The wedding reception was in full swing, with Morrison Langston and his bride Magdalen Sampson making their way around the room, toasting their guests. Sophia had stepped out to take a call, and one of the bridesmaids had to leave early, leaving only Estelle and Gabrielle to flank Magdalen’s side.

Toasting was largely a formality. Whether Magdalen actually drank was at her discretion—no one dared to pressure her, and there was certainly no need for Estelle or Gabrielle to step in to deflect any unwanted drinks.

As they approached the Macclain family’s table, Elizabeth, eager to curry favor with the Sampsons, made a point of acknowledging Estelle in front of Magdalen. But before the newlyweds could reach her table, Elizabeth rose and called out with feigned affection, “Estelle, darling!”

Magdalen glanced at the Macclains but didn’t miss a beat, continuing right to the next table.

Morrison, his arm around Magdalen’s waist, was all too happy to indulge her impulse.

Estelle remained cool and detached, ignoring Elizabeth’s greeting as if it were never uttered.

Elizabeth’s smile froze awkwardly on her face. Surrounded by so many onlookers, she felt a hot flush of embarrassment and sat back down, pretending to ignore the snickers and murmurs from nearby guests.

Her expression darkened as she hissed to Simone, “Sabina was right; your daughter really does need discipline!”

Simone replied in a low, stern voice, “I told you to ignore her. She’s never paid us any mind!”

Natalia scoffed, “And to think, you were always defending Estelle. Turns out she doesn’t even acknowledge her families!”

Leonie, unbothered, retorted, “Recognition isn’t something you just talk about. And why should Estelle acknowledge us? Maybe we should all take a hard look in the mirror before we go criticizing others.”

Her words seemed to offend everyone at the table.

Natalia was so angry she almost had a heart attack on the spot!

Sabina glared at Estelle’s retreating figure, the memory of a certain scene outside pricking at her like a venomous thorn.

Meanwhile, Emily and her friends, including Marina Evert and Aimee Jordan, were engrossed in conversation when Magdalen approached. They quickly raised their glasses in celebration.

“I just saw Kya,” Magdalen beamed. “She’s become the darling among the aunts, and one lady even took off her jade necklace to let her play with it like it was a marble!”

Emily smiled warmly, “She was thrilled to be a flower girl for once!”

“Waiting for Kya to grow up to be my flower girl

bubbled up from the

“Heard you caught the bouquet. Congratulations! Hopefully, next time we’ll be drinking

Mr. Foster? With such a long engagement, is a wedding date on

playfully, “Who knows

knowing look, immediately

the banquet hall, Morrison led Magdalen upstairs to the VIP section, starting with the room where

recalling the words she had

others ensured that Morrison and Magdalen couldn’t escape without drinking from the

Jonathan. “Mr. Lamont, it’s a true honor to have you come from such a distance. Even though it wasn’t just for me, I’m delighted all the same. This first toast is to

someone else should give this

Estelle—but before she could react, Gabrielle squeezed past her,

fell quiet, all eyes on Gabrielle,

familiar with Gabrielle from childhood but not close, watched her eagerness with a cold smirk. Gabrielle had been quick to avoid toasting earlier, yet now she was more than

to

“If I’m to

Sampson making their way around the room, toasting their guests. Sophia had stepped out to take a call,

at her discretion—no one dared to pressure her, and

Sampsons, made a point of acknowledging Estelle in front of Magdalen. But before the newlyweds could reach her table,

Macclains but didn’t miss a beat, continuing

waist, was all

ignoring Elizabeth’s greeting as

on her face. Surrounded by so many onlookers, she felt a hot flush of embarrassment and sat back down, pretending to ignore the snickers

expression darkened as she hissed to Simone, “Sabina was

stern voice, “I told you to ignore her. She’s never paid

defending Estelle. Turns out she doesn’t even acknowledge

unbothered, retorted, “Recognition isn’t something you just talk about. And why should Estelle acknowledge us? Maybe we should all take a hard look in the mirror before we go criticizing

seemed to offend

had a

memory of a certain scene outside

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