Chapter 75

Sylvia naturally knew nothing about the mess going on at the Smith Manor.

All her attention was now focused on her parents' upcoming wedding banquet.

After going through the bankruptcy crisis, Hayden's health wasn't as good as before, but his state of mind had become much more open and relaxed.

He deeply felt he had owed Rhea too much over the years. With the Spencer Group's crisis resolved and Christmas approaching, he insisted on holding a grand wedding banquet for Rhea, treating it as a way to shake off the year's bad luck and fulfill his wife's long-held wish.

On Christmas Eve, fine snow began falling in Emerald City, but inside the InterContinental Hotel in the city center, it was warm and festively decorated.

Outside the banquet hall, Rhea wore a dark red haute couture embroidered gown, her hair styled impeccably. Time had been kind to this beauty—at this moment, her eyes and brows radiated the sweetness of being gently treated by the years.

Hayden wore a sharp dark suit, looking spirited as he held his wife's hand tightly. The two stood in the reception area, making a perfect couple.

Vincent wore a well-fitted silver-gray suit with gold-rimmed glasses, gracefully handling guest reception. He managed everything with perfect measure, keeping things running smoothly.

"Mr. Scott, congratulations, and Merry Christmas."

A warm, smiling male voice came through. Vincent looked up to see Preston approaching with two beautifully wrapped gifts.

He wore a casual suit without the superior air of other Smith Family members, making people feel comfortable and at ease.

Vincent had a good impression of him and stepped forward to shake his hand: "Mr. Smith, you're too kind. It's windy outside, please come in."

"Mr. Spencer and Mrs. Spencer look absolutely radiant today." Preston handed the gifts to a nearby assistant and asked casually, "Where's Sylvia? I don't see her around."

"She's in her third trimester and can't stand for long, so I had her wait in the lounge." Vincent gently pointed toward the end of the hallway. "You can go find her there."

In the lounge, the heating was turned up high.

Sylvia wore a loose beige maternity dress, leaning on the sofa looking through a parenting picture book. Hearing the knock, she looked up, and seeing it was Preston, her cool eyes instantly softened.

"What are you doing here?" Sylvia put down the book and tried to get up.

"Stay still. You need to take extra good care of yourself now." Preston quickly walked over, placing an exquisite velvet box on the coffee table before sitting down on the armchair across from her. "How could I miss Mr. Spencer and Mrs. Spencer's wedding? Plus, I'm delivering a gift for my mom—something for her niece in advance."

Sylvia opened the box to find a pair of safety pendants of excellent quality with fine carving, warm to the touch.

"This is too valuable. Mrs. Smith shouldn't have gone to such trouble." Sylvia felt a bit embarrassed.

"Just keep it. You know how my mom is—she'd be upset if her gifts were returned." Preston looked at Sylvia, noting that despite her swollen belly, her complexion was rosy, and he felt secretly relieved.

After leaving that cold man Lucas, she seemed to have come back to life, no longer the lifeless Mrs. Smith she used to be.

The two chatted in the lounge, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.

Meanwhile, the hotel's first-floor revolving glass door was pushed open.

Edward wore a fine black coat, standing tall, with Xanthe carrying a designer bag at his side.

The two had been invited to the Spencer Family's wedding banquet and were heading toward the elevator.

"Ding—"

The first-floor VIP elevator doors slowly opened to both sides.

Edward and Xanthe's steps stopped at the same time.

Walking out of the elevator was Lucas.

He wore a pure black haute couture suit, his face cold as frost, his deep eyes radiating an unapproachable hostility.

Standing beside him was Lynn in a cute pink dress.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Seeing this disgusting pair, Xanthe rolled her eyes.

She snorted coldly, not even bothering to pretend, and pulled Edward's arm toward the regular elevator: "Even on Christmas, we have such bad luck."

Lynn's face stiffened, and she instinctively pressed closer to Lucas's arm, biting her lip and putting on a wronged expression.

Edward's expression remained cold, his gaze sweeping over Lucas like an ice blade without stopping for even half a second, not bothering to spare him an extra glance.

Both sides acted like complete strangers with no connection, skipping even the pretense of polite small talk, treating each other like air as they passed by.

Lucas's steps paused slightly. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Edward heading toward the floor where the Spencer Family's wedding banquet was being held. His jawline instantly tightened, and a dark, unclear gloom churned in his eyes.

In the luxurious Chinese-style private room on the InterContinental Hotel's top floor, it was a different scene altogether.

Today was a Christmas gathering hosted by the Smith Family together with the Powell Family.

Although the Powell Family had previously blocked the Smith Family's projects over the Sylvia matter, causing some unpleasantness between the two families, they had a relationship spanning many years, so appearances still needed to be maintained.

The room was elegantly furnished, the round table laden with delicious food. Amid the clinking of glasses, the elders exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere appeared harmonious on the surface.

Cleo sat in the main seat, enjoying everyone's flattery. Her gaze swept around the table, and her brow gradually furrowed. Looking at Barbara Powell seated on the right, her tone carried the authority of an elder: "Barbara, why don't I see Preston? It's Christmas Eve, and our two families are finally gathered together—where did he run off to?"

Hearing Cleo's question, Barbara didn't even lift her eyelids, her tone as natural as if discussing the weather: "Sylvia's father is holding a wedding banquet downstairs today. Preston said he was going to deliver a gift and keep Sylvia company in the lounge for a bit. He'll come up later."

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously lively room instantly fell silent, the air seemingly sucked dry, making it suffocating.

The elders exchanged glances, their smiles freezing on their faces.

Everyone knew Lucas and Sylvia were in a bitter conflict. Sylvia refused to return to the Smith Manor even for Christmas and was staying directly at the Spencer Manor.

Now the Spencer Family was celebrating, Lucas sat here unmoved, while his cousin Preston ran off to deliver gifts and keep her company—this was practically humiliating Lucas and the Smith Family's rules.

Lucas's hand holding his wine glass suddenly froze, his knuckles turning a cold, pale white from the pressure.

He lowered his lashes, his eyes instantly covered with a thick layer of ice, the low pressure around him making even Lynn, sitting beside him, shiver involuntarily.

The elders were all perceptive. Sensing the wrong atmosphere, they all lowered their heads to drink coffee and eat, deliberately avoiding this dangerous topic. No one dared provoke Lucas's anger.