said Katie Moss, Ashlyn’s cousin. At Jonah's request, Alexander stayed with Elise after arriving at theparty, and the pair drew a lot of attention as they stood together. Ashlyn looked somewhatdispleased. She's right. Not even I have ever attended a party with Alexander as his partner; whatqualifies that woman to do so? Just then, Katie said viciously, “Since she dares to attend the party, Imust teach her a lesson, Ashlyn.” Ashlyn warned with a slight frown, “Don’t do anything reckless,Katie.” “Don’t worry, Ashlyn. I know my limits.” ...... At the party, Alexander ran into several of hisfriends in business circles, so he chatted a little with them. On the other hand, Elise wandered alonearound the swimming pool in the back garden. I'm bored to death. Why don't I sneak away and gohang out with Jamie later? she thought. Before she realized what had happened, someone knockedinto her with great force, causing her to lose her balance and fall into the swimming pool besideher. She struggled in the swimming pool. She wasn't afraid of anything—except open water! As thedinner party was held in the back garden, everyone clamored at the sight of what had happened.Ashlyn curved her lips in a barely imperceptible smile, but the smile froze on her face when she sawAlexander diving into the water. ...... After being rescued from the swimming pool, Elise andAlexander were taken to separate rooms upstairs to get changed. Elise looked as black as thunderas she stood in the room wrapped in a bath towel. That person will be dead meat for knocking meinto the pool just now! Just then, she heard a knock on the door, followed by Matthew's voice. “I'mhere to bring you some clothes, Elise. Are you alright?” Coming to her senses, Elise opened thedoor, took the clothes from Matthew, and thanked him. “You...” Matthew looked astounded beforeher. This face looks worlds apart from her previous looks! In fact, it looks just like the photo Dannyshowed us before... Only then did Elise realize what had happened. Her makeup had run a little backwhen she was rescued, and she wiped it away with a towel just now because she wasn't feeling well.Even though her wig was still intact, her face... Argh, I've let my anger get the better of me! Howcould I forget about this?!