The drinking continued, but Gwyneth's mood was complicated.
She watched Raymond with his arm around Melinda's waist, the two of them raising their glasses to the guests, their faces beaming with happiness.
Gwyneth tried her best to maintain her elegance and composure, but she couldn't help feeling a twinge of bitterness inside.
"This seating arrangement is ridiculous! Why did they put us here?" Kaia couldn't help but complain.
"Don't be so picky. There are so many people here today. We're lucky to have a seat at all," Vincent explained.
Kaia pouted but said nothing more.
An hour later, Raymond and Melinda returned to their seats after making the rounds.
"Everyone, enjoy the food and drinks!" Larry stood up with his glass raised, his voice booming. The atmosphere lightened considerably with his words.
"Melinda, let's take a picture together," someone suggested.
"Sure," Melinda agreed with a smile.
Claire, who was also invited, sat next to Melinda, smiling gracefully.
"Ms. Murphy, since you're here, why not stay a few more days?" someone suggested.
"Sure, that would be lovely," she replied.
After dinner, the guests began to leave, and Larry left early to rest.
Melinda was exhausted too. She had been standing in high heels all day, and her toes were red and swollen.
Raymond noticed and felt a pang of sympathy.
Back at the villa, Melinda took a bath and changed into her nightgown. Raymond brought a basin of hot water and placed it in front of her.
"Sweetheart, soak your feet. It'll make you feel better."
Melinda was deeply touched. "Thank you, honey."
After soaking her feet, Melinda lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
Raymond watched her peaceful face, leaned down, and kissed her forehead.
Then he quietly left the room. He had some matters to attend to.
Claire was taking selfies in the villa's garden.
She twirled around in a red dress, her face lit up with joy.
She snapped a candid photo of Dennis reading a book.
Looking at the photo, she couldn't help but say, "Dennis is so handsome! He's my perfect dream guy!"
But alas, Dennis wasn't in the entertainment industry and rarely smiled. He always had a stern look, like someone owed him money.
"Claire! What are you sneaking around for?" Dennis's voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
Claire was startled, almost dropping her phone. She guiltily covered her phone and said, "Nothing... nothing..."
Then she dashed upstairs.
"William, do you have a girl you like? It's time to settle down and start a family," Teresa called out to William.
"Mom, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing," William replied helplessly.
"You know what you're doing? You're still single!" Teresa said irritably. "I shouldn't have let you go abroad! Now you can't even find a wife!"
"Mom, I told you! If you had let me marry Melinda back then, I'd have a wife now!" William joked.
"Nonsense! Melinda is Raymond's wife! How could you marry her? Our family can't afford that scandal!" Mrs. Thomas glared at William. "And your grandfather wouldn't have allowed it! He wouldn't let you two fight over a woman!"
Meanwhile, Gwyneth and her father, Vaughn Thomas, were talking in the villa's living room.
"Dad, if you had come back earlier, I would have married Raymond, not Melinda!" Gwyneth said with some resentment.
"Gwyneth, it's not that simple," Vaughn sighed. "Larry's always been wary of us. He'd never let Raymond marry someone from our side of the family."
The tension in the room was palpable.
Vaughn's deep voice echoed in the study, his words carrying an undeniable firmness.
"Gwyneth, if you had come back and been with Raymond, Larry would have done anything to separate you two. We would have lost our chance completely."
Vaughn's eyes gleamed with ambition.
Gwyneth listened quietly, her emotions in turmoil.
She knew her parents had high hopes for her since birth. All their efforts were to get close to Raymond and become part of the Thomas family.
Now, the opportunity had finally come. She couldn't let Vaughn down.
"I understand, Dad," Gwyneth said, taking a deep breath. "I'll become friends with Melinda, gain her trust, and get close to Raymond. No matter the cost, I'll fulfill your plan."
As night fell, the Thomas family dinner officially began.
Melinda wore a white mermaid dress, looking as elegant and enchanting as a mermaid princess.
She exchanged a smile with Claire.
Gwyneth, however, was distracted, glancing in Raymond's direction. When Raymond got up to take a call, she immediately followed.
In a corner of the garden, Gwyneth finally found Raymond.
She approached him, her voice sweet. "Raymond, you look so handsome. Let me fix your tie."
She reached for his tie, but Raymond stepped back, avoiding her hand.
He gave Gwyneth a cold glance and turned to leave.
Gwyneth's hand froze in mid-air, her face showing a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
She knew this was just the beginning of her battle with Raymond. The real fight was yet to come.
Back in the hall, Raymond sat next to Melinda.
Melinda, worried about his health, kept adding food to his plate, urging him not to drink too much.
Larry watched, nodding in approval.
Gwyneth sat on the side, silently observing everything, planning her next move.
Halfway through the dinner, someone suggested a night walk.
The guests were excited, eagerly discussing their participation.
Rhett, who had been watching Claire, seized the moment when Dennis left and approached her. "Claire, want to join the night walk? The moon is beautiful tonight, perfect for a stroll."
Claire was tempted. She really wanted to join the night walk.
But she was worried Dennis wouldn't agree and she'd be in a tough spot.
As she hesitated, Dennis returned.
Seeing Rhett with Claire, Dennis's eyes flashed with displeasure.
He quickly walked over and took Claire's hand. "Claire, we should go."
"But I want to join the night walk..." Claire pleaded softly.
Dennis frowned, about to refuse, but then he saw the hopeful sparkle in Claire's eyes.
He softened, sighed, and said, "Alright, but you have to stick close to me and not wander off."
Claire jumped with joy at Dennis's words.
Rhett, feeling awkward, smiled and walked away.
The night walk began, and the guests gathered in the garden.
The moonlight bathed the garden, giving it a mysterious veil.
Claire held Dennis's arm, walking among the crowd, filled with anticipation and curiosity.
Gwyneth stood alone in a corner, watching everything silently, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions...