"I'm just here to see my godson and goddaughter, but Landon has something for you," Julia said, betraying Landon before playfully engaging with the children.
Deanna, somewhat surprised by this, looked towards Landon, "You wanted to see me about something?"
"It's nothing much, just that my birthday is in a couple of days, and I would like to invite you to come," Landon replied, pulling out an invitation from his briefcase.
Seeing this, Deanna didn't refuse, "Since that's the case, I'll make sure to be there on time."
During the conversation, Sam came to announce that dinner was ready.
Deanna decided to stay and have dinner with her two friends.
At the table, noticing only Deanna, her son, Old Ashley, and herself, Landon raised an eyebrow and asked, "Isn't Mr. Mercer coming home tonight?"
"Lance has some engagements and will be back late," Deanna explained with a smile.
Julia rolled her eyes at Landon, "Mr. Mercer is busy managing a thousand tasks a day, unlike you who loafs around aimlessly."
"Julia, are you itching for a fight if we don't argue for a while?" Landon looked at her, visibly annoyed.
He already had a grudge against Lance and now felt even more provoked by the overt and covert jabs. How could he not be angry?
Oblivious, Julia nodded seriously, "Maybe a little. Shall we argue then?"
She looked at him provocatively.
Landon was so irritated he gritted his teeth.
Deanna noticed his genuine anger and quickly tried to defuse the situation, "Alright, stop fighting. You two are always at it; you really are like quarrelsome lovers."
"Who's his lover? More like an enemy."
They both spoke in unison.
After saying that, they stared at each other, quickly turning their heads away in disdain.
Deanna couldn't help but chuckle at their antics.
The laughter was shared by the children and Old Ashley as well.
The dinner passed amidst everyone's laughter.
Late at night, Lance returned home.
Deanna greeted him and playfully sniffed around him, observing, "Looks like you didn't drink."
"How could I dare to drink after my girlfriend warned me?" Lance replied, pulling her into an embrace. Changing the subject, he asked, "I heard Landon was here tonight. What did he want?"
Knowing her man's jealousy, Deanna explained, "He came to deliver an invitation. His birthday is coming up, and he invited me to his party."
She paused before adding, "And he wasn't alone; Julia was with him and they left together."
Lance raised an eyebrow, realizing his jealousy was apparent but said nothing.
He sat down on the bed with her, casually asking, "A birthday party, huh? When is it? I suppose I can come as family?"
"Of course, you can join us if you're free," Deanna invited.
Lance smiled, "I'll make time."
Even if he didn't have time, he would make some. Of course, he didn't tell Deanna this.
...
The day of Landon's birthday arrived quickly.
Early in the morning, Deanna got up early to go shopping for a gift for Landon.
Lance accompanied her.
Watching his girlfriend seriously picking out clothes for another man made him uncomfortable, but he said nothing.
He knew Deanna took this seriously because Landon had helped her and her son over the past five years.
Previously struggling with life's demands, Deanna had been unable to repay him despite her desire to do so.
Now that she could, she took it very seriously indeed.
Deanna was aware that although Landon had been absent for the past five years, she and her grandmother could continue living in Cloudmere rather than being eradicated by the Jones family thanks to someone's help.
And that person could only be Landon, who had the means and status back then.
"Lance, what do you think of this outfit for him?" Deanna asked.
Unable to think of what else to give Landon and knowing he lacked nothing, she decided on clothes which at least would be useful.
Lance naturally wouldn't criticize her choice.
He wanted Deanna to finish her shopping quickly so she wouldn't have to keep thinking about another man.
Later that day, after buying the gift and spending some time outside, they went to pick up the children in the evening.
At eight o'clock that night, dressed in matching family outfits, they arrived at the venue for Landon's birthday party.
As soon as they got out of the car, Deanna and Lance's striking appearance immediately drew attention from those around them.
Especially when people recognized Lance, they were visibly shocked.
"Isn't that Mr. Mercer? Why would Mr. Mercer attend the heir to the Sherman family's birthday party?"
"I've never heard of any connection between the Mercer Group and the Sherman family."