"Since they’re already here, just let them in."
It was Adrian Sutton who spoke.
’If we don’t let them in, how can we put them in their place?’
’How else will they see Claire’s standing with the Rowan Family?’
After saying this, he quickly turned to Claire rcer for her opinion.
"Miss rcer, what do you think?"
Claire rcer knew Adrian Sutton had his reasons, so she said,
"Let Mr. Rowan decide." Claire rcer said. "It doesn’t matter to ."
Silas Rowan had already shown her more than enough respect.
After all, they were also guests invited by the Rowan Family.
If they weren’t allowed in because of her, rumors would spread that she was throwing her weight around.
Besides, it was no skin off her nose if they went in.
And so, Silas Rowan relented.
He let their earlier, outrageous behavior slide.
The three of them walked ahead, exchanging a few words from ti to ti.
The others nervously trailed behind the trio, hurrying into the ballroom.
Although they’d managed to get into the ballroom,
Rose Gable and the others were left with a sour taste in their mouths.
It felt as if they were only allowed into the ballroom out of Claire rcer’s pity.
’What if Claire rcer had blocked them? Would they have lost this golden opportunity?’
’What a ridiculous situation!’
’She was the grand madam of the wealthiest family...’
’And she actually had to rely on her own daughter-in-law to get into Mrs. Rowan’s birthday party...’
’If word of this got out, how could she ever show her face again?’
In the corridor leading to the ballroom, Cynthia Sinclair couldn’t resist asking Rose Gable.
"Mom, how on earth did that little bitch Claire rcer latch onto Mrs. Rowan?"
Rose Gable said, "How should I know?"
"She’s been your brother’s nanny for the past two years. Where would she get the chance to et Mrs. Rowan?"
Cynthia Sinclair asked, "You think maybe Rowan was lying to us?"
Rose Gable considered it. ’Unlikely.’
’He’d lie to us just so Claire rcer could attend his mother’s party?’
’It doesn’t make any sense.’
’He wouldn’t have any reason to, would he?’
"But the invitation Rowan gave to Claire rcer was different from ours,"
Cynthia Sinclair said sourly.
"Mom, you don’t think Rowan has his eye on Claire rcer, do you?"
"Impossible," Rose Gable retorted instantly.
"What kind of status does Young Master Rowan have?"
"And who is Claire rcer?"
"Besides, Claire rcer is still our Sinclair Family’s daughter-in-law—a married woman."
"How could soone like Young Master Rowan, from a family with such strict principles, covet another man’s wife?"
"Besides, even if she got a divorce, soone like Claire rcer would never catch Young Master Rowan’s eye."
"Who’d want damaged goods like her?"
Cynthia Sinclair thought for a mont. Her mother had a point. "True."
The group soon arrived in the ballroom.
The ballroom’s decor seed understated at first glance.
But in reality, every detail exuded elegance and thoughtful preparation.
The ballroom was already buzzing with high-profile guests, who mingled and chatted throughout the vast space.
So of them were from powerful families local to Rhonia.
But most were from Mrs. Rowan’s family in Caspian.
They all belonged to the most powerful and influential families in their respective regions.
The male guests exchanged pleasantries with each other.
anwhile, many of the female guests were crowded around Mrs. Rowan.
Mrs. Rowan’s na was Jean Sutton, and today she turned fifty.
Yet at a glance, you could say she was in her late thirties and no one would doubt it.
They were quite envious of Mrs. Rowan’s complexion and youthful energy.
They hoped to use topics like skincare as an excuse to exchange a few words with Mrs. Rowan and make an impression.
However, Mrs. Rowan was already flanked by two high-society ladies who seed to be very close with her.
"I wasn’t originally planning to celebrate my birthday."
"It was that rascal of mine who insisted, going on about so old tradition for milestone birthdays."
"And since I’m turning fifty this year, that rascal of mine insisted on a ’simple’ celebration."
"Silas is so thoughtful," Mrs. Rowan’s childhood best friend said with a smile.
"Not like my boy. He almost forgot my birthday."
"Oh, don’t say that," Mrs. Rowan said with a laugh.
Mrs. Rowan said, "Owen is completely devoted to the army. He’s serving the country. That’s sothing to be proud of."
Speaking of her son, Mrs. Rowan’s best friend, Mrs. Churchill, was actually quite proud.
But then she thought about how her son was in the army year-round and rarely ca ho, and she couldn’t help but feel a little wistful.
Even more saddening was the fact that she didn’t know when her son would get married, or when she’d get to hold a precious grandson.
"I’m proud, of course, but he’s almost thirty and doesn’t even have a girl in his life. It makes sick with worry."
At this, the smile on Mrs. Rowan’s face gave way to a look of resignation.
"You say that as if my Silas has a girl in his life."
"Every ti I bring it up, he just makes excuses. I’m getting very anxious, too."
The other best friend, Mrs. Hale, also put on a worried expression and began to sigh.
"Tell , how did the three of us get so unlucky? All we have are sons, not a single daughter among us."
"If just one of us had a daughter, we could have kept it in the family and wouldn’t have to worry about their marriages."
Mrs. Rowan couldn’t help but sigh. "Ugh... I get a headache just thinking about it."
The mont the topic turned to their sons’ marriages, the three friends looked utterly crestfallen.
"Mom, it’s your birthday. What’s there to be worried about?"
"You have the nerve to ask?" Mrs. Rowan shot him an irritated glare. "You’re almost thirty..."
Silas Rowan knew what his mother was about to say and imdiately changed the subject.
"The guests have nearly all arrived, and the party is about to start. Why don’t you ladies move to the main hall?"
"You two see? He’s like this every ti."
"I’m not even finished talking and he’s already desperate to change the subject."
Silas Rowan was still smiling. "Today is your birthday. I won’t steal your spotlight."
Mrs. Rowan sighed in resignation.
"Then you should learn a thing or two from Adrian."
"At least let know you’re capable of normal human passions."
’She was terrified the rumors were true—that her son didn’t like won, but n.’
’Honestly, if her son really did like n, she didn’t think she could ever accept it.’
After speaking, she glanced behind Silas Rowan but didn’t see Adrian Sutton.
"Oh, right, where’s Adrian? Why haven’t I seen him?"
"Heh." Silas Rowan’s smile was tinged with mockery.
"He doesn’t have ti for you. He’s in the main hall with the girl he’s had a secret crush on for ten years."
"He’s terrified she’ll get bullied again, so he’s sticking to her like glue."
"I finally understand what a simp looks like. He’s a textbook example."
At his words, Mrs. Rowan’s expression softened.
Her own son was a disappointnt, but thankfully, her nephew—whom she had doted on since he was a child—was finally making a move.
After waiting ten years, he was finally ready to act.
After finding out about the girl’s situation, her heart truly ached for her.
She could only lant how despicable both the rcer and Sinclair families were.
She was now eager to et that poor child.
"Quick, take to see her."
Silas Rowan quickly held up a hand. "Please, don’t scare her off."
"Adrian is still nursing a secret crush. He hasn’t even told the girl how he feels."
Hearing this, Mrs. Rowan couldn’t help but scoff. "How can he be so pathetic? Still playing the secret admirer?"
"If you like soone, just say it! Why be so timid about it?"
Silas Rowan explained, "I’ve told you about her situation. The timing isn’t right."
"Fine," Mrs. Rowan said reluctantly. "Then I’ll try my best to restrain myself later."
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