Chapter 168

Chapter 168

So Rebecca and Melissa headed to Zenith together, bringing along Oliver, who looked especially handsome in his little suit.

Technically, since Zenith was Everard's property and he'd planned to host her birthday party there, the restaurant should've been closed for a private event.

But while the main dining area had been reserved, the rest of the restaurant remained open for business as usual—every table occupied, just like any other night.

The floor manager already knew Rebecca well. As soon as they arrived, he led the family to their seats. Rebecca glanced around at the restaurant's setup, a bit puzzled.

"Why are there still other tables occupied?"

"Well, Mr. Whitaker invited some friends as well."

Just as those words left his mouth, Aurora arrived with her studio partners. Rebecca immediately rushed over to embrace her.

"Aurora, didn't you have an event to attend today?"

"I did, but then Everard reminded me it was your birthday, so obviously that takes priority."

Aurora was always so carefree. "So, where am I sitting?"

"Right next to me!"

Rebecca pulled Aurora into a hug and dragged her toward the seat beside her.

Then she introduced Melissa to the studio crew, even though Aurora and Melissa had met a few times before.

"Ms. Talbot, hello. It's an honor to meet you."

Aurora was uncharacteristically formal when addressing a senior figure in the music world.

Just then, Oliver's voice rang out loudly, "Grandpa!"

Everyone's gaze followed the child's line of sight to the entrance, where Gavin strode in wearing a sharp suit, his long legs carrying him forward with an impressively youthful air.

"Your dad's presence and looks could pass for someone half his age!" Aurora patted Rebecca's shoulder, genuinely impressed.

Rebecca was clearly surprised. She'd barely started to stand when Oliver bolted forward and threw himself into Gavin's arms.

Melissa remained seated, her expression sour. She clearly wasn't pleased to see Gavin—didn't even spare him a glance.

Gavin didn't seem bothered. Carrying Oliver, he walked over and naturally took the seat beside Melissa. With so many people around, Melissa held her tongue.

Aurora nudged Rebecca, whispering,

"Are your parents getting back together?"

It was quiet enough, but everyone heard it. All eyes turned toward the two older adults. Melissa's brow furrowed, about to protest, when Gavin spoke first.

"No. I'm simply pursuing Ms. Talbot again."

For a moment, no one knew how to react.

"Oh, and I'm single now, just so there's no misunderstanding."

Gavin's clarification left Aurora even more stunned. This was 'Gavin'—a titan in both political and business circles—and here he was, explaining himself like any ordinary person.

"Single?" Rebecca looked utterly bewildered. She glanced at Melissa, whose expression made it clear she'd known about this.

"You divorced Katherine?"

Gavin replied calmly, "Yes. We divorced."

Rebecca swallowed hard. She never would've expected to hear this news on her twenty-eighth birthday.

Her feelings were complicated, but she couldn't deny—she was thrilled.

Whatever decision Melissa made wasn't Rebecca's business, but Gavin was her father. Most of the resentment she'd carried all these years evaporated with those two words: 'We divorced.'

"Let's start serving the food. Everyone must be hungry," Rebecca instructed the manager.

Everard had specifically told her not to wait for him. Though Rebecca had no idea what he was up to, with family and friends gathered and nearly seven o'clock, it wouldn't be appropriate to keep everyone waiting.

Oliver needed to use the restroom, so Melissa got up to take him. Rebecca had plenty of questions for her mother, so she followed them.

Melissa clearly anticipated Rebecca's curiosity. "His decision was his own. I didn't know about it, and I haven't figured out what comes next. Even if you ask, I don't have answers."

Rebecca shrugged. Clearly, she wasn't getting anything more out of her.

Melissa and Oliver had just stepped out of the restroom when they ran into a familiar face.

Michelle raised an eyebrow. "Ms. Talbot?"

"Long time no see, Mrs. Michelle Spencer."

Melissa's gaze paused when it landed on the young woman beside Michelle.

Michelle quickly made introductions.

"This is William's girlfriend, Irene Smith."

"How lovely!"

Michelle held Irene's hand, clearly quite pleased with her.

Irene wore a perfectly polished smile—until a small, still-damp hand touched her dress. Her smile froze.

Oliver stared at Irene's outfit with wide-eyed curiosity.

"Aren't you cold?"

Irene tugged at her dress with obvious distaste.

Seeing this, Melissa quickly pulled Oliver's hand back and apologized to Irene.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Smith. He's just a child and doesn't know any better. He's gotten your dress dirty."

"Well, maybe you should teach him better manners."

Irene was trying to contain her anger, but seeing the handprint on her dress, she couldn't bring herself to say 'it's fine.'

"Who just reaches out and touches a stranger's dress like that? Do you have any idea how much this dress costs? With wet hands like that, wrinkling it, dirtying it—can you even afford to replace it?"

Michelle's expression stiffened.

"Grandma, I didn't mean to."

Oliver's words only made the situation more awkward.

"Grandma?" Irene's brow furrowed. "Who are you calling grandma?"

Michelle cleared her throat softly, then explained to Irene, "Irene, this is Oliver. He's William's son."

Michelle crouched down to Oliver's level. "Oliver, it's been so long since we've seen each other. Did you miss me?"

"I did!"

"Then why didn't you have your mother bring you to visit?"

Michelle's words carried a clear bias against Rebecca, but Oliver replied, "I asked, and Mom was willing to bring me, but Dad said we should wait a while before visiting."

Michelle paused, momentarily stunned. After a long silence, she said,

"From now on, if you want to see me, just tell me directly. You don't need to wait for anyone else's permission, okay?"

"Okay, Grandma!"

Oliver agreed easily enough, but in truth, he didn't miss Michelle all that much. A child's world was simple, but at five years old, Oliver had outgrown his most innocent phase. Seeing the woman standing beside Michelle, he already understood that his father would form a new family—one that had nothing to do with him.

Irene didn't like him, and he didn't like Irene either.

Irene's discomfort grew, but pride won out. She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Michelle in an awkward position.

Melissa didn't care much about any of this. She simply said,

"If there's nothing else, we'll be going."

"Ms. Talbot, what brings you here today?"