Chapter 30


    The Bryant family’s home renovation exuded an understated opulence, with a sliding ss door that connected the foyer to the garden patio. Once opened, the entire soiree was transformed. into a semi–open affair.


    The event’s decoration, schedule, and array of exquisite food were all meticulously arranged by a professional nningpany.


    The Henderson family, though no strangers to the party circuit, couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy as they took in the scale of the Bryant family’s affair.


    Upon arrival, Kathryn straightened her posture, instinctively aiming to present her most radiant self to the gathering’s elite.


    For this


    g, she had coaxed Barton into splurging on a limited designed dress, a strapless tulle gown fit for a princess, topped with a petite tiara that framed her as royalty.


    Her deliberate sweet smile did indeed turn heads as she entered, yet before she could strike an even more graceful pose, the nces that had once been fixed on her shifted away, some tinged with disdain.


    Confused, Kathryn couldn’t fathom what was amiss with her ensemble.


    Unbeknownst to her and the Henderson family, a girl in a sleek ck dress chuckled with herpanion in a corner.


    “Who was thatdy? Doesn’t she know who the guest of honor is tonight? Wearing a crown, she thinks she’s the princess of the evening?”


    Another replied, “She looks familiar, but I can’t quite ce her.”


    1


    “Oh, isn’t that the CEO of Henderson Group? How did the Henderson family even make the guest list?”


    The Bryant family was equally puzzled to see the Henderson family approaching them. Terrell was especially taken aback.


    Who let them in?


    After all, Clifford had explicitly forbidden any coboration with them following a slight against Winnie, even retracting existing partnerships. How did they end up here?


    “Mr. Terrell, it’s such a pleasure to see you. I’ve been meaning to catch up, but you’ve been elusive. What a fortunate coincidence!” Barton gushed, seizing the opportunity to rekindle business ties.


    Terrell’s wife, J, was mingling with guests when she spotted the Henderson family. She maintained herposure and casually inquired, “Terrell, who might these people be?”


    J had never met the Henderson family. Suzan’s attempt <b>to </b>visit had been cut short at the


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    Chapter 30


    gate, so she <b>was </b>unfamiliar with them.


    Terrell introduced them, “This is Mr. Henderson and his wife, and I believe this is their daughter.”


    J turned keen upon learning their identities.


    The Bright Group, led by Clifford, had always been guided by his decisions. J respected


    Clifford too.


    She knew of his disdain for the Henderson family, a sentiment she shared, especially after learning how they treated Winnie, their supposed princess.


    Winnie, who had been raised more as Kathryn’s underling, carrying bags, fetching snacks, and even keeping vigil during her illnesses, was hardly treated with gratitude or respect. When Kathryn was in poor health and was hospitalized for examination, Winnie must apany her bed to take care of her.


    While it was delicately put that Kathryn and Winnie looked after each other, the Henderson family was far from so poor that they couldn’t hire a caregiver.


    When Winnie was driven into the hospital to save Kathryn, the Henderson family didn’t appreciate it, and even kicked Winnie out of the house.


    If it weren’t for Suzan’s idental exposure to Winnie when she came to the door yesterday, Clifford wouldn’t be in a hurry to check these things.


    As a result, the more J looked at what she found out, the more angry she was.


    Even though Suzan had no evidence of explicitly abusing Winnie, Winnie had suffered a lot of grievances in the Henderson family.


    J cooled her demeanor as she realized who they were. “So you are the Henderson family. We finally meet.”


    She made a mental note to ensure they wouldn’t be admitted so easily next time.


    Barton, preupied with potential deals, missed J’s change in tone and chuckled, “Indeed. my wife and daughter tried to visit the other day but missed you. They were quite disappointed, but today’s meeting was worth the wait.”


    J raised an eyebrow, her smile sharpening. “Didn’t Mrs. Henderson tell you why she missed us?”


    At J’s insinuation, Kathryn and Suzan tensed visibly.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Barton, initially baffled, quickly caught on to the underlying tension. ncing at anxious Suzan and Kathryn, he realized something was amiss and hastily offered, “My wife and daughter can be a bit spoiled. If they’ve offended you in any way, please don’t take it to heart.”


    Catching Barton’s demeanor, J exchanged a quick and knowing nce with Terrell beside her. They both seemed to instantly grasp the unspoken.


    Chapter 30


    It was clear that Suzan and Kathryn hadn’t breathed a word about their visit to the Bryant family that day.


    The plot thickened.


    “The day in question, Mrs. Henderson and your daughter didn’t even cross paths with my wife. so there’s no question of offense,” said Terrell, chuckling to diffuse the tension. He couldn’t very well admit that it was due to the Henderson family crossing Clifford that the partnership was dissolved. Spreading that kind of talk would tarnish the Bryant family’s reputation.


    Barton, well–versed in the art of business doublespeak, was already certain that it was Susan and Kathryn’s visit that day that had soured the deal with the Bryant family. And they had kept it from him<b>!</b>


    His gaze turned icy as it swept over the two women, but mindful of the asion, Barton didn’t make a scene. Instead, he adopted a look that promised a reckoningter and turned to Terrell with a sincere plea.


    “Terrell there’s been some misunderstanding. I’d hate to see a small mix–up ruin the potential between our families. I desire a partnership with the Bright Group. If there are any concerns about the terms, the Henderson Group is willing to amodate.”


    Terrell shook his head with feigned regret as he replied, “Actually, the decision to cancel the partnership came from Clifford. There’s really nothing I can do to help, I’m afraid.”


    At the mention of Clifford, Barton’s heart skipped a beat, puzzled as to how this now involved him. Barton involuntarily flicked his gaze back to his wife and daughter, who had turned even more ashen.


    Barton was nearly ovee with frustration.


    Just what kind of debacle had they caused at the Bryant family that day?


    Before Barton could formte a n to confront Suzan and Kathryn upon their return, J cut through, bringing up apletely unrted matter, “Oh, look, the guest of honor has finally made an appearance. Mr. Henderson<b>, </b>you have been ever so kind to our family, and now we must raise a ss in celebration.”


    Barton felt a surge of confusion and followed everyone’s gaze to the grand’staircase in the foyer.


    And there, descending the stairs with the grace of a swan, was a vision in white camellia dress, an image that brought Barton to a stunned standstill.