Chapter 26 Paige's Birthday

"Why do I have to make things difficult for Alicia?" Paige asked with a furrowed brow.

Louis replied in a monotone voice, "Cause that's just who you are, Mom."

Paige didn't say anything back. Instead, she hung up the phone and opened up text, sending Louis her location. Then she handed her phone back to Alicia and laughed to herself. "That little punk thinks I'm trying to mess with you? Do I look like the devil to you or what?"

Alicia remembered Paige's icy stare she gave Madelyn at the Hermes store. It was impressive, but since it was directed at Madelyn, Alicia felt nothing but satisfaction and admiration.

"No, you're my angel," Alicia replied, flashing a grin.

Paige's anger quickly dissipated, replaced by joy. "You got a way with words, don't you? That little punk Louis is making his wife running away, and I'm just trying to help him make it right. But no, he's too blind to see a good person when he's biting them in the butt like a rabid dog."

Now Alicia understood everything. It had to be Bonnie or Lilith who had said something to Paige. That was why Paige, who was usually cold and distant, had been so kind to Alicia during this trip home, giving her a handbag and a dress. Alicia was beyond thrilled.

Families like the Martinez valued marriage between equals. Back when Louis couldn't even stand and had to sit in a wheelchair, he was seen as a waste, and Alicia was a match for him. But now that he was the CEO of the Martinez Group, a listed corporation that everyone looked up to, Alicia was seen as weak, even with her restoration skills.

Alicia felt it too, and so did everyone else. That was why Madelyn, who came from a rich and influential family, kept trying to provoke Alicia.

Before they knew it, Louis showed up. He pushed open the door and scanned the café. When he saw Alicia, he walked over and grabbed her hand, pulling her up from her seat. In a deep voice, he said, "Let's go."

Alicia quickly yanked her hand back and smiled up at him. "Go where? I'm having a great time chatting with Paige."

She pointed to the bag and gift box on the table. "These are all gifts from Paige."

Louis's expression softened. "She didn't say anything to make you uncomfortable, did she?"

"Nah, Mom's been chill with me," Alicia replied with a shrug.

Louis raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "You sure you are not lying to me?"

Alicia was confused. "Why would I lie to you?"

Louis replied, "I'm just making sure. Alright, you're done with our coffee, let's bounce."

Alicia pouted. "But I haven't seen Paige in forever, can't we hang out a little longer?"

Paige sipped her coffee with a smirk. "Girl, you better go with him now. If you don't, he might start cursing me out in his head."

Alicia chuckled. "He wouldn't do that."

Paige shot Louis a dirty look. "You don't get it. Once men get married, they forget about their mamas. Now all he sees is his wife, you, and not me, his dear old mother."

Despite the complaining, Alicia couldn't help but feel a little sad. She thought to herself, "If that was true and Louis really cared about me, it would be so nice."

Soon it was the end of the month, and Paige's birthday was coming.

In the evening of the special day, Alicia got dolled up in the blue starry dress that Paige had gifted her and put on some light makeup. The driver took her to the villa.

The villa was lit up like a Christmas tree. The spacious and bright living room, towering at nine meters, was decorated to the nines with a luxurious long table adorned with self-service dishes, including exotic delicacies from land and sea. Drinks, fruits, and exquisite desserts were overflowing.

The men were all suited up with ties, while the women donned various evening gowns, looking stunning and dazzling. They all clinked glasses and chatted, making the party lively and bustling.

Paige seemed aloof on the surface, but she was a social butterfly. She flitted around the guests, entertaining them with her wit and charm.

It was the first time Alicia had attended such a lively birthday party since marrying into this family. Before, when Louis was stuck in a wheelchair due to a car accident, the whole family was shrouded in sadness. Even for Bonnie's birthday, they only celebrated with a simple meal with a few close relatives.

As soon as Alicia walked in, all eyes turned to her. Men and women alike were stunned by her beauty.

Alicia was already a hottie without makeup, and with just a little bit on, she was a total knockout. In her formal dress, she looked like a fairy that had come down to earth. Her face was pure radiating, with two acrched eyebrows and big, watery eyes that shone bright. Her slim and graceful figure was covered in a million tiny diamonds on her long navy blue dress, making her look like a galaxy of stars. The light from the lamps and the sparkles on her dress made her look like she was from another planet as she walked.

Paige saw her and immediately grabbed her arm, introducing her to everyone. "This is my daughter-in-law, Alicia."

Everyone was shook. "When did your son get married? Why didn't you tell us?"

Paige smiled. "It's been three years, and we'll have a formal wedding ceremony soon."

This fancy woman in a purple dress was eyeing Alicia up and down like she was a piece of meat, saying, "Wow, this girl is a total bombshell with such a great vibe. She must come from a noble family, right?"

Alicia's face fell a bit as she was about to respond, but Paige took her hand and said, "Alicia is the granddaughter of the legendary art restorer Pierre Valde. She's a cherished princess of her family."

The woman didn't know who Pierre Valdez was and had no clue what that meant, so her tone turned dismissive. "Oh, really? How nice is that? Good for her."

The smiles on everyone else's faces also became a bit thoughtful. Alicia could sense the tension and felt uneasy, but she tried to keep her cool.

Paige led her inside and whispered, "Don't mind those people, they're all stupid and ignorant."

Alicia felt a warm sensation in her heart and smiled. "Thank you, I'm good."

Paige patted her on the shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. Take a seat and grab some food, Louis will be here soon. I'll go say hi to everyone else."

Alicia nodded, "No problem, go ahead."

Once Paige was gone, Alicia found a spot to sit down. She had been married to Louis for three years, living a simple and quiet life, and this was her first time being around so many people. She didn't know anyone at the party except for Paige, so she felt a bit out of place.

She grabbed a glass of juice and sipped it while scrolling through her phone, trying to ignore the noise around her.

Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her that was sharp and sarcastic, "Oh, Alicia is here too. This little dress turns a sparrow into a phoenix, I almost didn't recognize you."

The voice was like nails on a chalkboard, making Alicia's skin crawl. She turned her head to see who it was.

There was a tall, slender woman in a black evening gown not far away, who looked younger than her actual age thanks to some serious maintenance. She had a long and narrow face with high cheekbones, and her eyes and eyebrows had a sharpness to them.

It was Louis's aunt, Aileen Martinez.

Alicia stood up and smiled sheepishly, greeting her, "Hello, auntie."

Aileen held a glass of red wine and walked over in high heels, casting a sideways glance and sizing her up, "You're so lucky to have my nephew. He's got it all, money, family background, looks, and manners."

Alicia tipped her head back and smirked, "Louis may be top-notch, but I'm no slouch either."

Aileen took a swig of her wine, sneering, "You ain't half bad, but let's be real, your family isn't on the same level as ours."

Alicia kept her cool and responded casually, "Who cares about my family background? Louis treats me like a queen. And, honestly, Bonnie, Paige, and Lilith have shown me mad love and respect too."

Aileen was caught off guard by Alicia's quick wit and ability to clap back despite her gentle demeanor. No matter what Aileen said, Alicia had a comeback ready to go.

Getting more irate by the second, Aileen spat out, "They are just being polite. Don't try to act like you're something you're not!"

Suddenly, a deep, no-nonsense voice boomed from behind them, "Alicia doesn't need to prove herself to anyone. She's a diamond in the rough, and more than worthy of being by my side!"

Alicia swiveled around to see a strapping, sharp-dressed man with sharp features and an air of confidence approaching them. He stopped right in front of Aileen. Looking down at her, he said sternly, "She's my wife, so I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself, Auntie."

Aileen went ghostly pale and was so furious that she couldn't even get words out.

"Hey there, honey," Alicia beamed, her eyes sparkling as she rushed over to Louis.