"Sing the birthday song and then come with me. This isn't the place for us," Melinda said calmly.
"Melinda! What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me?" Bobby's face twisted from pleasant to menacing in an instant.
Connie, startled by Bobby's sudden change, quickly waved her hands, trying to explain, "No, Bobby, you've got it all wrong. Melinda didn't mean it like that..."
"Shut up!" Bobby cut her off harshly, his tone aggressive. "Look at your precious daughter now. She's gotten in with the Thomas family and thinks she's too good for us. What an ungrateful brat. I should never have taken you and your daughter in. My mistake for being too nice."
"Nice? Bobby, you're a liar. Who was it that begged my grandparents, swearing to treat me like your own daughter? And then you stole their money. To save a buck, you wouldn't even hire a maid, treating my mom like a free servant," Melinda's voice trembled. For years, she and her mother Connie had lived under the Lowe family's roof, treated worse than servants, living in constant fear.
Bobby sneered, his eyes filled with malice. "Melinda, are you looking to die? Don't think that just because we're at the Thomas family estate, I won't do anything to you. Push me too far, and I'll throw your mom off this place. We can all die together."
"Bobby, what are you talking about? That's murder! You'll pay for it with your life!" Connie was terrified, tears streaming down her face as she choked out her words.
Bobby shoved her hand away and slapped her across the face.
"Mom!" Melinda hadn't expected Bobby to be so brazen, hitting someone at the Thomas family estate.
Connie was stunned by the slap, holding her burning cheek as she stood protectively in front of Melinda, fearing Bobby might continue his assault.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. Does it hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Melinda's tears flowed as she gently touched her mother's face.
"What a touching mother-daughter bond," Bobby scoffed before turning and walking away.
"Jerk!" Melinda shouted angrily at Bobby's retreating figure.
She knew that one day, she would make Bobby pay for what he had done, but she also knew that now was not the time to strike back.
"Mom, it's better that he's gone. This is the Thomas family estate; he won't dare to act recklessly here. Don't be afraid. I'll take you and Sam to the banquet hall," Melinda said, feeling guilty.
Connie nodded.
The three of them walked through the main doors of the banquet hall.
Even though the guest list was limited to a hundred people, all either important relatives and friends of the Thomas Group or Larry's long-time friends, the scene was still grand and luxurious, with everyone dressed in their finest, chatting and laughing.
Melinda wore an elegant evening gown, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on a fountain.
There, Emily, in a luxurious off-shoulder gown, was chatting smugly with someone. When their eyes met, it felt like an invisible force was pulling them apart.
The hatred Melinda had buried for five years surged like a tidal wave.
As she entered the hall, she noticed a golden sign listing everyone's names. To her surprise, her name wasn't at her mother's table.
After asking a server, she found out her seat was next to Raymond's, right at the head table.
Melinda's heart raced. Next to her was Sam's seat, and next to Sam was William's. Clearly, this was all Raymond's meticulous arrangement.
So, she called Roy over, hoping to switch to Connie's table.
Roy, hearing her family was over there, immediately arranged the switch.
Melinda sat next to Connie, with Sam in the middle. Bobby was nowhere to be seen.
Just then, a group of people entered.
Melinda looked up to see Raymond talking quietly with a middle-aged man.
Dressed in a black suit, Raymond exuded a calm, irresistible charm.
Emily's eyes never left Raymond from the moment he walked in.
She clearly saw the exchange of glances between Raymond and Melinda, and a wave of anger rose within her.
Outside by the fountain, a black luxury car pulled up. The door opened, and a girl in a white evening gown stepped out, holding an elderly man's arm as they walked into the hall.
Raymond, upon hearing the news, immediately went to greet them. "Mr. Banks, you're finally here. Please, come in." He respectfully welcomed the elderly man, one of his father's closest friends.
"Raymond, long time no see!" Marshall Banks smiled, patting Raymond on the shoulder.
At that moment, a sweet female voice chimed in, "Dad, aren't you going to introduce me?"
Marshall's smile faltered slightly. He turned to Raymond, a bit embarrassed. "Raymond, this is my daughter, Celestia Banks. I haven't mentioned her before."
Raymond was momentarily surprised. He knew Marshall had a son but had never heard of a daughter. He politely nodded to Celestia. "Ms. Banks, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas. I'm Celestia," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Celestia, go inside and find a seat. I need to talk to Raymond for a bit," Marshall said, waving her off.
Celestia nodded obediently and walked into the hall.
Marshall watched her go, a complex expression on his face. He turned to Raymond, his tone pleading and apologetic. "Raymond, Celestia is my illegitimate daughter. She hasn't been able to come home all these years. Please, look after her."
Raymond raised an eyebrow but quickly regained his composure. "Mr. Banks, don't worry. I will."
As the guests took their seats, the banquet officially began.
Melinda sat at her table, noticing Raymond not far away. William had also arrived and came over to greet her.
The dishes tonight had a rustic aroma, each one a work of art.
Melinda helped Sam with his meal, while Emily's eyes were fixed on Raymond from another table.
As Melinda enjoyed her food, a deep male voice suddenly spoke in her ear, "Ms. Sharp, may I propose a toast?" She froze, not needing to turn around to know who it was.
She felt a warm hand lightly resting on her back, radiating heat.
She stood up, the hand never leaving her back.