Chapter 27 The Reward From the Howard Family
After a month of crazy prep, Hayden's birthday bash finally kicked off right on schedule.
In the dressing room, my stylist was putting the final touches on my dress. I’d picked out this light purple V-neck mermaid gown, with these cool scale-like decorations running from the chest to the hem. Under the lights, it looked all gentle and romantic. I was slim but had curves in all the right places, and the dress hugged my waist and hips, making me look like a graceful mermaid.
"Mrs. Howard, I can't believe you've kept such a perfect figure after four years of marriage. What's your secret?" the stylist gushed.
"You're too kind," I said, checking myself out in the mirror. Suddenly, I felt a warm touch on the back of my neck. I turned around and, surprise, Edward had somehow taken the stylist's place behind me. He was rocking a blue suit today.
"Good choice," Edward said in his slightly hoarse voice, his eyes locked on me. "Help me pick a tie." There was this dangerous edge in his voice that made me tense up. I hesitated for just a second before grabbing a tie that matched my dress and helping him put it on.
Edward, you were once like a vast ocean, and I was the mermaid who dove in for love.
"You've worked so hard for dad's birthday party. Thanks for all your dedication," Edward said with a smile.
"This is my first time organizing such a big event. I'm a little nervous about something going wrong." Ever since I started planning Hayden's party, Edward had been praising me a lot, which made me feel a bit shy.
"Don't worry. We'll face anything that comes up together." At that moment, it felt like the Edward I once deeply loved had come back.
The grand celebration was about to start. The place was decked out festively, with red ribbons and gold decorations symbolizing the awesome life Hayden had lived.
The banquet hall was lit up brightly. Anne clung to Edward's arm like an accessory, not caring about the awkwardness when Edward greeted guests.
I stood in a corner of the hall, watching Hayden being escorted by Clara into the room and then surrounded by everyone. Hayden looked especially lively today, his eyes shining with the wisdom of years and his face beaming with happiness.
Everyone's eyes were on Hayden, eagerly waiting for his speech.
"Today, I want to thank all my friends and family for coming to my birthday party," Hayden's voice was loud and strong. "I have an important announcement to make."
The crowd immediately quieted down, curious to hear what he had to say.
Hayden's gaze fell on me, and he smiled. "Diana has been part of the Howard Family for four years now, and she is gentle and virtuous. I hereby announce that if Diana gives birth to a child, she will be rewarded with a house. If she has a boy, she will receive an additional $100 million, and if she has a girl, she will receive $80 million. If she has twins, all my assets will be transferred to Diana and the two children upon their birth." After speaking, Hayden looked at Clara, who smiled and nodded.
Hayden's words were like a bomb dropped in a calm lake, causing a huge stir.
I was so shocked I didn't know how to react.
The guests were all surprised, their eyes gleaming with excitement. An elderly gentleman nodded repeatedly, praising, "Hayden is truly generous, treating Diana so well. It's rare!"
Edward walked through the crowd with a glass of wine and whispered in my ear, "Given his offer, are you still determined to divorce me?"
I smiled and clinked glasses with Edward, dodging his question. I tagged along with him, toasting all the big shots in the business world, always slipping in a mention of my profession. With Edward's clout, I could at least get my name out there. No matter how important the guest was, they'd take my business card out of respect. This was my reward for a month of hard work. Edward's face darkened, but he had to keep it together in front of everyone.
Keeping up appearances was exhausting.
Then Anne came over, saying, "Edward, there are so many people I don't know! Please introduce them to me," she said, grabbing Edward's arm and dragging him away.
"The reward is so tempting," a stylishly dressed young woman nudged her heavily made-up friend. The other one replied, "Yeah, it's really a case of different fates for different people."
"I can have kids too. If only I could marry Edward!"
"Edward wouldn't look at you. If anyone's marrying him, it's me!"
"Too bad our dreams of marrying Edward are shattered. Cheers, cheers."
The older folks were mostly chatting about this with satisfied smiles, thinking the Howard Family's focus on descendants and their generous treatment of Diana was a sign of family harmony.
Anyone who wants to be Mrs. Howard can have him, I thought. I couldn't care less.
I walked over to the women. "Do you want to meet Edward? How about I introduce you?"
"Forget it, Edward has been married for four years. Didn't you see him holding Mrs. Howard's hand?" I followed the woman's gaze and saw Edward holding Anne's hand while talking to Nicholas. From the back, Edward and Anne's height difference did look well-matched. I laughed. "Who says he can't get divorced after getting married? Whoever can have the child can get the reward."
The two women were tempted by my words and followed me to Edward. I took the chance to slip out of the banquet hall.
Even though no one was forcing drinks at the party, the constant toasts had made me a bit tipsy. I decided to head to the pavilion to get some fresh air and sober up. A familiar voice called out to me, "Diana, long time no see." I turned around and saw Nicholas.
"Nicholas, hello," I greeted him awkwardly but politely. The awkwardness was because I had previously acknowledged Nicholas as my godfather to save the Cooper Group, but Mia had ordered me to cut ties with him.
"Are you really not going to acknowledge me as your godfather anymore?" Nicholas wasn't angry; instead, he smiled generously. "Mia came to see me and asked me to cut off contact with you."
I could have guessed this, but what surprised me was that Nicholas told me Mia had given him a guaranteed profitable project to repay the favor of saving the Cooper Group.
"Diana, don't blame me for being ruthless. I'm a businessman, and what businessman doesn't value profit? Mia also stopped you from leaving Edward for the sake of profit. I can see that the Howard Family values you, so live your life well!" Nicholas said and then left, leaving me to ponder his words.
However, I didn't have much time to think before Anne came over. "Diana, there you are. I've been looking for you for a while." Anne was wearing a sweet little dress, making her a unique sight at the party. "You and Edward looked so happy at the party just now. I'm so envious of you! But I've decided that I'll study hard in my last year of school, get my diploma, and then go abroad for further studies as Edward and my parents suggested. You should hurry up and give Edward a pair of twins. When I come back, I'll help you take care of them."
"Having a plan for your future is a good thing. We'll be waiting for your return." I couldn't understand what had caused Anne to change her mind so quickly, but considering that she wouldn't be causing me any trouble for at least a year, I was happy.
So, Anne and I walked back to the banquet hall arm in arm.
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