The guests were stunned for a moment, then began offering their congratulations one after another.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Xavier, on gaining such a well-behaved goddaughter."

"Indeed. You can tell Miss Sutton is a well-read and sensible person just by looking at her."

"I hear Miss Sutton works at the same international airline as Mr. Xavier, and that she’s an outstanding flight attendant."

The chorus of well-wishes was incessant, and the smile on Helen Sawyer’s face grew wider.

Seraphina Sutton kept her head slightly bowed, but she couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from curving upward.

’I’ve finally stepped through the Xavier family’s door. Even if it’s only as a goddaughter, it’s enough.’

Wren Wynter stood not far away, gazing at the scene with a calm, placid expression.

She turned, left the crowd, and walked toward Old Madam Xavier’s private lounge.

The lounge was quiet. Old Madam Xavier was resting on a soft couch with her eyes closed.

"Grandma," Wren called softly.

Old Madam Xavier opened her eyes. Seeing Wren, a kind smile spread across her face.

"Wren, you’re here."

"Grandma, I brought you a birthday gift." Wren took a wooden box from her handbag.

Old Madam Xavier took the box and opened it. Inside was a string of agarwood Buddha Beads. Each bead was lustrous and smooth, emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance.

"I got these Buddha Beads from Serenity Church on Mount Noria. I had the abbot bless them," Wren said quietly. "I remember you’re a Buddhist, Grandma. Wearing them will keep you safe and bring you peace."

’I just hope Grandma can live a long and healthy life. Longer, and even longer still.’

Old Madam Xavier’s eyes grew a little misty. "Good child, this is so thoughtful of you."

She took Wren’s hand and carefully caressed the string of Buddha Beads. "Grandma loves this gift. I really, really love it."

Wren smiled. "I’m glad you like it, Grandma."

Old Madam Xavier put the beads on her wrist and patted the back of Wren’s hand. "Wren, dear, let me ask you something. When are you and Kaden... planning to have children?"

Wren hadn’t expected Grandma to suddenly ask this. Her expression froze for a moment. "Grandma, that... we’ll just let nature take its course."

Old Madam Xavier didn’t press the issue. "I’m getting old. I don’t know if I’ll live to see you and Kaden’s child."

A wave of bitterness washed over Wren.

’Kaden and I are about to get a divorce, how could we possibly have a child?’ But she couldn’t say that out loud.

"Grandma, don’t say such things. You’ll definitely live to be a hundred," Wren said, lowering her gaze and subtly changing the subject. "Let me give you a shoulder rub."

Old Madam Xavier was about to say more, but the door to the lounge was pushed open.

Helen Sawyer walked in with Seraphina Sutton.

"Mom, let me introduce you. This is Seraphina, my new goddaughter. Her husband is Asher Lynch, the young man who saved Kaden before."

’Goddaughter?’

Old Madam Xavier didn’t quite process it at first and turned her head to look at Wren.

Wren nodded.

Helen Sawyer pulled Seraphina Sutton in front of Old Madam Xavier.

Seraphina curtsied obediently. "Grandma Xavier, I wish you blessings as boundless as the sea and a long, healthy life."

Old Madam Xavier glanced at her, her expression indifferent. "Mm, that’s thoughtful of you."

Seraphina took a gift box from her bag. "Grandma Xavier, this is a birthday gift I prepared for you. I hope you like it."

She opened the gift box. Inside was a Mutton Fat Jade pendant. The jade was lustrous, and the carving was exquisite. It was clearly very valuable.

Old Madam Xavier glanced at it but didn’t accept it.

"Keep something so valuable for yourself. An old woman like me has no use for such things."

"Grandma Xavier, it’s just a small token of my appreciation..."

"I accept your kind thoughts, but take the gift back." Although Old Madam Xavier’s tone was gentle, it carried an unquestionable authority.

Seraphina stood there awkwardly, her hands, which were holding the gift box, trembling slightly.

Helen Sawyer quickly tried to smooth things over. "Mom, Seraphina is just showing her filial piety. Please, just accept it."

"I said I don’t want it." Old Madam Xavier was firm and merciless. "Helen, I know you like this girl. Why don’t you take her for a walk outside? I have something to discuss with Wren."

Helen Sawyer didn’t dare to disobey. She shot Wren a displeased glare before leading Seraphina out.

’I don’t know what kind of tricks Wren used to make the old lady like her so much and be so protective of her.’

’She even managed to turn my son against me, and he still won’t divorce her.’

As soon as they left the lounge, Seraphina’s eyes reddened.

"Auntie, did I do something wrong? Does Grandma Xavier not like me?"

Her voice was frail and her posture delicate, making Helen Sawyer’s heart ache for her.

"Of course not, don’t overthink it. The old lady is just like that. She’s that way with everyone."

"But... but she accepted the gift from Dr. Wynter."

Seraphina bit her lower lip, naturally not wanting to miss this opportunity to sow discord.

"My jade pendant is much more valuable than Dr. Wynter’s Buddha Beads, so why..."

"There, there, don’t cry."

Helen Sawyer comforted her, patting her hand and patiently consoling her. "You can’t get too emotional. If the old lady won’t accept it, then so be it. You can keep it for yourself, or give it to someone else in the future."

Seraphina nodded, but the resentment and jealousy in her heart grew wildly like weeds.

’Why?’

’Why does Wren Wynter get to have Old Madam Xavier’s affection?’

’I gave her such a valuable jade pendant, yet Old Madam Xavier wouldn’t even spare it a glance.’

’Is it just because I’m not the Xavier family’s daughter-in-law?’

Helen Sawyer took Seraphina to the garden, hoping to cheer her up.

Back in the lounge.

Wren chatted with Old Madam Xavier for a while longer. Seeing that her grandmother was getting tired, she helped her lie down to rest.

"Grandma, you should get some sleep. I’ll come get you when it’s time to cut the cake."

"Alright."

Wren tiptoed out and closed the door behind her.

Just as she reached the hallway, she ran into Felix Vance.

Felix was holding a gift box; it seemed he was also here to deliver a gift.

His eyes lit up when he saw Wren.

"Dr. Wynter, what are you doing here? Are you also here to celebrate Old Madam Xavier’s birthday?"

Wren gave a faint smile. "Yes!"

Felix sized Wren up. He considered himself a man who had seen plenty of beautiful women in his time, and he had been stunned by her beauty when they first met.

But today, she had changed from her usual style of dress, dazzling him all over again.

Just now, the guests had all been talking about Mrs. Xavier taking a goddaughter. Combining that with Kaden Xavier’s usual attitude toward Wren, he automatically assumed Wren was the goddaughter.

’No wonder Cole is so strict and controlling with Dr. Wynter. Turns out she’s his sister!’

’Cole, you’ve been holding out on me!’

"Dr. Wynter, I’m going to see Old Madam Xavier now. I’ll see you later!"

"Okay."

Felix walked briskly into the villa with his gift.

Wren turned back around, only to be met by a pair of gloomy eyes filled with jealousy. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Kaden Xavier strode forward and demanded, "What were you two talking about?"

"Nothing."

Kaden grabbed Wren’s hand, his dark, profound eyes staring at her coldly. "You were smiling and laughing, and you say it was nothing? Didn’t you see the way he was looking at you just now?"

"Kaden Xavier, what is wrong with you now?"

The moment the words left her mouth, both of them froze.

Familiar words, a familiar pair, but this time, they were spoken by a different person.