Chapter 305 Birthday Banquet
Weekend, Birthday Party.
Tiffany was so excited the night before that she couldn't sleep, fantasizing about outshining everyone at the party the next evening. She couldn't help but laugh at the thought.
Not only that, she had someone edit her old acting videos and photoshopped many of her beautiful pictures from back then, planning to play them on a loop at the birthday party to catch everyone's eye.
As a result, the next day, Tiffany looked exhausted with bloodshot eyes.
"Quickly call my beautician to come here and give me a treatment! Hurry up!" Tiffany was frantic, pacing around the room.
Like a manic patient, she angrily smashed an expensive cup.
Patrick couldn't see this arrogant and irritable side of her.
The servant waiting outside the door was so scared that they immediately ran off to get help.
Tiffany looked at herself in the mirror, fuming with anger!
She was celebrating her birthday on the same day as Joyce, competing against her.
Although she hadn't seen Joyce in many years, and even though she was confident in her status as Patrick's legitimate wife, far superior to Joyce, she was still anxious. Joyce had once been the dream girl of men nationwide, so Tiffany feared she couldn't outshine her!
"Mom! Mom!" Debra rushed in and was stunned to see Tiffany in such a state.
"What is it?" Tiffany snapped.
"I just called Grandpa again to confirm, but he still said he won't attend your birthday party tonight."
"What's so surprising about that? I never expected him to show up from the beginning!" Tiffany sneered, showing no attempt to hide her disdain for Byron in front of Debra.
"But Grandpa also asked me to tell you," Debra nervously continued, "He and Edward will both be attending the Taylor family's party."
"What?" Tiffany was furious, her eyes blazing!
"He said he received a video call from Mr. Taylor and Evelyn last night, and they had a great conversation. So he decided to catch up with Mr. Taylor."
"Damn it!" Tiffany was so angry that she swept everything off her dressing table!
"Mom! What are we going to do? Edward and Grandpa are going to the Taylor family's party, leaving you alone. Isn't this a deliberate insult? If others find out, where will you put your face?" Debra, already resentful because Tiffany supported Molly and Eric being together, took this opportunity to vent all her frustrations, "They never acknowledged your status. They think attending your birthday party is embarrassing!"
"Stop it!" Tiffany was so angry that her heart hurt, and her blood pressure soared.
"Mom! What should we do now?" Debra looked anxious on the surface but was secretly gloating.
"Forget it! Byron is just trying to spite me. If I let this ruin my birthday, then I've fallen into his trap," Tiffany sat down on the sofa with a gloomy face and started doing Pilates, "Byron is retired now, and he only has your dad as a son. Everything he has will belong to my husband. I don't care about him; he can't outlive me anyway."
At six o'clock in the evening.
A row of black luxury cars lined up neatly outside the villa. Patrick and Tiffany, along with Debra and Molly, got into a stretch Lincoln. Escorted by security cars, they headed grandly to the Wellington family's hotel.
In the car, Patrick looked out the window with a blank expression. His attitude towards Tiffany seemed normal, given it was her birthday, but there was a noticeable coolness; he wasn't as passionate as before.
Debra and Molly sat opposite Patrick and Tiffany. Molly, still hunched and withdrawn, clutched the teddy bear Evelyn had given her for some comfort.
Debra, dressed in an expensive designer outfit, made Molly look like a modest maid beside her.
"Molly, today is Mom's big day. Why didn't you dress up for the occasion?" Debra wore a fake smile, gently stroking Molly's hair, pretending to be affectionate in front of Patrick, "Don't you know how to dress up? Why didn't you tell me? I could help you."
Molly sat stiffly, her lips tightly pressed.
"The hairstyle I gave you before looked so good. You should have told me, and I would have done it again today," Debra's eyes gleamed with malice.
Molly raised her hand and knocked Debra's hand away!
Patrick and Tiffany were both stunned; they had never seen Molly lose her temper before.
"Molly! That hurt! What are you doing?" Debra pretended to be hurt, acting like the victim.
"I never wanted you to dress me up. You always forced me," Molly clutched the teddy bear, her eyes red, and somehow found the courage to speak up against her!
Patrick looked at Debra with a puzzled expression.
"What did you say?" Debra was shocked, her eyes wide.
"And I hate that hairstyle, hate it so much. Please don't force me to get it again, okay?" Molly gritted her teeth, each word filled with resentment towards Debra.
"Debra, what exactly is Molly talking about?" Patrick asked sternly.
"Dad! Molly isn't an ordinary girl; she often starts babbling nonsense out of nowhere. You know that, right? I'm just as confused and hurt by her sudden outburst!" Debra's voice was sweet and innocent, pretending to be clueless.
"Patrick, is it true that Edward is going to the Taylor family's party tonight? Is he really not coming?" Tiffany changed the subject, linking her arm with Patrick's.
"I don't know," Patrick frowned deeply.
"I don't mean anything by it, just thinking about the bigger picture. I still think he should come," Tiffany put on a righteous facade, speaking softly, "If it were Donna's birthday, it would be fine for Edward to go. After all, Mrs. Donna Taylor is the daughter of the Mays family, and maintaining a good relationship with them benefits us and looks respectable.
"But going to celebrate Joyce's birthday, what is that about? Not to mention Joyce is just a commoner who had a scandalous reputation in the entertainment industry. If Edward goes to celebrate her birthday, the media will have a field day," Tiffany's eyes darkened, continuing, "Moreover, Joyce is the least significant woman around Mr. Taylor. With such an unclear status, does she deserve the president of the Wellington Group to go and show goodwill? It's too degrading."
For some reason, Patrick felt extremely uncomfortable, stirring memories of Edward's mother, Amanda. He said, "Joyce used to have no backing. But now her backing is Charlie, and things have changed."
Tiffany was stunned and cautiously asked, "Patrick, did I say something wrong?"
"I heard that not only Edward is going, but my dad is also going to meet Charlie," Patrick looked ahead, his tone flat, "Joyce isn't the only main character tonight. Did you forget about Charlie? Let them go if they want to. I'm tired and really not in the mood to deal with these social intricacies."
What was going on? Why had his attitude changed?
Tiffany felt a lump in her throat and could only force a laugh to agree.
At this moment, Molly found a comfortable position and started nodding off.
After all, during the days she spent with Eric, he clung to her every night, either kissing or hugging her, leaving her no chance to sleep well.
Debra, sitting beside her, was trembling with anger, her lips twitching, wishing she could skin Molly alive and tear her apart piece by piece!
Tiffany's birthday party was held low-key, but she still informed the media. She believed she was born for the spotlight; how could she go unnoticed?
Reporters who got the news were waiting around the hotel.
Seeing the Wellington family heading towards the banquet hall surrounded by bodyguards, Tiffany looked every bit the glamorous and haughty socialite.
"Mrs. Wellington!"
"Mrs. Wellington!"
Reporters swarmed over, taking numerous photos of the Wellington family.
Patrick was displeased but remained composed, facing the media with Tiffany.
"Patrick, it's your wife's birthday party tonight, and the whole family is here. Why isn't Edward here?" A reporter asked.
"Edward has something to do," Patrick smiled faintly, brushing off the question.
"Today is also the birthday of Joyce, the wife of KnightSpear Group's chairman, Charlie. Mrs. Wellington, your birthday should be on Wednesday, but you moved it to Sunday. Was it intentional to coincide with Joyce's birthday? You two were rivals back in the day. After all these years, haven't you reconciled?"
"Oh, I didn't know today was Joyce's birthday too. You didn't tell me," Tiffany feigned surprise, covering her mouth with her hand adorned with a large diamond ring, "That was my oversight. I should wish her a happy birthday. I chose today because family and guests are busy on Wednesday and couldn't make it."
She continued with a barely concealed smug smile, "After all, we invited quite a few guests this time. I wanted to accommodate everyone's schedule so they could join us."
"Guests? Did you invite that many guests?" The reporters looked at each other, "We've been waiting here for two hours and haven't seen anyone arrive."
Tiffany was suddenly alarmed. How could that be?
She had invited over a hundred guests half a month in advance, and most had accepted the invitations, promising to come!
How could no one be here?
Tiffany forced a smile, her nerves on edge, her heart pounding.
"Alright, let's go inside," Patrick urged in a low voice.
The group walked to the banquet hall entrance, and the attendant opened the heavy doors.
In the next moment, Patrick and Tiffany's composed smiles froze on their faces.
Especially Tiffany, whose face turned pale, biting her lower lip, almost shouting out in frustration!
The grand and luxurious banquet hall was nearly empty!
The guests she had imagined were nowhere to be seen!
Where were they?
Where had they all gone?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
