?Chapter 1679:


    The manager didn’t press her any further. He had already done his best to persuade her and chose to respect her decision. Once the payment was settled, the party was booked for Saturday night—just two days away.


    When the managerter presented the invitation options, Sandra didn’t hesitate to indulge a little. She chose thevish gold-foil designs, the kind that shimmered under the light.


    After that, she began sending out the invitations. Since she wasn’t particrly close with most of the guests, she had the family’s staff handle the deliveries, creating the impression that the Harper family was hosting an extravagant social affair. With a name like theirs, people would attend out of respect.


    She even went as far as to video-call the elites who had added her on social media during her wee banquet, inviting them herself.


    When Saturday finally came, Sandra arrived early at the Pearl Grand Restaurant. One nce at the venue eased her worries. The arrangements looked stunning. The tables were loaded with fine dishes. The staff moved with practiced precision, and the bar gleamed with a rich selection of drinks.


    “Pretty good,” Sandra murmured with satisfaction, pleased with her choices.


    She walked through the hall, adjusting a few details here and there to make sure everything matched her expectations. She thought it matched the grandeur of her wee banquet and felt relieved she hadn’t given in to the manager’s persuasion to pay for more.


    As evening approached, Sandra waited at the entrance of the grand hall, expecting the steady arrival of guests by six. But no one came.


    Thirty minutes slipped by.


    Only Brenna came, dressed in yellow, and Ethan wasn’t with her. She was carrying a gift.


    She hadn’t nned toe, but Shepard had called her, asking her to show up for appearances.


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    Sandra’s stomach dropped. The first person through the door was a Harper, someone she didn’t like and hadn’t even invited. Instead of happiness, shame washed over Sandra. The Harper family would no doubt mock her secretly after seeing this.


    “Happy birthday to you,” Brenna said to Sandra politely as she handed her gift to one of the attendants. Her eyes swept over the vast ballroom, taking in the empty tables and untouched buffet. Not another guest had arrived.


    The sight surprised her. Even though Sandra wasn’t well-liked, she had expected at least a few social climbers to show up for the Harper family’s sake.


    Yet here she was—the only guest.


    It was painfully awkward. Sandra’s face looked pale, her eyes glossy, as though she was holding back tears.


    “Go on in,” Sandra murmured, her voice tight with embarrassment.


    Brenna gave a small nod and walked inside, settling into a quiet corner before pulling out her phone.


    “Dad, I’m the only guest here. No one else has shown up yet.”


    Shepard’s brows furrowed as he drove home. “Not even one guest?”


    “No. You need to do something fast. She looks like she’s about to fall apart. I don’t know how many invitations she sent, but no one showed up. It’s humiliating.”


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