Chapter 362: Chapter 362

"You must be imagining things! It’s not as if it’s a digital painting or even a gif; why would a hand-drawn painting move? Did you have too much to drink?" A voice countered this, even though it sounded a tad bit uncertain.

Despite this, Alex was beyond satisfied. The painting was too heartfelt, as was every other gift he had received that night, and Geneva was over the moon. Everything that had happened with her sisters-in-law seemed to have occurred the day before in her mind.

So good was her satisfaction that evening that, Geneva knew, no one would and could disrupt it. However, little did she know that life had a way of sneaking surprises up onto people.

Most importantly, both Geneva and her husband had almost forgotten the adage that life was and would always be filled with ups and downs.

One moment could be filled with happiness, and the other, just as suddenly, filled with immense sorrow or other emotions. That night, although filled with drama, had been satisfying so far, except that there was more to come for the whole Thornston family that night.

Ian stood up and clinked his fork against his wine glass:

"A toast to my father. I hope", bringing the chatter in the room to a standstill.

"Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate another year but to honour the man who has shaped so much of who I am and who we are as a family.

Ian turned towards his dad with a slight upturn of his lips.

Alex shook his head, "that brat is still not giving me any face in front of these strangers and calling me that?" Alex whispered to himself, but all at the table he was, one could see the fondness of his son registered on his face. This made his words seem like he was showing off and not necessarily dissatisfied with how he was being addressed by his eldest son. Ian heard this but did not pause in his toast.

"... you’ve shown me, in ways words can’t quite capture, what it means to live with integrity, purpose, and strength. You taught me the importance of honesty, hard work, and, most importantly, the value of family...."

At this, Ian looked down at Shelby and then at each of the three children. His eyes softened and all could bear witness to how he cherished this family of his. In fact, of all who were gathered around, one could count on one finger on those who actually knew that the three children were not of Ian.

They were all engrossed in how lucky was, to have had three beautiful children already. Even though it was not hard to imagine as he was already in his forties. Sometimes, many of them forgot his age because he could pass for someone in his late twenties, making Alex, look more like his grandfather and not his dad.

"Growing, I often marveled at how you seemed to know everything. No matter what you were engaged in, you could pause to offer advice or simply listen. Now I understand that it wasn’t about knowing everything; rather, it was your deep care for those you loved that motivated you to give fully of yourself. I have no greater role model and no greater privilege than to be your son."

Alex started to tear up. He knew without a doubt that this was Ian’s formal acknowledgement of him as his father. It was very true that Alex had put his all into raising Ian from the start because he wanted to prove himself to Geneva and also because Ian was the son of the woman he loved. There were no two ways about his attitude towards young Ian. In fact, some people even thought that Alex was partial to Ian more than Brad.

"Old man, thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made, the lessons you’ve taught, and the love you’ve given. May this year bring you as much joy, strength, and peace as you’ve brought to all of us. Here’s to a remarkable man, an incredible father, and a truly beloved friend. Ciao!"

Ian raised his glass up high, and a thoughtful chorus rang out from the room,

"Happy birthday, Chairman Thornston!"

"Happy birthday, Chairman Thornston!"

"Happy birthday, Chairman Thornston!"

All glasses raised up towards him, and they downed its contents in one gulp.

After that, the workers cleared the tables, and people began to mingle. A classical group had started to play an incredible melodic sound in the background as well.

"May I have this dance?"

Alex extended his hand towards his wife and Geneva placed her hand in it. The two walked to a wide area right in the middle of the room and leaned towards each other’s embrace, swaying slightly to the sounds. There was no need for words between them; it was a truly satisfying night.

Other couples who had come in also followed suit, and soon, the bare floor was littered with lots of couples dancing. Obviously, Ian did not want Shelby on the dance floor at all! He knew that he had to be prepared to pay the price for this and was doing his best to engage her, luckily for him, the kids were of use at that time.

"Mama, did you see Grandpa’s face when he saw my gift?"

"Of course, I did! I wouldn’t miss it for the world! My little angel is the best!"

Shelby immediately added, "Of course, all my children are!"

She smiled, when she noticed little Ingrid smile at her last comment. Shelby shook her head. Ingrid had opened up so fast to her that she was sometimes not sure what was real and what was not.

".... I know that Mama’s gift was the best, though! I want to be like Mama when I grow up. I want to be able to paint like Mama does!"

Shelby ruffled Gabriel’s head and smiled gently at him. Just then, she heard a comment from Samantha.

"How could just anybody come to Grandpa’s party?"

"What do you mean, Samantha?"

Even Ian turned his head to look at her,

"Mum, see that girl over there. I think .... No, I mean, I know that she has bad intentions towards Uncle Brad. How could she come here?"

Shelby turned to look at the girl in question and asked,

"Isn’t she from your school?"

"Yes, she is! You have no idea what she had said when Uncle Brad had given his gift... he-"

Samantha paused, "Never mind, just look at what she is doing?!"

Shelby turned in that direction again and saw the scene that was making Samantha angry. The supposed girl was trying to press herself into Brad’s embrace while he looked on with indifference.

"You have no idea, mum. My ears were going to fall off with the way she was whining for attention from my uncle. She was like.... ’oh, you look so strong! Do you work out? Can I call you Brad? Your name sounds so sweet.... This soup tastes so good.....’"

Samantha pinched her nose and scrunched up her face, creating a sharp shrill to her voice.

Shelby burst out laughing, and even Ian had a smile on, for they had all heard this supposed conversation. Brad had been a few seats away from her, but Natasha still found ways to talk over people, just to get Brad’s attention.

"She may be of legal age to have a betrothal, but she will never become my aunt!"

"Hahahahahahaaaaa....." Shelby could not help but burst out into laughter.

"You know that your uncle is not a pushover, right? How can someone person take advantage of him?"

"Leave Brad to his own devices. He is more adult than you are and know what he wants to do, but as you said, he is your uncle, so I will not interrupt whatever you do."

Samantha’s eyes shone at that. She got up from her seat and walked purposefully onto the dancefloor. She had a non-alcoholic wine in her hand and sipped it innocently, but it was pretty obvious what she wanted to do.

Her eyes took in the way Natasha was rubbing herself against Brad. The two were of many dancers on the floor, but they were at the edge, which, in this case, was beneficial to Samantha’s childish plan. Ingrid shook her head and sighed, making Ian chuckle. He also watched on with interest, as did Ava and Rocky, who had caught the tail of the mother and daughter conversation.

Just as she approached them, she could hear Natasha’s irritative voice -"My dad said that-"

’Is she trying to be sexy? Maybe she needs more lessons on that!’

Samantha sized up the scene, eyes flashing with mischief as she moved deliberately toward brad and Natasha. With a casual step, she let her foot slide just enough to trip herself, timing it perfectly as her glass tilted, sending a splash of red juice onto the hem of Natasha’s pristine dress.

Gasps sounded around them, but her Brad’s reflexes kicked in—he caught Samantha by the waist just as she stumbled, steadying her before she could hit the floor, to Natasha’s dismay.

A sweetly sarcastic smile curved Samatha’s lips as she looked up at him.

"Uncle Brad," she drawled, her voice flowing as smoothly as the girl’s silk dress.

"You can do better than this... money-grabber, can’t you?" Samatha shot a look of innocent disdain at Natasha, who gasped in shock, her eyes narrowing.

Samantha had not bothered to lower her tone in any way. The room held its breath, but Samantha’s tone, innocent and teasing, layered with her own touch of truth, left Brad struggling to stifle a laugh. All eyes turned to Brad, not that they had been away from him from the beginning. Because Ian seemed off limits, many people had set their eyes on Brad. In fact, Natasha was not his first dance partner that evening.

They all seemed to be waiting for Brad’s reaction, but Samatha simply smirked, her eyes daring anyone to deny what she’d just said, while she held her uncle’s gaze mischievously.

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