Magnus and Ferdinand looked at the Sugo family with guilt crossing their faces while the other party looked at them with hatred. Cayenne didn't really expect that the two family would meet at this point because the Sugo family always avoided the Dumrique family.

  "Granny. Grandpa." Cayenne greeted Jose and Cory happily when she approached them. "I'm so glad that you guys came." She hugged them first before letting go and gave Stanley and Dom a perfunctory hug as well. It didn't escape from her observation that Stanley had been looking to a certain table far from his right side. "Uncle, you will scare my friend like that." Cayenne whispered which pulled Stanley back.

  "Am I that scary?" Stanley asked while touching his chin to see if he removed his stubbles really well. "I think I shaved my face cleanly."

  Cayenne giggled and pulled them to another table which have been vacant since the beginning of the party. "That's not what I mean. Anyway, let's chat while you guys eat."

  "That sounds good." Stanley nodded his head in agreement. "Happy birthday by the way. And this is our gift for you." He handed the gift bag to Cayenne and took a seat next to his son.

  "Thank you so much. You didn't really have to bother with gifts. I'm already happy that you guys came."

  "Of course, we'll come. We won't miss your special day just because of certain people." Cory replied, not hiding the hatred in her voice at all.

  Cayenne just smiled faintly while Stefan remained silent. He didn't stand on either side of the family right now. He was only worried for Cayenne and Cayenne alone. He can't do anything of what happened to the past and he can't really diffuse the hatred from his maternal family.

  Since the Sugo family came, Ferdinand and Magnus became silent. They didn't talk much with their close business partners, worried that their voices would irk a certain old couple.

  "Is it just me or does the new guests hate sir Stefan's family?" Manager Dan whispered to his colleagues.

  "It's just your imagination." Manager Kim retorted before stuffing some some slices of fruits in her mouth.

  "Actually, it's not just an imaginary notion." Jessie replied. "They're the Sugo family. They're the maternal family of the boss. You should know by now about what happened to her biological mother and why he hated his father and grandpa before. Although he reconciled with his paternal family, both sides of his family aren't. In fact, this is the first time that they've come face to face after 28 years." Jessie told Manager Dan and Manager Kim. She wasn't really bothered that the others were listening since this matter wasn't really a secret. Only that, some people didn't really pay attention to this kind of information.

  "Wait…how come you know so much?"

  "I just read it somewhere. Also, I think I'll go home now. I need to look after my father later."

  At the Sugo family's table, Dominic stood up. "I'll get some food first." He broke the momentary silence and walked to the food area. While walking, he didn't let go of the chance to look around. From his father's restless and bashful face, he knew that the woman that his father fancied should be around.

  "Are you looking for your future stepmother?"

  "Oie! Luiz. Don't startle me like that." Dominic exclaimed as he clutched his chest. "I just want to see her in person. I won't be against it but I want to have a feel of what kind of person she is."

  "My sister said that she's a good person. She's really kind-hearted but she may not become your stepmother soon."

  "Why?"

  "I heard that her father who worked in a hospital got into an accident. He's still under coma so…well, it's just my hunch. If she likes your dad, nothing would be able to stop them."

  "Exactly." Luiz replied with firm conviction. "So, where is she right now? My father never showed me her picture but I know she's here."

  "She's leaving."

  "Huh?"

  "Right now. She's leaving and your father is chasing after her. Anyway, I'll let you see her pictures. Give me a sec."

  On a different table, Marian and Veronica was watching silently and from time to time, when people approached their table and conversed with them, she'd also say some words. However, something really bugged her. Seiji is a well-known businessman and he has a lot of connections but right now, he didn't even approach anyone. He was just sitting there beside her. Another thing was, she remembered Arthur to be so close to Cayenne's brothers but now, he didn't even dare talk to them. She felt that something was wrong with them.

  "Look, I can understand that Seiji might be feeling awkward after the kidnapping incident so, he's not so worked up as to talk to other people. But Arthur, you used to be so close to Cayenne's brothers. Why are you not talking to them ever since we arrived here? I didn't see you greet them. Is there something that I know nothing about?"

  Arthur looked towards Seiji and then looked towards Cayenne and the other guests. "It's not something like that." Arthur tired to deny Marian's doubts. "I just feel a little shy. Before, I am the one who's rich and now, my family already belongs to the average class. I feel embarrassed associating myself with her."

  "Is that so? Then, why do I feel that…" she leaned closer and stole a glance at Jade. "…that little girl looks at you with so much hatred."

  "That is just your imagination."

  "I'm not. Look at her." Marian urged him but Arthur didn't want to. "Just steal a glance and you would know I am not imagining things. Or have you offended that little girl without knowing?"

  "I don't really know."

  Marian dismissed her doubts and just smiled towards Jade who kept looking at Arthur with hatred. When she smiled, Jade smiled back at her. 'This guy, he must have offended this little girl without knowing……' Among all the guests, Marian was probably the only one who had no idea of what Arthur did in the past – that he threatened Stefan and almost kidnapped Cayenne.