"Hey! You haven’t even tried the food I made!"

Ho-ran Park pushed Joy Lynch out of the office and closed the door.

Quite a few people had pursued him at school and the hospital, but no one was as direct as Joy Lynch, making her hard to handle.

He pushed up his glasses, sighed softly, and pretended not to see his colleagues’ teasing glances. He hurried back to his desk as a suspicious blush crept up his ears.

—

After getting off work in the afternoon, Wren Wynter returned to the villa. A familiar pair of men’s leather shoes sat in the entryway.

Kaden Xavier had gotten home before her.

She walked into the bedroom and found an exquisite gift box on the bed. Opening it, she saw a custom-made gown. It was a long, champagne-colored dress, exquisitely crafted and elegant in style.

Kaden Xavier walked in.

Wren Wynter turned to look at him. "What’s this?"

"It’s Grandma’s birthday tonight. We have to go to the old family home." Kaden Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Did you forget?"

A flicker of guilt appeared in Wren Wynter’s eyes. She had, in fact, been so busy she’d forgotten.

Fortunately, she had bought a gift a long time ago.

"Grandma had someone send this dress over. She picked it out for you specially." Kaden Xavier looked at her. "Wren, even if we’re getting a divorce, we have to put on a good show for Grandma. She’s old and can’t handle any shocks."

Wren Wynter was silent for a moment. She truly didn’t want to make Grandma Xavier worry.

"I understand."

"You should get changed. I’ll wait for you downstairs."

After saying that, Kaden Xavier left.

Gazing at the gown, Wren Wynter sighed. After putting it on, she applied some light makeup.

The woman in the mirror was radiant and captivating, her figure perfectly curved.

When Wren Wynter came downstairs in the gown, Kaden Xavier was already waiting in the living room.

He was wearing a well-tailored, custom-made black suit that accentuated his tall, lean figure. It was just that his eyes were too cool, too impersonal.

Hearing footsteps, he turned, his gaze falling upon Wren Wynter.

The champagne-colored gown set off her snow-white skin. Its V-neck perfectly revealed her delicate collarbones. The waist was cinched perfectly, and the skirt swayed gently with her steps.

Her chestnut curls cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup was exquisite but not heavy. The overall effect was so radiant it was impossible to look away.

Kaden Xavier’s throat tightened, his voice coming out a bit husky. "Very beautiful."

Wren Wynter didn’t respond, simply picking up her handbag.

"Let’s go." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

One after the other, they walked out of the villa. The driver was already waiting outside.

After they got in the car, silence filled the cabin.

Wren Wynter turned her head to watch the passing streetscape, her fingers unconsciously toying with the chain of her handbag.

Kaden Xavier wanted to speak several times, but he swallowed his words each time.

When the car stopped at the gate of the Xavier family’s old home, the mansion was brightly lit, and the faint sounds of laughter and conversation could be heard from within.

Kaden Xavier got out first, then naturally extended a hand to help Wren Wynter.

Wren Wynter glanced at him, then gathered her skirt and got out of the car herself, avoiding his hand.

Kaden Xavier’s hand froze in mid-air. After a moment, he retracted it as if nothing had happened.

Walking into the old home, warm yellow light from the crystal chandeliers poured down. Guests in gorgeous formal wear chatted in small groups.

Wren Wynter immediately linked her arm with Kaden Xavier’s, the movement so practiced it was as if she had done it a thousand times.

Kaden Xavier felt the warmth of her arm. His heart trembled slightly, and the corners of his lips lifted in a faint smile.

Just as the two of them entered the main hall, Helen Sawyer came over to greet them.

"Kaden, you’re finally here."

Helen Sawyer was wearing a deep purple cheongsam today. Paired with her hairstyle and makeup, it was impossible to guess her age.

Although she was smiling, Wren Wynter knew that smile was for Kaden Xavier; when it fell upon her, it faded somewhat.

"Mom," Kaden Xavier said politely.

"Mom," Wren Wynter echoed.

Today was an important day. No matter how much they were like fire and water, they couldn’t lose their decorum. They had to at least keep up appearances.

Helen Sawyer looked Wren Wynter up and down, her gaze lingering on the gown for a few seconds.

"This dress... is it the one the old madam sent over?"

"Yes," Wren Wynter nodded.

"It fits well enough," Helen Sawyer said, then turned to Kaden Xavier. "The old madam is over there. Take Wren to say hello."

Just as she spoke, a gentle female voice interjected.

"Auntie, Kaden."

Seraphina Sutton was wearing a long, white lace dress. She walked to Helen Sawyer’s side and naturally looped her arm through Helen’s before looking at Kaden Xavier and Wren Wynter.

’What is she doing here?’

"Dr. Wynter, you look so beautiful today," Seraphina Sutton said with a smile, her eyes sweeping over Wren Wynter as she praised, "This gown suits you very well."

Wren Wynter looked at her, then at the hand looped through Helen Sawyer’s arm. She sneered internally and said flatly, "Thank you."

Kaden Xavier’s brows furrowed, his tone tinged with displeasure. "Seraphina, what are you doing here?"

"I brought her," Helen Sawyer cut in. "Seraphina was all alone and bored at home. Since it’s your grandmother’s birthday today, I brought her along to join the fun."

Seraphina Sutton added softly, "I also wanted to come wish Grandma Xavier a happy birthday. Asher deeply respected Grandma Xavier when he was alive."

At the mention of Asher Lynch, Kaden Xavier’s expression softened, and he said no more.

Wren Wynter, however, suddenly gave a small smile. "How thoughtful of you, Miss Sutton."

Her tone betrayed no emotion, but the smile on Seraphina Sutton’s face stiffened for a moment.

She subconsciously touched her stomach, then looked at Kaden Xavier.

Just as he was about to answer, Kaden Xavier was called away by other guests.

Wren Wynter was left alone.

Seraphina Sutton smiled and changed the subject, pulling on Helen Sawyer’s hand. "Auntie, let’s go have a look over there."

"Alright." Helen Sawyer didn’t even spare Wren Wynter a glance.

Wren Wynter didn’t mind, her gaze cold as she watched their receding backs.

To an outsider, those two probably looked more like mother and daughter-in-law.

’Still, for Seraphina Sutton to be able to change Helen Sawyer’s attitude toward her, she must have a few tricks up her sleeve.’

’After all, in all these years of marriage, nothing she did could ever make her mother-in-law like her.’

’In that respect, she was truly no match for Seraphina Sutton.’

If this had happened before, Wren Wynter would have fallen into self-doubt, but now she felt nothing at all, only irony.

’Kaden Xavier had said there was nothing between him and Seraphina Sutton.’

’But now, Seraphina Sutton was at Grandma’s birthday party, brought by Helen Sawyer herself.’

’What was this supposed to mean?’

Wren Wynter turned, wanting to leave.

But Kaden Xavier walked over. "Where are you going?"

"To get some fresh air," Wren Wynter said.

Kaden Xavier followed her gaze and also saw Seraphina Sutton, his brow creasing.

"I didn’t know Seraphina would be here."

"What difference does it make if she’s here or not?" Wren Wynter’s expression was utterly cold. With that, she walked toward the balcony.

Kaden Xavier wanted to follow her but was stopped by Helen Sawyer.

"Kaden, come here."

Kaden Xavier had no choice but to walk over.

"Mom, why did you bring her here?"

"Seraphina is a guest. What’s wrong with me bringing her?" Helen Sawyer said, displeased. "Today is your grandmother’s birthday. Seraphina is Asher’s widow, and Asher saved your life. It’s only right that she attend the birthday party."

’Seraphina Sutton is so much more pleasing to the eye than Wren Wynter.’

Kaden Xavier was speechless.

"Kaden, don’t blame Auntie. I asked to come myself. I wanted to wish Grandma Xavier a happy birthday and also represent Asher in showing our respects."

"Mm," Kaden Xavier responded, his expression unreadable.

When Wren Wynter returned to the main hall, a group of high-society ladies swarmed up to exchange pleasantries.

Meanwhile, Seraphina Sutton stuck close to Helen Sawyer’s side, acting obedient and sensible, winning the affection of many.

"Mrs. Xavier, and this is?"

"This is Seraphina Sutton, a friend of my son’s."

"Oh, I see."

Seraphina Sutton lowered her eyes, putting on a gentle, weak, and pitiful appearance.

She secretly glanced at Wren Wynter.

Wren Wynter was busy talking with guests, her every move as graceful as a noble lady’s. She didn’t look at her at all.

Seraphina Sutton bit her lip.

’What gives Wren Wynter the right to be so calm?’

’She should be angry. She should be jealous. She should lose her composure!’

Helen Sawyer held Seraphina Sutton’s hand and raised her voice so that the surrounding guests could hear.

"Everyone, on this auspicious day of the old madam’s birthday banquet, I have an announcement to make."

She pulled Seraphina Sutton forward slightly. "This child, Seraphina, and I share a special bond. From this day forward, she will be my goddaughter."