The Wife Is a Superstar 2

Chapter 352 - Stirring Inside

Negative feelings simmered within Jennie. However, she didn't notice that they weren't completely hers. She only knew that she felt indignant for her friend, Hoyeon. Unbeknownst to her, something began stirring inside her. It was affecting her own emotions in an inconspicuous and subtle manner. It made her loathe the elders and the other members of the Kim family, despite not meeting them personally after waking up as Jennie.

Huge drops of sweat began dripping from Hoyeon's face. Her skin felt cold to the touch. It was not noticeable but her hands were trembling.

"Elders, please excuse us. Father says we need to return quickly to his side and join him in greeting the rest of the guests," Jennie interrupted in a cold, emotionless voice. Then she grabbed Hoyeon's hand and pulled her away, not waiting for the elders' permission to let them go.

Donghwi was only momentarily surprised by her brusque action before running after them.

"How disrespectful! I was feeling optimistic that Ruby has finally changed for the better, but look at her! Still the same rude, willful and spoiled brat!" Jufang complained.

He hadn't finished scolding Donghwi yet. He also planned on warning his bodyguard mistress away and on lecturing Jennie afterwards. He was very displeased that Jennie dragged them away before he could finish everything he had to say.

"Young Master Hwi started defying us around the time he grew closer to Young Miss Ruby," Meng commented. "I think that Young Miss is the bad influence to Young Master Hwi. She has corrupted him with her bad behaviour. What's even more disgraceful is she's reportedly friends with that bodyguard! It's no wonder that Young Master Hwi has become so rebellious because he has been hanging out with bad company."

The elders continued to grumble about Jennie, Donghwi and his "bodyguard mistress", Hoyeon.

Jennie and the couple joined Jihoon and the others in greeting the visitors.

Jihoon knew by their expressions that the elders must've said something unpleasant to them. He inwardly sighed, feeling a slight headache. He loved his children and wanted to protect them, but as the head of the family, he also had a duty to take into account the opinions of the elders and the other branch families. It was difficult balancing his duty as the family head and his personal feelings as a father. But he must do it.

In between greeting and chatting with the guests, Alice stuck with Jennie and Hoyeon. Her constant chatter gradually eased Hoyeon's nerves until she was able to calm down. Alice also included Jisoo and Chaeng in the conversations. The guys, Donghwi and Jay, were involuntarily excluded from the girl's group.

Chaeng acted polite throughout the conversations, but she ignored Jennie. She was still hostile towards Jennie and unable to forget her grudge.

As for Jennie, her bad mood didn't go away after leaving the elders. In fact, the negative feelings simmering inside her gradually grew stronger. The more Chaeng blatantly ignored her, the more Jennie wanted to slap her face.

She also felt annoyed at Jisoo who acted nice and shy. Jisoo was very considerate with her words. Jennie could almost see a bright halo floating over Jisoo's head. It made her feel surly.

The change in her emotions was so subtle that Jennie treated these irrational feelings as her own.

Despite the tense undercurrents between them, they still interacted politely with each other. It gave the guests an impression that all of Jihoon's children got along with one another.

After greeting most of the guests, Jihoon asked for everyone's attention. They stopped their chatters to listen to him.

"My dear friends, I would like to thank all of you for coming to celebrate my birthday today. My wife and I appreciate your time and your well-wishes. I am very happy today because all of my children came tonight. My firstborn, Donghwi. My second son, Jay. My first daughter, Jisoo. And my youngest daughter, Ruby. You may know her as Jennie Kim."

The guests murmured among each other.

"So her real name is Ruby..."

Some of the Kim's closest family friends already knew her real name, but most of guests attending the party didn't know. This was the first time they heard of Jennie's real name.

"I am very proud of all of my children. They are the greatest blessings of my life. My biggest wish for my birthday is to watch all of my children develop their own set of strong wings and fly high towards their respective successful lives."

The four Kim siblings smiled at their father's words. Whether they were acting or not, the guests couldn't be sure.

Jihoon spoke for a bit more before ending his speech.

Everyone clapped their hands when he finished speaking. Then they raised their glasses in a toast to a long life for him.

The party resumed.

Jay excused himself to join Xiao's group. He was closest to Xiao's branch family. He never experienced any discrimination from them for being illegitimate. This branch family was among the weakest and least influential in the Kim clan, but Jay planned on elevating their status when he succeeded as head of the family and Kim Industries.

Jihoon and Jia began moving around to entertain the guests and also to personally speak to the important personages who attended. As the heir, Donghwi was instructed to join them.

"Come with me?" Donghwi asked Hoyeon.

She quickly shook her head. "You go ahead. I'll just stay here with Ruby and Alice."

He hesitated for a few moments before nodding. There was even a faint hint of relief in his eyes. Then he followed Jihoon and Jia in going around.

Jennie clicked her tongue, displeased at his actions. "He wanted you come with him tonight, but he's leaving you just like that? I thought he was going to introduce you to everyone? What's he doing now? How irresponsible."

The ill feelings inside her magnified all the shortcomings she noticed among the members of the Kim family, including Donghwi. Surrounded by the Kims in this party, these feelings only solidified even more inside her.

However, Jennie still failed to notice the qualitative change in her emotions.

She turned to Hoyeon. "If he continues to lack resolve in fighting for you like this, feel free to find a better man than him. I don't want my godson to follow a spineless father like him as a role model."