Party Ruckus - Part 1

'Sister?' Lyanna asked inwardly.

As far as she knows, the prodigy, Sophia Carter, did have an older sister who was five years older.

'So that's her, huh…' Lyanna wondered.

Based on the report about Sophia that she received a few days ago, Helena Carter was a very low-profile person, the information about her was really scarce and somehow, limited. It's almost like she didn't even exist at all.

If someone didn't purposely dig about the Carter, no one would know that the family actually has two daughters, instead of, only one.

Hardly anyone knew about Helena, including Lyanna herself.

'No… No… Something is wrong here. It's impossible for that kind of woman to be unknown all the time.' Lyanna's suspicion of Helena grew stronger.

Judging from her observation, she had to admit that Helena was remarkable. Not just due to her stellar appearance, it's because she also carried a mixed air of ultimate aloofness and confidence, giving people the impression that she was both capable and outstanding. In other words, a primadonna.

Therefore, there's no way for a woman like her to never cause even a local sensation. Her kind will always draw lots of spotlights anywhere they went.

That's why Lyanna didn't believe the idea that Helena was just a simple person without any kind of achievement. She decides to make a mental note about this woman.

Then, she glanced at Peter who stood next to her and rolled her eyes upon seeing the wretched look on his face as he was staring intensely at the pair of sisters embracing each other.

'This dumb perverted!' She cursed him within her mind.

But she wasn't a bit of surprised by seeing him acting like that. Peter Oxford was infamously known to be extremely lustful.

'Hmm… Maybe, I could use him to probe Helena.' Another idea sprung inside Lyanna's head.

***

"How are you doing? Are you living well when I wasn't at home?" Helena asked with a soft tone while hugging her little sister.

"I'm fine, but I missed you though," Sophia replied.

Helena smiled after hearing that, "I missed you too, dear sister. Happy birthday, by the way."

"Hehehe. And where's my present?"

Sophia released herself from her sister's embrace and reached out her hand.

"Here… But you can only open it later when you're alone." Helena gave a small box enclosed by a colorful wrapping paper to Sophia.

Sophia's eyes glittering with sparkles as she received the gift, "Thank you so much, sis!"

Helena smiled sweetly, "You're welcome."

Ramon, who accompanied Helena, watched the sisters' interaction with amusement.

It's truly rare for his always stoic and enigmatic master to show a different side like that. The only thing that can make her behaving like that was her family.

It could be said, for Helena, nothing was more important in this world than her family, especially her little sister.

"Come, sis. I want to introduce you to my friends." Sophia said happily as she tries to drag Helena's hand.

"Alright… alright. Take it easy." Helena smiled wryly and let her sister guide her.

Sophia dragged her sister to where her friends were waiting at.

"Hey, guys. This is my sister, Helena." Then, she turned her head back toward her sister, "And sis, these guys are all my friends from high school."

"Hi, Miss Helena. Nice to meet you." Sophia's friends greeted Helena eagerly.

Most of them had sparkling eyes as they looking at her. They all thought Helena was just too beautiful.

"Hello… A pleasure to meet all of you too." Helena warmly greeted them back while sweeping her eyes upon the group.

'No boys, that's good.' She was relieved that there was no male among them.

"Where's mother and father?" Helena inquired about her parents, she hasn't seen them ever since she arrived.

"They're inside the house. There's a very important guest they need to accompany."

"I see."

"Miss Sophia, is that your older sister? Care to introduce me to her?"

Suddenly, someone was barging into the sisters' conversation.

It was a graceful girl in a white dress and a handsome youth in luxurious attire, both were approaching the sisters with warm smiles hanging on each of their faces while being accompanied by several followers.

Helena took a glance at the two, and she immediately recognized the girl, 'Sky Tearing Witch's disciple?'

As a former member of Gaia's five Diamond-class rankers, of course, Helena had some interaction with the rest of the members, including Sky Tearing Witch.

Although she and Sky Tearing Witch only has a neutral relationship with each other, neither friendly nor hostile, Sky Tearing Witch had introduced her disciple to Helena on one occasion in the past. Thus, Helena could quickly recognize Lyanna.

However, the same thing didn't happen to Lyanna as she didn't recognize Helena.

Every time Helena assume the identity of Amethyst Queen, she always wore a mask and changed her aura greatly. Hiding the fact that Helena Carter and the famed Amethyst Queen were the same person.

Now, Helena was confused about why would Sky Tearing Witch's disciple be in here, attending her sister's birthday party.

But then, she realized that Lyanna was also a princess of Merlin, a member of the Royal Family. Helena postulated that the princess definitely came here as the kingdom's representative. Hence, there's no need for her to overly cautious.

"Yes, Your Highness. This is indeed my older sister." Sophia respectfully said.

"Greetings, Princess Lyanna. I'm Helena Carter, a pleasure to meet you." Helena greeted Lyanna normally, without being humble nor overbearing.

Lyanna slightly raised her eyebrows briefly and replied, "Likewise, Miss Helena. I believe this is our first time meeting each other, and I must say you're really beautiful."

"Thank you for the praise. You're also very graceful, Princess. As expected from the only disciple of Sky Tearing Witch." Although Helena returned the praise, her tone was a bit indifferent.

Lyanna's mouth curved upward, "Anyway, I kinda curious about you, Miss. Can you tell me what's your profession? I meant no harm, of course, it's just for a woman with your demeanor, surprisingly, you're not really well-known in Seastar."

A weird glint flashed across Helena's eyes, 'It looks like this little princess is seriously curious about me. Did she harbored some suspicion?'

Then, she noticed a middle-aged woman with the cultivation of peak stage Platinum-class, who stood behind Lyanna, keep stealing glances at Ramon warily.

'So like that, huh? Bringing Ramon here is not wise… But well, what was happen already happened.' Helena sighed inwardly.

"My job isn't actually worthy enough to be mentioned to you. I'm working as a simple manager in Regalia Jewelry." She answered calmly.

She didn't entirely lie, but not being totally honest either, Helena's name was really listed as an employee in Regalia Jewelry, a company specialized in manufacturing and selling jewelry and magical artifacts. On the surface, the company was subsidiary under the Amethyst Group, a huge conglomerate which wholly owned by Amethyst Queen, thus in truth, owned by Helena herself.

Lyanna's eyes widened for a bit. She knows what kind of company Regalia Jewelry was. It was the largest magical artifact manufacturing company in Heavenly Tower's 1st layer.

Their HQ was located in Purple Sky Castle, but their branches existed throughout Gaia, even in a few alien worlds which were connected to Heavenly Tower's 1st layer.

The company controlled at least 70% of the magical artifacts market. Most of their products were top-notch and their quality was unmatched. And since they were under the umbrella of Amethyst Group, which was helmed by Amethyst Queen herself, it could be said that their influence was at the top.

No matter within Heavenly Tower's 1st layer or Gaia, nobody dares to mess with the company, the wrath of Amethyst Queen wasn't something that anyone could resist, not even sovereign states.

Amethyst Group was famously known to be extremely generous and protective to their employees, including even the lowest-level workers. Thus, working at the conglomerate and its subsidiary companies were the dreams of many people.

But it wasn't easy to apply for a job in the group. Ultimate professionalism, utmost dedication, and loyalty were required aside from ability, and the way the Amethyst Group recruits their employee was tremendously strict.

"Ah… So you worked in Regalia Jewelry, not to mention, as a manager too. How wonderful!" Lyanna exclaimed in astonishment, but underneath her facade, a hint of suspicion still lingered.

"Sis, you actually work as a manager in Regalia Jewelry?" Sophia asked for a confirmation.

This was the first time for Helena to reveal her profession. Sophia and her parents never knew what Helena actually does for a living before.

"I am," Helena confirmed shortly.

"Haha, great sis. I know you're a capable woman. You can land a job as a manager in the largest jewelry company in the whole Gaia. That's not easy, you know." Sophia sincerely complimented her sister.

She knew precisely how difficult for a person to get a job in Regalia Jewelry, she thought her sister must have worked so diligently and hard in order to reach her current position.

"Yes… yes… Your sister is undoubtedly excellent, Sophia. Regalia is a good company with great service. I've always relied on them whenever I like to buy some jewelry. They're marvelous." Peter, who keep silent since a while ago, suddenly blurted out some comments.

Sophia, who didn't realize that Peter was actually nearby, was stunned and her expression turned ugly, "What are you doing here? You already greet me before, so there's no need for you to remain here, right?"

Peter didn't mind Sophia's aggressive bearing, "Relax, dear… I come here after seeing your sister arrived, I just want to know her, that's all."

He shamelessly said that while at the same time his eyes were "scanning" Helena's bombastic body, up and down.

Helena frowned upon seeing this young golden-haired boy blatantly staring at her with wretched look.