Chapter 361: Chapter 361

"As expected of Ava!" Geneva stated proudly as an exquisite platter of food was placed in front of Alex. Geneva was so giddy that one would have thought this ’gift’ was for her. There had been no expectancy as they knew what Ava had been preparing for, but that did not dimmish their expectancy for its revered taste.

"Alex, that looks more like a picture from a cookbook than a real meal. Can we have a tas-"

Alex cast them a pointed look, "Do you think that I would ? It’s m-"

The people around the table started laughing because Geneva had already eaten the first bite of the platter Ava had served.

Geneva closed her eyes to savour the taste, and Alex could only watch helplessly, his glare fading into a doting one for his wife only.

"Happy birthday, Mr Thornston!"

"Thank you, Ava. I don’t know when you even had time to prepare this as you had been out of the estate for a while. You know my preferences the best."

Ava chuckled, knowing that it was just prudent talk as he had specifically requested for this. She bowed and returned to her seat as Alex’s friends looked on, swallowing dryly at the sumptuous platter before Alex.

"Happy birthday, ’Dad’! Since my sister calls you ’Dad’, I have also decided to!"

"Hahahahahhaaaaaa... Rockwell. How have you been?"

Alex looked on fondly at Rocky. He had a particular liking for Shelby’s younger brother, especially for how he held his sister in high regard.

Rocky and Ava had gotten to the dinner, and it was just in time to join them in the grand hall. They had missed all the drama that had gone on outside, but they did have their own fair share of drama along the way.

To ensure their secret was kept, they had gone their separate ways as soon as the two got to the estate. Although with the way that they could not keep their eyes off each other, one wondered how long that secret could be kept.

"I am doing well, Dad. I concocted this bottle of medicine to cleanse your system and to allow you to live a long and healthy life!"

Rocky said, and then he handed a small opaque bottle to the servant closest to Alex, who was to be handed to him.

"You did this yourself?"

"Yes, I did! Even though I am still in training, my skills in this are the best! You can confirm that from our headmaster."

"Hahahahahaaa.... Thank you! Rockwell!"

Rocky smiled, bowed and returned to his seat.

"Old Alex, you are surely blessed to have so many people care about you, but are you sure you want to take this medicine from an unknown source ...."

Alex glared at the man, and he shut up instantly, as did all other concerns others may have had.

Looking on from the other longer table was everyone else. To Ian’s immediate right from the head were Brad, Samantha, Rocky, and Ava, in that order, and the other guests.

As more people walked up to the middle and handed their gifts to the servants on Alex’s behalf, Shelby sat poised in her seat, her gaze sweeping over the glittering array of guests with a serene, commanding confidence.

The lights flickered gently, enveloping her in a warm, regal glow as she raised her hand just slightly—a gesture almost imperceptible to others, yet instantly recognized by her attentive chief maid, Suzie, who had been observing closely from the edge of the room.

At once, Suzie gave a subtle nod, and the door to the grand hall opened with practiced precision. A line of impeccably dressed servers, each in crisp, perfectly tailored uniforms, glided into the room like clockwork.

Moving in synchronized steps, they brought with them the fragrance of the seven-course feast—delicate seafood starters, aromatic soups, glistening meats, and exotic, artfully plated vegetables—all carried on gleaming silver platters. Even with all these, some people still cast fleeting gazes at the Ava’s small gift platter.

As they served, each server moved with quiet grace, presenting each dish as if unveiling a piece of art, the silver cloches lifting in unison to reveal the plates beneath. Guests marvelled as dish after dish appeared before them, the clinking of cutlery and murmurs of approval filling the room.

Geneva and Shelby’s gazes met across the room, and they smiled. Geneva was most satisfied, and her eyes gleamed with pride as she watched the orchestrated masterpiece unfold—a feast, both sumptuous and unforgettable.

Gentle murmurs and polite chitchat surrounded them as they were enjoying this meal. Even though many people still had thoughts on attaining Ian, they dared not. So, only regretful gazes were thrown his way, but none tried to be that obvious.

Ian dedicated his whole time to ensuring Shelby was the only one in his eyes. It was not like he had to try, as she was indeed the only one in his eyes.

After the meal, Brad finally gestured his hand and brought a sizeable, covered board to the front.

This drew curious eyes all around. Brad stood up, and all eyes rested on him briefly before confidently walking up to the covered board. With a gentle smile, Brad pulled off the thin silk covering to reveal a giant family tree painting—an intricate, artfully rendered legacy that stretched back through three generations.

Each branch and leaf were lovingly detailed, with names elegantly inscribed on each limb, from Alex as the head down the line, reaching out like a tapestry of memories and stories.

The family’s crest also used as T-Vino’s marketing log: a dramatic static wine-pouring gesture captured in a still image, stood out at the base, grounding it in the present while honouring the past. Gasps and murmurs of awe swept through the room as the older couple took in the names and dates that symbolized lifetimes and connections with nostalgia.

The most outstanding part of all this was Ian’s name, the only one written in golden, glistening, bold characters, showing that he was the heir. Brad’s message was loud and clear to those who understood.

"Brad loves his brother so much! Look at how much he has put in to affirm his brother’s place!"

"He is a fool! Instead of fighting for the position of heir, he is conceding!" One person said under her breath, clearly annoyed.

Many ears were privy to these words, including, Samantha. She shot a cold glare at the other person, who seemed to be wholly engrossed in Brad and had not seen this.

’Looks like she is no longer hiding her intentions....’ Samantha thought as a plan began to form in her head.

Other mixed conversations went all around, but only the core Thornston members understood Brad’s ’gift’: Ian was the firstborn and heir, and I had nothing to do with him!

Alex chuckled, and Geneva smiled a sad smile. Alex got up from his seat and tapped Brad lightly on the shoulder. The two understood what that meant, and there was no need for words.

Ian rolled his eyes and gestured to Currey, who placed an exquisite box before Alex just as he retook his seat.

Alex opened it to reveal an engraved watch. It was nothing sentimental per se, but Alex was more surprised because Ian then knew of his lineage and the fact that he was not his biological son. A warm, surprised smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up as he traced the intricate design on its back.

"This birthday is by far the most memorable,"

Geneva nodded on the side, thinking, ’Every gift has been so thoughtful, each reminding us of their love and respect for us."

But as Alex clasped the watch in his hand, an unknowing, quiet anticipation crept within him. His gaze shifted expectantly across the room, searching for his daughter-in-law, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

Shelby had yet to give hers. For reasons Alex couldn’t quite explain, Shelby’s gift, even though yet to be received, held a special allure. Maybe it was the thoughtfulness she’d always shown or perhaps a quiet hunch that her gift would hold something unexpected, something deeply meaningful.

Alex turned to Ian to express his gratitude but found his son’s eyes glued to Shelby’s. Alex sighed.

Unknowingly, most of the guests started to look towards Shelby as all family members had gifted in public, but she. The thoughts were similar, ’Is she going to gift something?’

’Can she even gift anything?’

As if on cue, Murray brought up the much-anticipated ’gift’.

He carried a large board in as all looked on.

Anticipation hung heavily in the air, with guests exchanging skeptical glances filled with tension. They waited with bated breath, their curiosity piqued, almost wishing to see Ian’s new wife falter. Even though Murray hadn’t spoken, they sensed that what he held came from Shelby.

Deep inside them, it felt off—her, the daughter of a criminal, standing next to him—the one man everyone admired and longed for, not to mention presenting a gift to the ex-chairman. They exchanged whispers, pondering what qualifications she could possibly have to offer something even remotely valuable. It seemed ridiculous, and their faces told a story of simmering envy and disdain.

But as the gold silk cloth fell away to reveal the gift, a collective gasp filled the room. A family portrait! —Every detail rendered with breathtaking precision and emotion—left them wide-eyed, each face drained of colour as if struck by an invisible hand.

A disbelieving silence fell over them, but their expressions spoke volumes: a shock so deep it twisted their features, their envy now tainted with confusion and reluctant awe. It was a family group portrait that complemented Brad’s family tree perfectly: one had the names and the other, the impressions!

"Chairman Alex, this is from Md, Shelby. She hand drew this ...."

Murray continued recounting the time, patience, and skill that had gone into creating the portrait; disbelief flickered in every gaze in the room, except for a few who had witnessed Shelby in action.

This couldn’t be true. She had drawn this? Every stroke seemed imbued with an understanding of family ties that ran far deeper than her past—a truth they weren’t ready to accept.

The weight of it left them speechless, their jealousy replaced by a stunned reverence, as they stood, transfixed by the portrait’s beauty, each word of the assistant’s explanation reinforcing a reality they struggled to comprehend.

Someone whispered, "Did the figure in the painting just blink?"

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