Chapter 281

Chapter 281

Katya's meat-tasting party had been in preparation for a month. Erik, who worked for Milan, especially came from Suncrest City and kept watch over the party arrangements day and night, just to make sure nothing would go wrong.

A few days before the event, Milan also cleared his schedule and came from Suncrest City to Harmony City.

Mabel did the same, though her work had been completed months ago. For her, this meat-tasting party was just a regular gathering.

On the day of the party, she arrived at the Brown Mansion early in the morning. As soon as she entered the living room, she saw Milan.

Milan saw her too.

"You're here pretty early." Milan was wearing loungewear, clearly having stayed there the night before.

Mabel had known a few days ago that he'd come from Suncrest City. Milan had also messaged her to meet for afternoon tea, but she really didn't want to have tea with such a traditional man who only drank coffee.

So she simply pretended not to see Milan's message.

"Not as early as you. Where are Evelyn and the others?" Mabel couldn't find Evelyn and the others on the first floor, so she had to ask Milan.

"She's upstairs, changing Katya's clothes," Milan answered, putting down his coffee cup. "Didn't you see the message I sent you a few days ago?"

"No." Mabel was an expert at lying with a straight face. She kept her composure perfectly and pretended well. "You sent me a message?"

But her acting was quite clumsy in Milan's eyes. He sighed and didn't call her out, just spoke again, "Alright then, are you free tomorrow? We could go for afternoon tea."

Mabel really wanted to refuse again, but thinking of Jiang Fan's pleading a few days ago, what came out was, "Okay, have you picked a place?"

"I'll have Erik book it now." Milan took out his phone.

Mabel was about to speak when she heard the elevator ding. She immediately forgot about Milan and turned to look at Evelyn and the others coming out of the elevator.

Evelyn also saw Mabel the instant the elevator doors opened, and her smile bloomed immediately. "Aunt Mabel!"

Mabel smiled and went to meet them, then her gaze fell on Katya, who was being held by William. "Haven't seen her in a few days, and Katya's gotten even more beautiful!"

Katya was now six months old, with stronger arms and legs. Seeing Mabel lean in, she immediately reached out to grab her hair.

But before she could get hold of it, Evelyn swatted her hand away. Katya immediately pouted, looking like she was about to cry.

"Don't cry," William said, turning Katya around to hold her differently, coaxing her a bit, then letting her get close to Mabel again. "When you say hello, you can't grab people's hair, okay?"

"She's so little, what does she understand?" Mabel was very patient with Katya.

But Evelyn disagreed. "We can't let her develop bad habits."

She was a strict mother through and through.

In comparison, William seemed more like the gentle parent.

Watching them, Mabel couldn't help but laugh. "Look at you two, it's completely reversed."

Evelyn pressed her lips together and glanced at William without saying anything.

William didn't say anything either. Katya was the child Evelyn had risked her life to bring into the world—how could he bear to discipline her?

After chatting for a bit more, Ewan came in from outside to report.

"Sir, the cars are ready."

Everyone nodded and headed outside.

The venue for the meat-tasting party was on a small island at the harbor. They needed to drive to the helipad first, then take a helicopter there.

Media were already stationed on the island.

However, there was only one media outlet.

And this media outlet was a subsidiary of the Thomas Group.

In other words, the media at this meat-tasting party was entirely arranged by Milan to record Katya's party.

If it were released later, it would be like a public social media post to the whole country.

Evelyn and the others arrived relatively early.

Right on their heels were Daryl and Thora.

Daryl had just returned to the country yesterday and hadn't even gotten over his jet lag yet. He was still yawning when he got off the helicopter.

Thora had stayed at her studio all night and had just fallen asleep not long before being picked up by the driver Milan sent.

She didn't have a helicopter, and Evelyn's place was too far from her studio. Evelyn had originally wanted to arrange for a driver to pick her up, but after learning about her situation, Daryl volunteered to pick up Thora.

Knowing there was something between Daryl and Thora, Evelyn didn't refuse.

So Daryl and Thora arrived at the island together.

As for the other members of the Thomas family, they had arrived at the island last night and rested in the island's guest rooms overnight.

Guests from Harmony City and Suncrest City also arrived one after another.

The banquet hall on the island wasn't large, and the visitors were mostly families close to the Thomas family and the Brown family.

Milan publicly didn't like extravagance, so the decorations were elegant but not lavish.

Sabrina helped entertain the guests.

Jasmine and Thalia wandered around the entrance for a bit, then disappeared somewhere to play.

For young people like them, hardly anyone kept tabs on them.

Ewan and Theo stayed not far behind Evelyn and the others. They didn't speak, but their eyes kept scanning the surroundings.

This was their habit, not because they were nervous.

Evelyn kept glancing toward the entrance. Thora noticed and came over to ask, "What's wrong?"

"Daniel hasn't arrived." Evelyn lowered her head slightly and spoke near her ear.

Although Evelyn leaned close to Thora's ear when speaking, she didn't actually lower her voice, so Daryl, who was following behind Thora, heard.

"He doesn't have time lately." He spoke up. "He wants to resign, but my brother still needs him to handle something, so he's already flown to Switzerland."

Evelyn blinked. "I see."

This little episode quickly passed.

When the meat-tasting party began, Katya was held by William. She looked around at the people surrounding her, having no idea what was about to happen.

In front of her was a small dish of minced meat and a small bowl of porridge, with a silver spoon beside them—something Milan had specially commissioned.

Evelyn took the silver spoon and gently scooped a bit of minced meat onto Katya's lips.

Katya didn't understand at first, but she was at the age where she wanted to put everything in her mouth. So she raised her hands and eagerly pushed the silver spoon into her mouth.

This was her first time tasting meat, and her eyes widened in surprise.

She called out, wanting more.

Katya's reaction made everyone around laugh.

Evelyn also laughed and scooped another bit of minced meat to her lips.

This time, Katya was more skilled. After swallowing, she immediately opened her mouth, her eyes fixed on the dish of minced meat.

After this segment ended, the guests scattered outside the hall to drink coffee, chat, and watch the sea.

William and Evelyn also carried Katya to the window. The sea breeze was gentle, and the sunlight wasn't harsh.

Katya played with the nanny nearby for a while, and soon drowsiness came over her. She fell asleep leaning against the nanny's leg.

Lucky had now completely gotten used to Katya's presence. It wagged its tail and lay down not far away, falling asleep along with Katya.

In the distance, Milan and Mabel sat under an awning, drinking coffee and talking. They went back and forth, getting along fairly well.

Thora and Daryl stood in the corridor. Whatever Daryl said made Thora roll her eyes, but she didn't turn and leave.

Evelyn looked down at Katya and tucked the little stray hairs on her face behind her ear.

William lowered his gaze, his eyes following her movements.

Neither William nor Evelyn spoke, but the atmosphere around them was warm and peaceful—the kind of atmosphere only couples married for many years would have.

It was now late October. The osmanthus flowers were almost gone, but they would bloom again next year.

—The End—