"Ugh, don''t even say that! What are you thinking?" Leda Reynolds rolled her eyes in disgust. “Me, interested in him? Am I that desperate?"


    "...Good, just making sure. Heh heh."


    York nced behind her. "Did youe alone?"


    "Yep."


    "So, the Reynolds family sent you as their representative?"


    “Pfft. I''m not here on behalf of the Reynolds family today."


    York was confused. "Then who are you here for? It can''t be for the Gibsons, can it? Heh, actually, now that I think about it, that would be fine. After all, you''re my girlfriend now, the future daughter-inw of the Gibson family. Representing us would be perfectly appropriate!"


    "In your dreams! I''m not representing anyone. I''m here for myself."


    "...What does that mean?"


    Leda waved the invitation in her hand. While everyone else''s was crimson, hers was a soft pink.


    "See this? It''s a personal invitation."


    "For you?" York was slightly taken aback.


    "What? Is that so hard to believe?"


    A personal invitation was typically sent by the hosts to close rtives or particrly important individuals. It signified a special status and high regard.


    How did Leda get one?


    "Are you rted to the Rodriguez family somehow?"


    That couldn''t be right... he''d never heard of any family ties between the Reynolds and the Rodriguezes. Besides, if there were, the entire Reynolds family would have received a special invitation, not just Leda.


    A faint smile yed on her lips. "Guess."


    York was speechless.


    "Murray, over here!" Cliff waved in a certain direction.


    Murray Sherwood saw him and walked over.


    "I was starting to think you weren''ting," Cliff said.


    “Just making an appearance,” Murray replied, his interest clearly elsewhere. "I''m leaving as soon as dinner starts."


    "In such a hurry?"


    "Yeah. I have to be in Luminis tonight. The branch office there ran into some trouble."


    "I see..." Cliff gged down a waiter and handed Murray a ss of red wine from the tray. "Try this, Murray. It''s quite good."


    Murray waved it away. "I''m not drinking."


    Cliff stared. What was with everyely? First one, now another. Were they all


    turning over a new leaf? Suddenly, he felt like he was being left behind.


    "Ahem! Look at this crowd. Everyone who''s anyone is here, even those who probably shouldn''t be it seems. Mr. Rodriguez is taking this birthday celebration very seriously.


    "Mm," Murray said tly. “It''s also his way of telling everyone just how important this newly found daughter is to the family."


    Something urred to Cliff. "Speaking of which, Corley''s mother is also a Rodriguez daughter. Doesn''t that make this woman they''re introducing tonight his... aunt?"


    Murray''s expression remained unchanged.


    Cliff realized his misstep. "Ah, forget I said anything. I was just thinking out loud."


    The hall was stuffy and loud. Murray frowned, wrinkling his nose at the cacophony of perfumes wafting from every direction. "I''m going to step outside for some air..."


    But before he could finish, the lights in the venue suddenly dimmed.


    The celebration was officially beginning.


    Neely Rodriguez was the first to take the stage. The old man looked hale and hearty, his voice booming with energy as he offered a few. pleasantries before eagerly getting to the main point. ''


    "...I''d also like to take this opportunity to formally introduce my daughter, who was separated from me for many years. As many of you know pertain events in the past leds


    to us being apart for over two


    decades."


    "Now, she has returned to us and to this circle. I hope all of you here tonight will look


    out for her in the future."


    "Madge,e up here—"