Chapter 1012 Bait and Switch?
No matter if it was the Koch family from Country Y or the Reed family from Country D, they all came.
Over the years, because of Patricia, they had always kept in touch, so they were very familiar with each other.
As soon as Charles and Hannah entered, they were about to go over, but others got there first and surrounded them, so they had to stand nearby and wait.
Carol and the other ladies were chatting while eating.
Maximilian held a wine glass, sipping the red wine inside.
The three sons of the Koch family stood together. Time had not aged them; instead, it had added a mature charm to their demeanor.
Even Jeremy, who was always jumpy and carefree, had become much more composed.
Maximilian sighed, "I can't believe Charles is getting engaged! Soon, Patricia might be holding a grandchild."
Riley looked at Charles, who was surrounded by people, and said, "Yeah! Time flies!"
In the blink of an eye, his son was almost twenty years old.
Maximilian asked, "Where's Shane? Is he doing well? He must be a hundred years old by now, right?"
Jeremy laughed. "Yes, he's 103! He's too old, so we didn't bring him this time to avoid the strain of travel."
Maximilian said, "I thought the drug Grace gave him would affect his health! But it seems it didn't have much impact. That's good."
Sebastian took a sip of red wine and said, "With Patricia's careful care, he's very healthy! Sometimes he even goes dancing with other seniors."
Maximilian couldn't help but smile. "Still going strong, that's great! Maybe he'll live to see Charles's son."
Jeremy laughed. "I hope he lives to see Charles's grandson."
Sebastian rolled his eyes and said, "Wouldn't that make him some kind of strange creature? By then, he might be put in a museum."
Jeremy fell silent.
Maximilian wanted to laugh but was afraid Jeremy would feel embarrassed, so he covered his mouth.
After all these years, Jeremy was still the same. He looked mature and steady on the outside, but his personality hadn't changed!
Charles, unable to break free from the crowd, leaned over to Hannah's ear and whispered, "The engagement ceremony will take a while. You haven't eaten anything since this morning, right? Go to the buffet area and get something to eat. I probably won't be able to get away for a bit. Stella is at the buffet. I'll come find you once I'm free."
Hannah breathed a sigh of relief.
Indeed, she was very uncomfortable being surrounded by everyone, feeling like she couldn't breathe.
Hearing Charles say this, she agreed without hesitation. "Okay! I'll wait for you at the buffet."
After speaking, she found a gap and slipped out.
She lifted her skirt and went to the buffet area, where there was a wide variety of delicious food.
Hannah instinctively looked for Stella.
After searching for a while, she couldn't find her.
Everyone seemed busy socializing, leaving her alone and bored.
She was really hungry and decided to get something to eat.
Some women saw Hannah alone at the buffet and exchanged glances, planning to approach her and strike up a conversation.
But before they could get close, Austin beat them to it.
Austin took a glass of red wine from the buffet table and handed it to Hannah. "Hannah, congratulations on your engagement!"
Hannah looked at the wine he handed over, hesitated for a moment, and then took it.
Austin clinked his glass lightly against Hannah's and took a sip first.
"Thank you!" Hannah thanked him and took a sip as well.
Austin said thoughtfully, "I didn't expect you to end up with Charles after all!"
Hannah smiled. "From the moment I realized I liked him, I knew he was the one for me, for life."
Austin lowered his eyes, hiding the fleeting coldness in them, and tightened his grip on the glass. After a moment, he regained his composure and said calmly, "I wish you a lifetime of love."
"Thank you!"
Hannah had never seen Austin as an enemy.
Although they almost got married, they parted on good terms and never had any substantial relationship, so meeting now wasn't awkward.
She gladly accepted Austin's blessing.
Austin said, "Take your time eating, and I'll be going now!"
After blessing Hannah, Austin didn't stay long and turned to leave.
Hannah didn't think much of it. Holding her wine, she selected a piece of tiramisu from the buffet, deciding to fill her stomach first.
Otherwise, if she got hungry during the engagement ceremony, it would be embarrassing.
Hannah had just taken a couple of bites of tiramisu when someone came over to chat.
Before she could respond, she suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom.
She smiled apologetically at the women, blushing. "Sorry, I need to go to the restroom."
The women eagerly pointed the way. "The restroom is at the end of the hallway, to the right. Do you need me to take you there?"
"Thank you! No need. I can go by myself!" Hannah didn't want to trouble them and left after thanking them.
As soon as she left, Austin sat down and handed the wine glass she had used to a waiter.
The waiters would promptly clear the used dishes and take them to the kitchen for cleaning and sanitizing.
Not long after Hannah left, Stella arrived at the banquet hall.
Randy, who was chatting with others, immediately noticed her and couldn't help but ask, "Where did you go? I couldn't find you anywhere."
Stella, red-faced with anger, said, "Damn it, a waiter told me someone was looking for me outside. I went out and couldn't find anyone. I wonder if I was tricked."
Randy said helplessly, "You grew up in Country D. Even if you know people, they would be in Country D! Why would anyone look for you here?"
Reminded by his words, Stella scratched her head in embarrassment. "I forgot. I thought I was in Country D!"
Then she remembered something, put her hands on her hips, and said angrily, "Wait a minute! Does that mean the waiter was really messing with me? Why? A prank?"
Randy's brow twitched, and he awkwardly tugged at his lips, scratching his nose with his right index finger.
Stella craned her neck and looked around the hall. "Where's Hannah? I don't see her."
Randy said, "She should be in the restroom!"
Although he was greeting guests, he kept an eye on Hannah's whereabouts.
They knew today would be busy, and everyone probably wouldn't have time.
Before coming, Charles had repeatedly asked them to keep an eye on Hannah, even if they were busy.
He saw Hannah leave the banquet hall earlier, so she was probably in the restroom.
"Okay! I'll go find her!" Stella nodded and left, lifting her skirt.
The women's restroom had four stalls.
Two of the stall doors were closed.
Stella didn't know which stall Hannah was in, so she asked through the door, "Hannah, are you in here?"
Hannah immediately responded, "I'm here! Just a moment. I'll be right out."
Stella replied, "No rush. I'll wait for you outside! Take your time."
After confirming Hannah was there, Stella went out and waited in the hallway.
A few minutes later, Hannah came out of the restroom, looking a bit flustered from hurrying.
Stella looked at her, slightly furrowing her brows, and measured her height with her hand over Hannah's head. "Why do you seem shorter?"
She remembered that in the dressing room earlier, Hannah was about the same height as her after putting on high heels. Now, Hannah seemed a bit shorter.
'Could it be an illusion? Or do I remember wrong?' Stella thought.
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