The birthday party was held at the top floor of the Splendor Grand Hotel. After Naomi Sinclair passed away, Aidan Sinclair closed it off to public rental. Choosing this location for the event showed how much the third uncle valued this party.
The only surprising thing was the guest list, which included almost all the business elites in Ariston as well as top perforrs from Morningstar. It seed more like a party for Aidan Sinclair than an ecological party for Vivian.
In fact, the guest list was indeed drafted by Aidan Sinclair, and his purpose was not so simple.
On the day, Ruby Sullivan wore a white dress that resembled a shirt with an asymtrical hemline, subtly revealing a blue and white striped lining. It was from tamorphosis’s latest ready-to-wear collection this season. Although it appeared ordinary, it exuded elegance on Ruby Sullivan, even elevating the dress’s quality.
Sasha Shaw said it was designed with her as the model, though not the main item. Perhaps wearing it on such an occasion could boost sales, and Ruby Sullivan was more than happy to be a walking advertisent.
Because Ethan Sterling had an important international video conference and would be late, Ruby Sullivan and Sasha Shaw took the two little ones to the hotel.
By the ti they arrived, the peak arrival of guests had already passed. In the hall, small groups were forming and chatting.
Honey imdiately spotted Vivian and the third uncle in the crowd and dragged her brother over.
Ruby Sullivan was about to follow when she recognized the girl facing Vivian and stopped.
It was Hannah Jennings.
Sasha Shaw followed her gaze, speaking with disapproval, "Why would Vivian invite that woman?" They seed to be chatting so intimately; could it be that she didn’t know about the relationship between Hannah Jennings and Ethan Sterling?
Ruby Sullivan smiled, telling herself not to take it to heart, "Byron Jennings is a snack tycoon, and Stella Jennings has had a strained relationship with her family since signing with Aidan Sinclair’s company. She likely wants to take this opportunity to ease things up. Let’s wait before going over."
She was just about to turn around to find sothing else to do when she saw Honey pointing her way, and her eyes t Vivian’s, leading to an awkward smile.
Sasha Shaw took her arm, "Co on, you’re the official hostess; what are you afraid of?"
Ruby Sullivan sighed inwardly; she certainly had nothing to fear. She just didn’t want to engage in any "palace intrigue."
"Wenny!" Vivian ca over cheerfully, embracing her and giving cheek kisses, "Why have you lost weight again? Is work too tiring?"
"Not really, I felt like I was gaining so weight around the waist lately, so I controlled it a bit." Ruby Sullivan casually lied. She didn’t feel thinner, nor did she feel fatter, but Vivian’s exaggerated tone left her baffled.
She was definitely not the type of mother-in-law to be concerned about such things, and her smile today seed too fake.
Ruby Sullivan looked on, puzzled and confused.
"But you shouldn’t lose any more, or Ethan will be heartbroken." Vivian half-joked, half-seriously said, even winking at Ruby Sullivan.
The exaggerated expression almost made Ruby Sullivan burst into laughter, and she wanted to check if Vivian was running a fever.
She didn’t catch Vivian’s point and dumbly responded to her gaze, dumbly acknowledging the doctor’s advice.
Then, Vivian pulled her over to introduce her to Hannah Jennings, "This is Hannah Jennings, a friend of Ethan and Aidan, daughter of snack tycoon Byron Jennings. You’re about the sa age, so get to know each other and have a good chat." She introduced with squinting eyes and a smile.
Hannah Jennings had a twitch at the corner of her mouth, replying with a mocking smile, "Vivian, don’t tease . Wenny is a good seven or eight years older than , practically a senior. I wouldn’t dare call us the sa age."
Honey looked up, naively saying, "So this auntie is that much younger than Mommy!"
Vivian laughed too, "Yes, I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t said it. I was about to ask Wenny who’s older."
Ruby Sullivan lowered her head, trying to suppress the urge to laugh. Even Seth Sterling, not usually interested in gossip, tilted his head with a barely contained smile.
Hannah Jennings laughed along awkwardly with Vivian, feeling more irritated, "Maybe today’s makeup didn’t work out." She initially intended to poke at Ruby Sullivan’s age, but now she beca the subject of ridicule.
Upon hearing this, Sasha Shaw quickly corrected her, "Miss Jennings, you’re too modest. I absolutely adore your peach blossom makeup. Many beauty bloggers recomnd it for its youthful look, and your eye makeup is particularly stunning."
"Is that so?" Hannah Jennings couldn’t vent her anger in front of Vivian and had to swallow her frustration, wearing a fake smile. Feeling uneasy, she noticed an item in her hand and quickly took it up, "Almost forgot your birthday gift. Not sure what to give, so I asked Ethan for advice and picked a diamond bracelet for you. Hope you like it."
Though her words were without issue, the casual ntion of "Ethan" ca off as deliberate.
Vivian laughed as she accepted and opened the box, finding it indeed impressive. The jewelry was clearly designed by a renowned artist, with each diamond ticulously cut, and the platinum decorations between the diamonds were exquisite. It must have cost no less than a million or two.
To give such an expensive gift showed how much Hannah Jennings valued the invitation.
In the wake of the ruckus over Ruby Sullivan’s affair, the usually low-key third uncle threw a high-profile birthday party for his beloved wife, inviting almost every notable person in Ariston, especially those with single daughters, inevitably sparking speculation.
Thus, Hannah Jennings decided to seize this opportunity imdiately.
"I really love it, thank you." Vivian was unapologetically delighted.
Hannah Jennings’s mood lightened considerably, "Let help you put it on."
"Alright." Vivian extended her wrist.
She always paid great attention to maintenance, not only was the skin on her face tender and smooth, but her wrist also showed no signs of aging. Without saying it, one might think it belonged to a young girl; wearing the bracelet made her wrist even more slender and graceful.
"Looks like Ethan knows you well, knowing what suits you best." Hannah Jennings admired the bracelet, as if she were with Ethan when buying it. She then shifted the topic to Ruby Sullivan, "Wenny, the gift you’re holding is for Vivian, right?"
"Yes." Ruby Sullivan then took out the blue cloth bag from her hand, "It’s a bracelet; I hope you like it."
Vivian smiled, "I love everything you give ." As she poured out a star-moon bodhi bracelet from the cloth bag, it looked decent, but compared to the diamond bracelet from Hannah Jennings, it seed quite casual.
Their conversation and laughter had already caught the attention of many eyes, and now several pairs of eyes couldn’t help but glance over.
After all, Hannah Jennings was the only recognized girlfriend of Ethan Sterling, and her appearance in this setting suggested more than a simple appearance.
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