After swallowing hard, Sebastian immediately pointed his index finger at the dish table.
“I forget. I have something to discuss with Amber. So, excuse me. We’ll talk again some other time,” he said hastily.
Without waiting for a response, the man went towards the woman he had mentioned. The change in his attitude succeeded in making Max raise an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with him?”
Before the host had time to find an answer, his attention was distracted by the approaching guest. The suspicion of Sebastian’s panic suddenly faded.
“Good evening, Mr. Evans, and happy birthday, Mrs. Evans,” the guest greeted with a big smile.
“Thank you, Rose. I really didn’t think you could attend. Didn’t you say you have started the new job?” Gabriella said warmly.
“It is true. But I am lucky because the new employer is also kind. She even wants to come to this event,” the girl explained, making the questioner furrow her brows.
A second later, Gabriella’s gaze shifted to the figure of a beautiful woman beside Rose. In just an instant, the corners of her lips lifted lightly.
“Miss Camilla,” Gabriella greeted as she had recognized the face before her, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Happy birthday, Mrs. Evans. Forgive me for daring to come here without an invitation,” the woman said with a sweet smile.
“I should be the one apologizing for forgetting to invite you. I’m sorry that I didn’t keep your contact at that time,” Gabriella said before wrapping her hands around the arm of the man beside her. “Now, while you are here, let me introduce my husband.”
Seeing the handsomeness in front of her, the curve of the woman’s lips suddenly curled.
“Camilla,” she said gracefully as she shook the man’s hand.
“Max,” the host replied curtly.
A second later, Camilla laughed while covering her mouth. “There is no doubt. The Evans family does have a fantastic face,” the guest said as if she was shy.
Receiving such a compliment from a stranger, Max’s expression suddenly stiffened. Confused how to respond, he finally turned to his wife.
“She’s a friend of Rose’s who helped me give Sebastian a lesson,” Gabriella whispered to dispel all the confusion.
“Oh,” Max sighed before nodding faintly and returning his gaze to the guest. He finally understood why Sebastian suddenly panicked and left. “I have heard of your kindness. Thank you for helping my wife, Miss.”
Once again, the laughter sounded crisp. “No problem, Sir. I actually enjoy doing it.”
“So, Rose is now working at Miss Camilla’s house?” Gabriella concluded, opening the conversation.
“Yes. Now, I am in the same position as Auntie, Madam,” Rose explained with a bright smile.
Seeing the joy that was so thick, Gabriella’s lips turned into a beautiful curve. “I’m glad you got a very kind master.”
“What do you mean with the master, Madam? Rose and I have been friends for a long time. I just gave her the opportunity and responsibility,” Camilla said, patting the girl on the shoulder.
Then, without giving the other person a chance to reply, the uninvited guest raised a finger. “Ah, yes, I have something to give. I hope it fits. I never misjudge the size.”
After a while, a lacy box was in Gabriella’s hand. With eyes filled with confusion, the woman said, “Thank you, Miss.”
“I’m sure Mr. Max will like this,” Camilla whispered as she poked at the box.
Receiving such a hint, Gabriella was having a hard time guessing. Otherwise, the man immediately lowered his head to hide the joy. He didn’t think that a woman like Camilla would still understand men’s preferences.
“Apparently, Mr. Evans has guessed right. Now, how about we give the hosts a chance to welcome another guest, Rose? Mr. Evans is secretly impatiently waiting for the party to end.”
Understanding what her employer meant, the girl complied. With a smile on her face, she turned to accompany Camilla to see Sebastian.
“What’s in this box, Max?” Gabriella sighed, tilting her head.
Suddenly, the man put his lips to the woman’s ear. “Something to level up the invitation for the Little Prince.”
In just an instant, Gabriella gasped. With round eyes, she muttered, “How could it be?”
Feeling exasperated, Max suddenly stroked the woman’s cheek. “Don’t be so innocent, Gaby.”
“I’m not innocent,” Gabriella denied with pursed lips. “I have turned twenty since two years ago.”
“Then, why can’t you guess? Even the former servant who is younger than you, knows right away,” Max teased with a crooked smile.
Feeling her cheeks warm, Gabriella grimaced, pretending to be annoyed.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Evans,” someone managed to steal the attention of the couple who were arguing.
Seeing Mia coming side by side with Julian, the hosts looked at each other in unison. The joke about Gabriella’s innocence was forced to end, replaced by a secret mission that must be carried out immediately.
“Looks like there will be a new Mrs. Evans soon, Gaby. Do you mind sharing the call?” Max asked as if mockingly.
“Of course not,” Gabriella said with a meaningful smile. “I heard, she is a kind and intelligent girl.”
“What are you talking about? Is Mr. Max planning to have a second wife?”
Hearing the secretary’s reply, Gabriella’s brows twitched. “We’re talking about Julian’s future wife, Mia,” she clarified.
“Right. How could you accuse that I want another woman? My wife is perfect and I only need her,” Max said in an annoyed tone. He really didn’t understand why the secretary could say the impossible.
Instead of feeling offended, the girl turned to the man beside her. “I didn’t know you have found a substitute for Miss Amber, Sir. Who is that girl? Do I know her?”
Getting a very ridiculous response, Julian spontaneously grimaced. In his heart, he wondered how long Mia would keep avoiding him.
After a moment of silence, the slightly pale man finally sighed. A second later, his voice turned louder. “Quickly give the gifts we prepared. That’s the main purpose of us coming here, not gossiping.”
“Okay,” Mia said, completely carefree. A moment later, the girl took out two pieces of paper from her bag. “This is the most suitable gift for you, Madam.”
With furrowed brows, Gabriella studied the writing. “Martial class registration form? You enrolled us in this class?” the woman wide-eyed asked.
“Yes. I also signed up with Mr. Julian. We can practice together later,” Mia nodded with a small curve of her lips.
“But, is Max and Julian’s condition possible?”
After a blink, the secretary shook her head. “No problem at all. While waiting for the two of them to recover, we can train first.”
“But, Gaby and I are planning to invite the Little Prince,” Max said, suddenly forcing Gabriella’s hand to cover his mouth.
“Thank you, Mia. This is a very valuable gift,” Gabriella said with a wide smile.
A second later, Max lowered his wife’s palm from his face. “But you can’t take that class if you’re pregnant, Gaby,” he whispered worriedly.
“But I’m not pregnant yet,” the woman replied in an equally low voice. “I will stop attending classes when the Little Prince sends the arrival signal.”
“But I was planning to invite him tonight.”
Suddenly, Julian cleared his throat. “Your membership is valid for life. So, Gabriella can take classes after your Little Prince is born. Isn’t that right, Mia?”
“That’s right, Sir.”
Knowing that others understood what was being said about the Little Prince, Gabriella suddenly grimaced. “Okay. Thank you, Mia, Julian,” she said with a stiff curve of the lips.
Without giving an answer, the CEO and secretary nodded simultaneously.
“By the way, are you ready to meet Dad? He will arrive soon,” Max said, opening a new topic.
In just an instant, the expression on his brother’s face turned tense. After one firm blink, he tilted his head. “Shouldn’t we sing a song for Gabriella first? And also blow out the candles?”
“That can be done at the end of the party, Julian. The real agenda for tonight is to make peace in the Evans family,” the woman said in a tactful tone.
Realizing the great support from his sister-in-law, Julian urged the corners of his lips to lift higher. “Thank you, Gabriella.”
“You sound really cool, Gaby. Julian has bowed to you,” Max whispered teasingly.
While Gabriella made a small snort, Mia kept her eyes on the entrance. “I think now is the time to create that peace. Your father has come,” the secretary said slowly.
As soon as Julian checked in the same direction, his hands automatically clenched into fists. The normal heart was beating wildly.
“I hope, I won’t be humiliated tonight,” the man thought as he swallowed hard. His eyes swiftly scanned the room, estimating the number of people who would witness his bravery. “Max is really good at picking the moment.”