Chapter 168 The Banquet


    ‘You guessed right.‘


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    “The ruby set I bought at the auction should go perfectly with it.’


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    Seeing Jonathan’s reply, Anneliese touched the pearl ne Jessica had just fastened around her neck. She had felt awkward about wearing the jewels he had given her, but since he had mentioned them directly, leaving them untouched would seem deliberate and strange.


    ‘I’ll try it.’


    After hesitating, she finally sent the reply. Before she could rise, Jessica, who had caught a glimpse of the chat, chuckled. “Great minds think alike. I told you the rubies matched better. Let me swap it for you.”


    Jessica quickly fetched the jewelry and sped the ruby ne and earrings onto Anneliese. Just those two pieces transformed her–suddenly radiant, dazzling with poise and elegance.


    “You look gorgeous. Send him a photo!” Jessica snatched her phone and snapped a shot before Anneliese could stop her.


    “Wait-”


    “Wait nothing,” Jessica cut her off and hit send. “He gave you the gift. The least you can do is return the courtesy with a picture.”


    Inside the AeroAir CEO’s office, Jonathan opened the image. His long fingers zoomed in, brushing over Anneliese’s flushed cheek on the screen, then pausing at her delicate earlobe, made lovelier by the ruby drop he had given her. He tapped save.


    Zion knocked on the door. “Mr. Fullbuster, it’s about time. We should head out to the White


    estate.”


    Jonathan rose to his feet. “Check if there’s a red tie in the lounge.”


    Zion blinked in confusion.


    At the White estate, garden lights glowed, and the air inside the residence was rich with the scent of champagne and desserts. Laughter and chatter filled the rooms as guests mingled in


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    Chapter 168 The Banquet


    their finery.


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    Brothers, Perseus and Christopher, stood at the entrance, greeting guests on behalf of the family.


    “Call Anneliese again,” Perseus ordered in a low voice. “She promised she’de early to help with the arrangements. The banquet is about to start, and she still hasn’t shown up. Unbelievable.”


    Christopher, already irritable, dialed her number, but no one answered. Remembering that Timothy would be leading the family in apologizing to Anneliese that night only made him more annoyed.


    “She’s not picking up. Honestly, it’d be better if she didn’te at all–just showing up embarrass us.”


    “Didn’t you say she had prepared some kind of birthday surprise for Mom?”


    will


    The thought of the luxury vi Anneliese had given Mnie softened Christopher’s scowl slightly.


    At that moment, a Bentley rolled to a stop, and Zacharias stepped out.


    “She’s here,” Christopher muttered, moving forward. He intended to scold Anneliese before reminding her not to steal the spotlight that night. Selina was making her first public appearance since returning from abroad, and Anneliese needed to let the attention fall on her.


    But when the car door opened, only Zacharias got out.


    Christopher frowned. “Where’s Anneliese?”


    “She isn’t here?” Zacharias‘ expression darkened.


    d in a sharp navy suit, he looked every bit the elegant son–inw, but his face was grim. He had gone to Maple Bay to pick her up, ringing the bell for ages with no response. He thought she must havee early. Now it seemed she had been avoiding him.


    Christopher sneered. “Her tantrums need to stop. She has no sense of asion. Does she want to hand outsiders aughingstock on a silver tter? If she’s so bold, she should just stay away tonight!”


    The banquet was filled with the White family’s closest allies. Anneliese not arriving with Zacharias only broadcast their marital discord for all to see–a humiliation for the Whites.


    “Let’s go inside. It’s about to start,” Perseus said gravely.


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    Chapter 168 The Banquet


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    As they entered, Selina appeared, dressed to steal the show. Her red ball gown shimmered under the lights, paired with an entire ruby set of jewelry. Her long curls framed her radiant face, yful yet striking. She had taken great pains that night, confident she would outshine


    everyone.


    “Perseus, Chris, Zach,” she greeted sweetly, “where’s Anne? Is she outside? I’ll go bring her in.”


    Her words made Zacharias‘ face turn darker, but Christopher stopped her. “She hasn’t arrived. Leave it.”


    “But Mom and Dad are waiting for her. We’re supposed to enter as a family. How could she-”


    Selina looked worried, but inside, she brimmed with joy. <i>Could </i><i>Anneliese </i><i>be </i><i>too </i><i>scared </i><i>to </i><ie </i><i>at </i><i>all</i><i>? </i>


    She wished more than anything that Anneliese would never show her face again.