Chapter 1579 Despair's Deepest Depths
Ann followed the crowd's gaze and spotted Connie standing by the priceless champagne tower.
Though not particularly overweight, she stood out conspicuously among the young servers in her ill-fitting uniform.
Connie's face had been trending in videos earlier that day—anyone who followed popular topics would recognize her instantly.
Yet Connie showed no sign of embarrassment as her eyes darted around the room, clearly searching for someone. Ann instinctively assumed she was the target and stepped back with a frown.
Suddenly, a half-naked man reeking of whiskey stumbled out from a corner, causing several guests to shriek in alarm.
"Security!" someone called out.
The intoxicated man began making a spectacle of himself—attempting to embrace young female guests one moment, then rolling on the floor the next, his dignity completely abandoned.
Security guards quickly moved in to remove him.
Ann's stomach dropped as she recognized the man's bloated figure and bleary eyes—it was her stepfather, Otha.
Connie rushed forward, blocking the security guards and frantically trying to cover Otha with his discarded shirt.
"You idiot! Didn't I tell you not to drink at events like this?" she hissed, struggling with him. "Put your clothes on, for God's sake!"
The other guests whispered among themselves, wondering how such people had gained entry to such an exclusive gathering. Connie's gaze swept the room before landing on Paul, her expression brightening with recognition.
Elara, standing beside Paul, noticed his face darken the moment Connie appeared. His expression grew even stormier when the half-naked man began his drunken antics.
Since the Adams family was hosting the event, this disruption was clearly meant to embarrass them.
Paul's voice turned glacial. "Who was responsible for vetting the servers tonight?"
Hearing this, Connie approached with a saccharine smile. "Mr. Adams, what a way to greet family! We heard about you and Ann and just had to meet you. I apologize for not calling ahead, but Ann's told us you've been together for quite some time. You're certainly as handsome as she described! I'm her mother, Connie, and this is her father, Otha. We came specially to congratulate you both. I hear you organized this lovely event—you must be doing very well for yourself."
As she mentioned wealth, a flash of naked greed crossed her face, transparent to everyone watching.
The atmosphere grew painfully awkward. Connie and the disheveled Otha—his shirt hanging open to expose his protruding belly—were glaringly out of place among the elegant guests, though they seemed utterly oblivious to this fact.
The staff coordinator approached Paul, head bowed in embarrassment. "Mr. Adams, she claimed to be your girlfriend's mother, so I thought—"
Paul's expression hardened further.
Elara watched with barely concealed satisfaction from the sidelines. She had orchestrated the whole scene, personally ensuring this bizarre couple would gain entry.
Only by having them humiliate themselves at an Adams family event could she permanently destroy any possibility between Ann and Paul.
As if on cue, Timothy Adams, Paul's grandfather, emerged from the crowd, supported by several family members.
"Paul," he called, his voice carrying authority despite its softness.
Paul's demeanor immediately shifted to one of respect. "Grandfather."
The room fell silent, but Connie—utterly tone-deaf to social cues—bustled forward to Timothy.
"Well, if it isn't my future in-law! We're practically family now," she gushed. "Hello there! I'm Ann's mother. My daughter is your grandson's girlfriend."
Timothy coughed once, his brow furrowing deeply, but maintained the dignified bearing of his lineage. He looked only at Paul and said quietly, "Handle this," before allowing family members to escort him away.
The crowd's attention shifted repeatedly to Ann, their whispers cutting through the room like knives.
Ann felt her skin burning, not from embarrassment but from a profound, hollow ache. There was no greater sorrow than the death of hope.
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