Chapter 305

The grand birthday celebration for two high society ladies was finally here.

The night before, Seraphina couldn't sleep, her mind racing with visions of outshining everyone at the party. She chuckled to herself, imagining the looks on their faces.

She had even instructed her staff to compile clips from her acting career and some scandalous photos from her modeling days, planning to loop them at the party to impress the guests.

But the next morning, Seraphina looked like a wreck—bloodshot eyes, dark circles so deep they could touch the floor. Without makeup, she resembled a ghost from a horror flick.

Age was cruel. She used to stay flawless even after three sleepless nights of filming. Now, one restless night left her looking haggard. "Call my beautician! Emergency treatment! Now!" she shrieked, pacing the room in a frenzy.

In her rage, she shattered an expensive vase.

Her husband, Nathaniel, remained blissfully unaware of her tantrum.

The servants outside the door trembled before scrambling to make the call.

Seraphina glared at her reflection, fury burning inside her.

Tonight, she was sharing the spotlight with Vivienne—a silent competition.

Even though she hadn't seen Vivienne in years, and even though she now held the title of Nathaniel's wife, she was still nervous. Vivienne had once been the nation's sweetheart, every man's fantasy. Seraphina feared she wouldn't measure up.

"Mom! Mom!"

Amelia burst in, startled by Seraphina's appearance.

"What now? Stop making a scene!" Seraphina snapped.

"I just called Grandpa again. He still won’t be coming to your party."

"So what? I never expected that old man to show up anyway. His absence is a blessing—who wants his musty presence ruining the atmosphere?" Seraphina scoffed, not bothering to hide her disdain.

"But—but he also told me," Amelia swallowed hard, "he and Adrian are going to the Ashbourne family’s party instead."

"What?!" Seraphina's eyes blazed with fury.

"He said Chairman Reginald and Evadne video-called him last night. They had such a great chat that he decided to visit Reginald for old times' sake and share a drink."

"Damn it!"

Seraphina's chest heaved as she swept everything off her vanity.

"Mom! What do we do? If people find out Adrian and Grandpa are at the Ashbournes' instead of yours, it'll be humiliating!"

Amelia had been seething ever since Seraphina supported Cassandra and Harrison’s relationship. Now, she seized the chance to twist the knife. "They never accepted you as the true lady of the Kingsley family. They think attending your party would be beneath them!"

"Enough! Shut up!" Seraphina could barely breathe, her blood pressure skyrocketing.

"Mom! What’s the plan?" Amelia pretended to fret, though inwardly, she was gloating.

"It doesn’t matter. That old man is just trying to provoke me. If I let this ruin my night, I’d be playing right into his hands."

Seraphina sat on the couch, starting her breathing exercises. "One day, he’ll retire. My husband is his only son. Everything will be Nathaniel’s. I couldn’t care less about that old fool. I’ll outlive him."

At exactly six in the evening.

A line of sleek black luxury cars pulled up outside the mansion. Nathaniel and Seraphina, along with their two daughters, stepped into a limo flanked by bodyguards, heading toward the Kingsley Hotel in grand procession.

Nathaniel stared blankly out the window, indifferent even though it was his wife’s birthday.

The Kingsley sisters sat across from their parents. Cassandra, as usual, hunched over, clutching the teddy bear Evadne had given her—her only comfort. Amelia, dressed in an expensive Maison de Valois suit, sat beside her, treating her like a servant in front of Nathaniel.

"Oh, sweet Cassandra, it’s Mommy’s big day. Why didn’t you dress up?"

Amelia wore a saccharine smile, feigning concern. "Don’t you know how to style yourself? You should’ve told me. I could’ve helped."

Cassandra stayed silent.

"Remember that hairstyle I did for you last time? It looked so good. I could’ve done it again today." Amelia barely concealed her amusement.

Then—smack!

Cassandra shoved Amelia away with surprising force.

Nathaniel and Seraphina froze. They had never seen their younger daughter lose her temper before.

"Cassandra! That hurt! What’s wrong with you?" Amelia played the victim.

"I never asked for your help. You always force me."

Cassandra hugged her teddy bear, tears welling in her eyes. For once, she found the courage to stand up to her sister.

Nathaniel turned to Amelia, frowning.

"What did you just say?" Amelia’s eyes widened in shock.

"And I hate that crew cut. I hate it. Stop making me wear it, okay?" Cassandra gritted her teeth, each word dripping with resentment.

"Amelia, what is your sister talking about?" Nathaniel’s voice was stern.

"Oh, Dad, she’s not normal. You know she says nonsense all the time. I have no idea why she’s saying this—I’m so confused!" Amelia batted her lashes, her voice sickly sweet.

"Nathaniel, is Adrian really going to the Ashbournes’ tonight? He’s not coming here?" Seraphina changed the subject, gripping her husband’s arm.

"I don’t know." Nathaniel frowned.

"I just think it would be better if he came here."

Seraphina adopted a wise tone, softening her voice. "If it were Evadne’s birthday, fine. She’s the Bright family’s darling—maintaining good relations benefits us. But Vivienne? She’s from nothing, and that scandal still follows her. Adrian attending her party will just fuel gossip."

Her gaze darkened. "Besides, Vivienne is just Reginald’s mistress. Calling her his wife is generous. Is our Kingsley Group’s president really going to grovel to someone like that? It’s beneath us."

The word "mistress" made Nathaniel tense, memories of Adrian’s mother flashing in his mind.

"Vivienne wasn’t backed by anyone before. Now she has Reginald. She’s not the same. And if not for that incident years ago, she would’ve soared higher—never fallen into his hands."

Seraphina blinked. "Nathaniel, did I say something wrong?"

"I heard not only Adrian is going. My father is meeting Reginald too."

Nathaniel stared ahead, his tone clipped. "Tonight’s event isn’t just about Vivienne. You’re overlooking Reginald’s presence. If they want to go, let them. I’m too tired for these games."

What just happened? Why the sudden shift?

Seraphina choked back her anger, forcing a laugh.

Meanwhile, Cassandra curled up, drifting off.

Those nights with Harrison had left her exhausted—he was either kissing her or clinging to her, leaving her no time to sleep.

Beside her, Amelia trembled with rage, lips twitching as if she wanted to skin Cassandra alive.

You think you’re untouchable because Harrison backs you? The more you flaunt it, the sooner you’ll fall.

Seraphina’s party was low-key, but she still tipped off the media.

She was born for the spotlight—how could she exist without attention?

Reporters loitered outside the hotel, cameras ready.

When the Kingsleys arrived, Seraphina strutted like the queen she believed herself to be.

The journalists swarmed, snapping photos.

Nathaniel’s smile was tight, but he played the gracious husband beside Seraphina.

"Mr. Kingsley, your wife’s birthday is tonight, and the whole family is here—where’s Mr. Adrian?"

A journalist’s job was to ask the uncomfortable questions.

"Adrian is occupied. He couldn’t make it." Nathaniel brushed it off with a polite smile.

"Today is also Vivienne Ashbourne’s birthday. Mrs. Kingsley, your birthday was supposed to be Wednesday, but you moved it to Sunday. Was that intentional? You two were rivals back in your acting days. Rumor has it there was bad blood. Has that never been resolved?"

Seraphina gasped theatrically, her diamond-ringed hand covering her mouth. "Oh my! I had no idea today was Vivienne’s birthday. What a coincidence!"

She flashed a triumphant smile. "We moved it because our guests were busy Wednesday. We wanted everyone to have time to celebrate with us."

"Guests? You invited many?"

The reporters exchanged glances. "We’ve been here two hours. Haven’t seen anyone arrive."

Seraphina’s smile faltered.

She had invited hundreds—most had RSVP’d weeks ago.

Where were they?

Her nerves frayed, heart pounding like a drum.

"Let’s go inside," Nathaniel muttered.

At the banquet hall doors, the servant pulled them open.

The next second, Nathaniel and Seraphina’s smiles froze.

Especially Seraphina—her face drained of color, lower lip trembling as she fought back a scream.

The grand hall stood eerily empty.

Not a single guest in sight.

Where had they all gone?