Just as Austin was about to hit the call button, Aaron came down the stairs and called out, "Mr. Austin, the girl''s already here."


    Surprised, Austin ended the call and turned to Aaron. "Is it my sister and her daughter?"


    Aaron looked a bit pale, though you wouldn''t notice unless you really paid attention. He nodded, "Miss Cunningham didn''te, just her daughter. Oh, and there''s a middle-aged man with her."


    Austin furrowed his brow slightly, a bit thrown off that his sister hadn''t shown up, but shrugged it off as unimportant. "Alright, got it. Let''s head upstairs."


    Aaron watched Austin as he started for the elevator. Gathering a bit of courage, he took a few steps forward and called, "Mr. Austin, I''m not feeling too well. I think I should head back."


    Austin paused, nced back at Aaron, noticing for the first time how unwell he looked, and waved him off. "Alright, Aaron. Take care of yourself."


    Relieved, Aaron nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Austin."


    Austin didn''t say anything more, just stepped into the elevator and went upstairs.


    As Aaron left the club, he let out a sigh. When he ran into the child again at the ballroom entrance, even just a quick nce sent a shiver down his spine.


    He didn''t have it in him to stick around.


    The third-floor ballroom was massive, packed with elite guests all dressed to the nines. The room was alive with vibrant lights and chatter.


    Mirabe stood out, though. In her dark coat, she was a stark contrast to the elegant dresses of the other young women. Her presence was maic, her striking features drawing every eye in the room.


    Kitty was in the middle of a chat with some societydies when she noticed Mirabe and couldn''t help but purse her lips at her mismatched outfit.


    "Who''s that girl? She''s quite pretty," one of thedies next to her asked.


    Kitty adjusted the silk scarf on her shoulders and lowered her voice, "Her? She''s my older sister''s daughter."


    Surprised, thedy raised an eyebrow, "Your older sister''s daughter? The one who was kicked out of the family back then?"


    Kitty sighed, "Yes, it was a family scandal, but my sister was young and headstrong. People make mistakes, right?"


    Thedy chuckled, "True enough." She nced over at Mirabe again and said, "We haven''t heard about Miss Mira Cunningham for years. What''s the story with her daughter showing up today?"


    Kitty cleared her throat, her expression softening, "Even though my sister made mistakes, she''s still family. What''s done is done. This girl is a Cunningham too, and by having her here, we''re officially introducing her to everyone."


    The others got the hint about the party''s significance.


    "You really do care about her," someone else said approvingly.


    "Not many would go all out with a grand party like this."


    Kitty gave a modest smile, "It''s only right. We''re family, after all."


    With that, she nced over at Mirabe, a fleeting smirk in her eyes.


    Being the Cunningham heiress is a title you''ll have to earn.