When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0844

“Ugh! Are you trying to curse me? What are you even thinking?” Winter rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Falling for Hansel? Am I that desperate?”

“No, of course not!” Zach grinned and glanced behind her. “Did you come alone?”

“Yes?”

“Did the Jefferson family send you as their representative?”

“Jeez, I’m not here on behalf of the Jeffersons today.”

Zach was puzzled. “Then who are you representing? Surely you’re not here representing the Graham family, right?

“Now that I think about it, it doesn’t sound so far–fetched. After all, you’re my girlfriend and the future daughter–in–law of the Graham family. Representing us suits you perfectly!

“Keep dreaming! I’m not here to represent anyone. I’m here on my own.”

“What do you mean?”

Winter waved her invitation in front of him. Hers was pink, unlike the bright red invitation everyone else had. “See this? This is a personal invitation.”

“You?” Zach looked surprised.

“What? Can’t I have one?”

Personal invitations were typically reserved for close relatives or special guests of the host, representing their significance and importance. How did Winter get one?

“Are you related to the Garrisons?” Zach asked.

That didn’t make sense. There was no word of any family ties between the Jeffersons and the Garrisons. Besides, the Jeffersons would receive the special invitation as a family, not just Winter alone.

Winter smiled slyly and said, “Take a guess, then!”

Zach was at a loss for words.

“Hans, over here!” Calvin waved in Hansel’s direction. Hansel saw him and walked over.

“I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Calvin said with a smirk.

Hansel looked indifferent. “I’m just here for the formalities. I’ll leave after the banquet starts.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Yeah, I have to head to Graneda tonight. The branch office there is facing an issue,”

“Is that so…” Calvin signaled to a walter, picked up a glass of red wine from the tray, and handed it to him. “Hans, try this. It’s pretty good.”

Hansel waved it off. “No thanks,”

Calvin was surprised and confused. What was wrong with everyone lately? Did they turn over a new leaf? Were they swearing off their vices? Why did he suddenly feel he got abandoned by everyone? novelbin

He cleared his throat and said, “Seeing the crowd today, it seems that everyone who could attend has made the effort to turn up. It’s clear that Mr. Garrison Senior had gone all out to make his birthday banquet a success.”

“Yeah,” Hansel replied calmly. “It’s also his way of showing how much the Garrisons value the daughter they recently found.”

Calvin suddenly recalled something. “Speaking of which, Sam’s mother is also a daughter of the Garrison family. So doesn’t that make this woman they’re introducing today his aunt?”

Hansel’s face remained expressionless.

At that moment, Calvin realized he had spoken out of turn. “Ahem, I was just saying. Hans, don’t take it to heart.”

The banquet hall was stuffy, and it was quite noisy. The mix of perfumes wafting from all directions made Hansel frown. “I’m going out for some air…”

Before he could say more, the lights in the hall dimmed. The birthday banquet had officially begun!

Aren took the stage first. He seemed full of energy and spoke with vigor. First, he made his opening remarks. Then, he quickly got to the main point. “Today, I’d like to take this opportunity to formally introduce my long–lost daughter.

“Many of you know that certain events years ago caused us to be separated for over 20 years. Now, she has returned and will officially be a part of this circle. I hope that everyone here will look out for her in the future. Min, come on up…”