Chapter 100


    Chapter 100 Birthday Banquet


    Sylvia lounged on the sofa, savoring the bre


    the kitchen staff had carefully prepared


    for her, while Balk was the picture of frustration, his face crumpled with irritation. Call after call came


    in, and not a moment of peace seemed within reach. The contrast between Sylvia’s leisure and


    Balk’s agitation was stark.


    They both knew very well why Balk was so busy today. But Sylvia’s rxation seemed a tad


    excessive given that the trouble was of her own making, and now the men of the house were left to


    shoulder the me.


    Finally, Balk couldn’t take it anymore. He stormed over to Sylvia after hanging up another call,


    snatching a piece of fruit from her hand just as she was about to eat it.


    “I know you’re upset, but there’s no need to vent your anger on the fruit,” Sylvia said, looking at her


    now empty hand, well aware of her brother’s inability to curb his temper.


    Balk almostughed in irritation. Wasn’t all this mess caused by Sylvia? If not for her, would he be


    swamped with these problems? He couldn’t help but ruffle Sylvia’s hair, which she protested with a


    startled yelp.


    “What are you doing?” Sylvia protested, her hair now in disarray.


    Balk’s grim smile faded as he reached to ruffle her hair again, but Sylvia dodged it this time.


    “What can I do? This mess is all to help you, yet you dragged me down with you. Do you have any


    idea how many years of reputation you’ve destroyed for me? Do you know what people are saying


    about us? All sorts of nasty stuff!”


    Sylvia blinked, surprised. Hadn’t they all prepared for such oues when they initially decided on


    this course of action? Why was Balk making such a fuss?


    “If you think this isn’t a good idea, we can always cancel,” Sylvia offered casually, which only


    infuriated Balk more. It wasn’t just about messing up Sylvia’s hair anymore; he tapped her head


    lightly, which didn’t actually hurt her, but she felt somewhat helpless dealing with her brother.


    “How can you casually suggest that? Do you have any idea how long everyone has been preparing


    for your birthday banquet? It’s happening next week. If you tell me now to cancel it, do you think our


    father and our eldest brother won’t be mad?”


    The entire family adored their little sister Sylvia, and Balk knew it. But he dreaded to think of the


    reaction this news would spark from his siblings.


    “If you find fault with every solution, what do you suggest we do? If youe up with a


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    good solution, I won’t say another word,” Sylvía reasoned. She understood that Balk was simply


    overwhelmed by the media and hade to vent to her. She wasn’t angry but


    decided to continue the conversation based on what he had said.


    Balk felt near–exploding with frustration after….ng Sylvia’s response.


    “The birthday feast must go on, and it’s time to officially announce your identity.


    Otherwise, you’ll keep attracting all these bothersome people. By the way, I picked up a massive


    gem at the auction the other day; thought you might like it.” Balk pulled Sylvia away from her


    breakfast and led her upstairs to his room, where he ced arge box in


    front of her.


    “How big is the gemstone you bought?” Sylvía asked, unsure what to expect.


    Balk gestured for her to open the box and see for herself. With some hesitation, Sylvia lifted the lid


    and immediately burst intoughter upon seeing a gemstone–studded tiara. Balk had obtained it


    thinking it was just a fancy stone.


    “What do you think? Perfect for your birthday banquet, right? It suits your status. If you think it’s not


    worthy of you, we can always find something else,” Balk offered. His financial sess over the


    years meant he didn’t need family money to buy something that Sylvia


    would like.


    “It is quite beautiful,” Sylvia admitted, given that the tiara looked stunning no matter how one looked


    at it. She ced it on her head, feeling its fit was just right, though she couldn’t


    see herself without a mirror.


    Balk’s gaze softened, and he nodded with approval.


    “My sister makes it beautiful.”


    Sylvia smiled and carefully returned the tiara to its box. “Then you’ll help me wear it at the


    banquet?”


    “Of course,” Balk said, tapping the box with pride, prepared to ce the tiara on Sylvia’s


    head himself when the time came.


    The Ivan family’s sudden decision to host a grand birthday banquet for their seldom–seen daughter


    sent ripples through high society. There had been many rumors surrounding the reclusive Miss Ivan


    – everything from poor health to unfortunate looks. Yet, throughout the years, the Ivan family never


    stepped forward to rify these wild spections.


    Instead of providing exnations now, the Ivan family announced a birthday celebration for their


    daughter, inviting nearly the entire elite society to the event. When Cyril received


    his invitation, he was surprised, particrly because it made him recall Sylvia’s recent scandal. He


    always saw her in a different light, not as someone to get involved with too many men. But to


    associate Sylvia with the Ivan family’s mysterious daughter seemed far- fetched.


    “My heavens, what could the Ivan family be thinking? After all these years of keeping her hidden,


    why reveal her now? What’s really going on here?” Jonathan couldn’t help but wonder,pletely


    befuddled by the unexpected turn of events.