Unlike the Ashworth Residence, which blended traditional and European architectural styles, the Winters family's villa was a picture of opulence. Resplendent and magnificent, the entire estate exuded an air of pure luxury.
At this moment, a collection of luxury cars was gathered before the Winters' villa, creating a lively scene. Inside the banquet hall, the early arrivals had already sorted themselves into their respective cliques. Where there was a crowd, gossip and idle chatter were inevitable. For people like them, the most important thing was their own self-interest.
"Mr. Winters is hosting a birthday banquet, so the Ashworths are definitely on the guest list. We're in for a good show later."
"Yeah, the Ashworths have always had the upper hand over the Winters family. The relationship between the two has always been tense."
"What can you do? Every single Ashworth is a titan in their own right. Plus, the Reginald-Ashworth-Sinclair families are all connected by marriage. They've always been tight, thick as blood. They're a united front."
"Alright, that's enough. The Reginalds and the Blaines are here." All eyes turned toward Mr. Reginald and Mr. Blaine, who had just walked in. The family members following behind them were chatting cheerfully.
"Strange, why haven't the Ashworths shown up yet?" The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves. The Reginald-Ashworth-Sinclair families always arrived together. Why were the Ashworths so late today? Could they be trying to put the Winters family in their place? Minds started racing as everyone considered which side to take to best protect their own interests.
"Haha, Patriarch Reginald, Patriarch Blaine, please forgive my poor hospitality." A man in his seventies, about five feet seven inches tall, strode into the banquet hall. He had an ordinary face and appeared amicable, but the pair of inverted-triangular sanpaku eyes on his face utterly destroyed that friendly impression.
The man was Mr. Winters, Cecil Winters.
"Not at all, Patriarch Winters. You jest," Sheldon Reginald replied casually, exchanging pleasantries.
"Elder Reginald, Elder Blaine, your grandchildren are becoming more and more impressive. For them to have such high cultivation at such a young age… it truly makes me envious," Cecil Winters said. The thought that his own son's generation couldn't compare to their peers from the Reginald-Ashworth-Sinclair families—and now, even the grandchildren were falling behind—infuriated and vexed him.
"Mm, Elder Winters's grandchildren are not bad either," Mr. Blaine said, his reply noncommittal as he deflected the topic.
"Grandfather." Several of the younger generation of the Winters family walked up to Mr. Winters.
"These are my grandsons and granddaughter. Elder Reginald and Mr. Ashworth should have met them before," Mr. Winters said, gesturing to the young ones. "Go on, greet Elder Reginald and Elder Blaine."
The younger Winters members greeted the two elders, and Cecil Winters waved his hand. "Go on, you children will have more to talk about with each other."
"Yes, Grandfather. We'll be going then." The youths obediently replied and headed toward the table where the younger members of the Reginald and Blaine families were sitting.
"Morgan, you're here! If I had known, I would have come out sooner," Kiera Winters said sweetly as she walked up to Morgan.
"Sorry, we're not close." Morgan had already heard about the incident at the mall from Cecilia Ashworth. It would be a cold day in hell before he showed Kiera Winters a pleasant face.
"Morgan, you—" Kiera Winters choked on Morgan's icy words, her eyes immediately turning red as she put on a pitiful act.
"Elara, stop making a scene. Today is Grandfather's birthday banquet," Quinn Winters said in a gentle tone, but the undeniable command within it was clear to everyone. Despite his refined and courteous appearance, Quinn was actually the most ruthless and intelligent among the Winters family's grandchildren.
Although Kiera Winters was usually spoiled at home, she was still afraid of her own brother. At his words, she immediately reined herself in and stood quietly by Quinn's side. However, her gaze still drifted toward Morgan from time to time.
"By the way, I heard from Cecilia that Seraphina is coming today, right?" the young miss of the Reginald family, Aurora Reginald, asked, turning to Jasmine Blaine.
"Mhm, she should be here any minute." Jasmine Blaine blinked her lively eyes and looked toward the entrance, watching to see if Seraphina Ashworth and her family had arrived.
The group wasn't speaking quietly, and their words were like a thunderclap that sent shockwaves through the hearts of everyone present.
"The fifth miss of the Ashworth family… she's the most mysterious person in the family. The fifth miss, who vanished without a trace for years, is actually going to appear here in a few minutes? Why is that?"
Before anyone could figure it out, the Ashworth party had arrived. Mr. Ashworth walked in from the entrance, followed by Zachary Ashworth, Maurice Ashworth, and the others.
"Mr. Ashworth, forgive me for not welcoming you at the door." Cecil Winters smiled and went forward to greet him.
"Not at all, Elder Winters. Today is your birthday, after all." Warren Ashworth walked over to Mr. Reginald and Mr. Blaine, exchanging formal pleasantries with Cecil Winters.
"Hello, Mr. Reginald. Hello, Mr. Blaine." Maurice Ashworth and the other young Ashworths greeted the two patriarchs affectionately before turning to offer a brief congratulation to Cecil Winters. "Patriarch Winters, happy birthday."
Anyone with eyes could see who was close and who was distant. As expected, the Reginald-Ashworth-Sinclair families were the only ones who were truly family to each other. Trying to drive a wedge between these three giants would be as difficult as ascending to Heaven.
"Jasper, why isn't Seraphina here yet?" Mr. Blaine asked, looking up at his grandson.
"Seraphina is in the car with my parents. They should be arriving soon. Grandfather, I'm going to go find Chase and the others." Jasper Ashworth had spotted Chase Blaine and his group at a table and was about to go join them.
"Mm, go ahead."
"You're here! Cecilia, where's Seraphina? Why didn't she come with you guys?" Aurora Reginald asked, a bit confused. She saw that Maurice Ashworth and the others had arrived, but Seraphina was missing, even though she had told them she would be coming today.
"Don't worry, Miss Aurora. Seraphina keeps her word. She should be here in a few minutes. She's in the car with my third aunt and uncle," Cecilia Ashworth said in a clear, bright voice as she sat down next to Aurora Reginald and linked her arm with hers.
Overhearing Cecilia Ashworth and the others mention the name "Seraphina," Kiera Winters thought to herself, 'Seraphina… Could that be the person who humiliated me at the mall the other day? If she dares to show up today, I'll make her pay.'
A flash of jealousy and resentment crossed her downcast eyes, and her hand tightened around her glass.
The banquet was about to begin, and most of the guests had returned to their seats.
Just then, Paul Ashworth's family of three arrived. Paul was dressed in a black, hand-tailored suit that made him look even more imposing. His gaze was steady and unwavering, and an innate chill emanated from him that made people want to keep their distance. But when his eyes fell upon Sylvia Blaine and their daughter, the tenderness in them was so profound one could drown in it. Sylvia, for her part, had her hair swept up, with just a few wisps left trailing down. She wore a graceful white and blue cheongsam, her posture elegant and charming. Standing together, they looked so perfect that everyone couldn't help but marvel that they were a match made in heaven.
Back then, their love story and wedding had caused a sensation throughout Aethelburg, breaking the hearts of countless men and women.
"So that's the legendary fifth miss of the Ashworth family, Seraphina Ashworth. She doesn't look like the sickly weakling from the rumors."
"Exactly. With that peerless face and that noble, otherworldly aura, how could she be?"
"Besides, did you see the doting looks from Paul Ashworth and his wife? How could she possibly be out of favor? There's definitely an inside story here."
The crowd below was stunned by the sight of Seraphina Ashworth and began to whisper amongst themselves.