Ivy and Zachary had barely seen their birth mother a few times when they were children, so they had long forgotten what she looked like. They couldn’t understand why Genevieve appeared so panic-stricken and anxious, her large gown’s skirt in hand as she hurried towards Magnus.
“Mom, have you forgotten the etiquette you taught us?”
Ivy didn’t know what had come over Genevieve as she quickly grabbed her.
“You told us to maintain our poise, especially at such grand occasions, but look at you now!”
At that moment, Genevieve had completely lost her composure. She didn’t understand why that woman was still alive, but she blamed her own departure entirely on her. Was it because of her that Magnus was so cold to her, even going as far as to drive her out of the house? Genevieve was furious.
“Mom, what’s wrong with you? Your expression is scaring us!”
Ivy was very uneasy; Genevieve had never looked like this before.
“Ivy, you’re right, I’ve lost my senses,” Genevieve regained her composure. Regardless of whether that woman had come back from the dead or was just someone who looked like her, she couldn’t just rush over like a shrew.
Not to mention the many people coming and going, such behavior would undoubtedly disgrace the Montgomery family, and Magnus would only despise her more. Genevieve suppressed her emotions and headed straight towards the two people standing there.
Magnus was very happy to hear that Tina would be attending the birthday celebration and had been waiting here early. Seeing her getting out of the car, she radiated an aristocratic aura, dressed elegantly and nobly. The half-veiled hat added a mysterious charm to her face, a face he had thought of during many sleepless nights, never imagining she would appear before him again.
“Tina, thank you for coming to my father’s birthday celebration,” Magnus greeted her considerately.
“Since we’ve already established a partnership, it would be rude not to attend your company chairman’s celebration,” Tina glanced at Magnus’s side, indeed not seeing Genevieve. Had the servant’s words been true, and Genevieve been driven out of the house? Such a despicable woman, even being expelled from the Montgomery family wasn’t enough to atone for her past sins!
“The guests are inside, let me take you in,” Magnus took on the role of host.
“Thank you,” Tina didn’t refuse, as too much aloofness would only raise suspicions. She followed Magnus, noticing his child-like happiness. After all, they had lived as husband and wife for many years, and she could accurately discern his emotions. He seemed like he had found a treasured possession that he had regained.
The joy in his eyes and brows was hard to conceal. Every time Tina saw this expression, her heart was filled with infinite regret. If only she had known this would happen, why did it have to come to this?
Despite her outward coldness, as they walked into the hall, someone suddenly took Magnus’s arm.
“Dear, who is this lady?”
Genevieve was quick on her feet, leaving Magnus no room to refuse.
Magnus frowned at Genevieve, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, his voice cold, “What are you doing here? You have no relation to the Montgomery family anymore.”
Remembering that Tina was still there, he tensed up, “Tina, she has nothing to do with me, we…” He almost instinctively explained to Tina, as if she were still his wife.
Just as before, Genevieve repeatedly intervened between the two, urging Magnus to make a decision. Each time Magnus saw Victoria’s disappointed face, his heart felt as if it were being cut with a knife.
Magnus watched her anxiously, while Genevieve looked on with a declaration of dominion, and Tina, the center of attention, remained entirely composed throughout. It was as if the drama unfolding before her was of no relation to her, “Mr. Montgomery, this is a domestic issue, why explain it to me? This must be Mrs. Montgomery, indeed a noble and generous lady.”
Genevieve’s eyes widened. Not only was this woman not angry, she even complimented her. Her accent had changed as well; could she really not be that person? After all, resurrection was impossible, and she had witnessed the cremation herself.
Yet, this woman posed a significant threat to her. With a face identical to that woman’s, Magnus had never forgotten her over the years, his guilt deepening. Suddenly, with a woman identical to her appearing, it was very likely that Magnus would transfer all his feelings to Tina.
Despite her suspicions, Genevieve kept her composure on the surface, clinging tighter to Magnus and smiling, “Yes, my husband is just that shy.”
“You two seem very much in love, truly enviable. Well, I’ll head up first.”
Tina nodded slightly and began walking towards the hall. Whether it was the height or the thinness of her high heels, she didn’t step firmly on the stairs and accidentally fell.
Seeing the stairs behind her and the distance to the nearest servant who turned pale, “Master!”
“Victoria.”
Without a moment’s thought, purely on instinct, Magnus pushed Genevieve aside and reached out to grab Tina. Years of keeping himself in shape paid off as he managed to pull the stumbling Tina back to safety, whereas Genevieve wasn’t so lucky.
She had been standing perfectly stable, but unexpectedly being pushed by Magnus, wearing the typically sharp and thin heels that come with evening gowns, she lost her balance and tumbled down.
“Ah!”
She screamed as she rolled down the stairs, with Zachary and Ivy shocked and rushing over. Ivy’s dress was too long; she tripped over her hem and fell face forward.
Faster than Zachary was Paul, who reached the last step ahead and stopped Genevieve from rolling any further. Magnus, however, showed no concern for Genevieve, his eyes and heart only on the woman in his arms, “Victoria, are you alright?”
“Mr. Montgomery, I’m Tina, please let go.”
Tina pushed him away and glanced at the disheveled Genevieve, “Your wife seems to need you. You should check on her.”
With that, she lifted her dress and entered the hall. Just then, Aurora and Oswaldo’s car arrived.
Julian, holding her hand, emerged just in time to see the fallen Ivy and Genevieve still lying on the ground.
“What on earth happened here!”
Oswaldo, leaning on his cane, looked furious. Today, all the distinguished guests were present, and this was what they were doing!