Chapter 144 Birthday Banquet

Scott glanced at WhatsApp, only to receive a message saying, “I don’t care who you are. Stop saying strange things.”

Scott was slightly taken aback and looked at his assistant in confusion. “Miss Olsen’s tone is a bit weird. I don’t she’ll give me her parasol.”

The assistant replied, “Maybe it’s because you two aren’t very familiar with each other yet, Boss. You could send Miss Olsen more messages, and it’ll be better when you’re more acquainted.”

Scott thought for a moment. “What should I write?”

The assistant suggested, “You could talk about everyday stuff, things like what happens around you or how you feel about things.”

Scott appeared contemplative.

The car exited the garage, and Scott turned his head, suddenly spotting a pile of dog poop on the ground. He frowned slightly, took out his phone, and continued messaging Keira.

…

Lewis left that Bentley for Keira, and she didn’t hesitate to get in.

On the way back to the Horton mansion, her phone vibrated again. She picked it up and was surprised to find another message from Scott on WhatsApp. “I just saw a pile of dog poop in the garage, totally blew my mind!”

Keira was dumbfounded.

Her mouth twitched, and she thought this guy must have some serious issues.

With a smirk, she replied, “I suggest you go and see a neurologist.”

The car soon returned to the Horton estate.

In the afternoon, Melissa and Isla got the whole Horton family busy.

Old Mrs. Horton was 86 years old this year, and the doctors had declared she only had a few months left. Everyone knew there would be no birthday like this next year, so they made it a grand affair.

Even from old Mrs. Horton’s courtyard, one could hear the commotion from the main house.

Almost every one of the more than a hundred people in the Horton residence was bustling about.

By the night after next, probably every notable figure in Oceanion would be there. A lot of ingredients needed to be prepared, and nonperishable items were already being brought in by the truckload.

Old Mrs. Horton grimaced. “They’re making such a big fuss over a banquet. It’d be better to show me a bit more respect. Lewis will worry about me less!”

Keira just laughed. “Maybe everyone shows respect in their own way.”

Old Mrs. Horton took her hand. “Granddaughter-in-law, do you know what I want the most for my birthday gift?”

Keira paused, then answered, “Tell me. As long as I can do it, I promise I’ll get it for you.”

After that, realizing what old Mrs. Horton was about to say, Keira quickly interjected. “But it can’t be a great-grandson. With just two days’ notice, I can’t produce one for you!”

Old Mrs. Horton laughed. “It’s alright if there’s no great-grandson. You see, I actually just want you to stay by that brat’s side. Can you promise me that if I’m gone, you won’t let him be too lonely by himself?”

Keira was stunned.

During her time with the Horton family, she had begun to understand something.

The old master of the Horton family was indifferent toward Lewis, probably because Lewis’s mother’s divorce years ago made him view Lewis as a disgrace.

He was especially biased toward the first branch of the family, treating them like close relatives.

Lewis currently held 51% of the Horton Group’s shares because he was holding old Mrs. Horton’s shares in trust. If anything happened to old Mrs. Horton and her shares were inherited by her children and grandchildren, Lewis’s stake in Horton Group would decrease, and the first branch would look for an opportunity to attack…

Lewis was so outstanding, yet he was always guarded against by his biological father, plotted against by his elder brother, and abandoned by his biological mother when he was only seven months old.

In this family, aside from his grandmother, he truly had no one else to care about.

Keira suddenly felt a pang of pity for him.

She looked at old Mrs. Horton. The old lady’s eyes were clear and bright at that moment. Her face was etched with the marks of time, and her eyes were filled with tenderness and helplessness.

It was as if she was saying that she wanted to accompany Lewis for a few more years, but fate wasn’t on her side…

Keira felt a pang in her heart and nodded vigorously. “Okay.”

Old Mrs. Horton then smiled. “I’m glad. The brat told me that at this banquet, your identities will be made public! My granddaughter-in-law, you’ll finally stand rightfully by his side. I’d like to see who dares to gossip then!”

Only then did Keira understand why Isla had said that Lewis’s wife would be present at the birthday banquet; it was something Lewis and old Mrs. Horton had announced to the public.

She couldn’t help but feel amused. “Okay!”

Just as they finished their chat, the sound of footsteps approached. Isla, leading a group of people, walked in mightily. “Great-grandma, Melissa asked me to select a gown for you to wear that day. What do you think?”

Old Mrs. Horton waved her hand dismissively. “What I wear doesn’t really matter; it’s all about my granddaughter-in-law!”

She merrily took Keira’s hand, and together they looked through a bunch of gowns, finally settling on a light blue one. “This color complements your skin tone. Others wouldn’t look as good in it as you do!”

Seeing her enthusiasm, Keira nodded. “Okay.”

A dark light flickered in Isla’s eyes as she watched the two of them.

But she said nothing and watched them select the dress. She then led the people away.

Halfway through, Isla suddenly stopped. She turned back to look at the gowns and finally picked out one similar in style to Keira’s light blue dress. Smiling sweetly, she said, “I’ll keep this one as well.”

“Yes.”

The brand manager responded respectfully.

The nanny beside Isla couldn’t help asking, “Ma’am, why keep this dress? Do you plan to wear it yourself?”

Isla gave her a glare. “How could that be possible?”

Why would she wear that dress? To compete with Keira for attention?

The thought had barely crossed her mind when Isla tightened her fists.

From a young age, she knew she couldn’t compare to Keira’s beauty.

Keira was tall and stunningly pretty while Isla, more resembling Taylor, looked good if dressed up, but otherwise was quite average.

That was why, in the Olsen family, she never allowed Keira to wear gowns.

So why would she put herself up for comparison now?

Keeping the dress was only for…

The corners of Isla’s mouth curled up. “My aunt has returned to the country and will be home that day. I suppose she hasn’t prepared any gowns, so I’m helping her get one ready.”

What was the simplest way to pit two women against each other? Obviously, a dress clash!

Her legendary aunt had never shown her face, and she definitely wouldn’t want to be overshadowed by Lewis’s lover, would she?

By then, Isla wouldn’t need to instigate anything. Her aunt would confront Keira directly!

A look of satisfaction appeared in Isla’s eyes.

She quickly returned to the main house.

In the evening, when Jake got home from work, he started changing clothes and looked at her. “How are the preparations for the banquet going?”

Isla smiled. “Don’t worry, everything is ready. Keira’s reputation will be ruined, and she won’t be able to save face!”

Jake nodded.

Soon, two days passed by.

The time for old Mrs. Horton’s birthday banquet had finally arrived!