At the Alvarez family gathering, Julian was preceded by his older brother, Hayden, and Susan, both holding wine glasses to toast to the couple.
“Here, this is for you,” they each said, presenting a gift box. After Hayden finished his toast, he prepared to leave, prompting Julian to scoff, “My dear nephew, your uncle is right here.”
“Mr. Barnet, haven’t you already severed ties with the Alvarez family? Since you’re not a member of the Alvarez family, it seems I shouldn’t be toasting to you,” Hayden interjected, as if anticipating Julian’s intent.
“You’re exactly right, it’s just that your grandfather just mentioned that the blood of the Alvarez family runs through my veins,” Julian replied indifferently, revealing his main reason for attending the event.
The real drama was just beginning, and Julian wouldn’t dream of missing it.
“Grandfather, Mr. Barnet himself has said he has no relation to the Alvarez family, so I think this toast should not be given,” Hayden said, looking towards Joaquin.
Joaquin, however, still wanted Julian back. This son was both loved and despised by him; despite his deep affection for Julian, his son naturally had a rebellious streak, always opposing him.
“It was merely a moment of anger. How could you take it seriously? Unless he legally disowns me, you should toast to him,” Joaquin insisted.
Julian knew Joaquin’s character well; Joaquin would never admit there was no relationship with the Alvarez family. In fact, with just a slight nod, Joaquin would side with him. However, due to issues with his mother, Julian harbored resentment towards Joaquin, with more hatred than love, making it impossible for him to yield.
“Yes, Grandfather. Bring me another glass of wine,” Hayden reluctantly agreed, not daring to contradict Joaquin’s wishes. He knew that once the day was over, Joaquin would formally transfer the shares to his name, and any loss today could be reclaimed later.
“Hold on,” Julian interjected.
“Uncle Julian, what more do you want?”
Hayden asked with visible irritation.
“Isn’t your Aunt Aurora here too?”
Julian glanced at Aurora nearby.
“Uncle Julian, as far as I know, you two aren’t married yet. So, I’d rather wait until you’re married before toasting Aurora,” Hayden could hardly imagine himself toasting in front of Aurora. It would be even more unthinkable for Susan; she would probably go mad!
“Although we’re not yet married, we are engaged, and marriage is just a ceremony, Mr. Alvarez, don’t you think?”
Julian knew Joaquin’s Achilles’ heel was his own words. Whatever Joaquin said would be most effective, and Joaquin knew Julian’s intentions well; not following them would only push Julian further away.
Julian was indeed his weak spot, so Joaquin complied, “Since they’re engaged, Aurora is practically my daughter-in-law!”
Julian was clever in this move, not only to suppress Hayden but also to force Joaquin to acknowledge Aurora, making it harder for him to trouble her in the future.
“Fine, Grandfather,” Hayden gritted his teeth; Julian was truly ruthless!
Susan’s face changed color, “I won’t toast to her, I’d rather die than toast to her!”
“Is that so? You don’t have to toast if you don’t want to,” Julian stated lightly.
Susan still thought such good things were possible.
“Really?”
she asked.
“Of course, just pretend nothing happened tonight and you can skip it,” Julian said, finding Susan’s Achilles’ heel as her expression went through a tumult of change.
“It’s just a toast, it won’t kill you,” Hayden said, knowing he couldn’t avoid it without angering Joaquin.
As long as the shares were not in his hands, anything could change, no matter what humiliations he suffered today, he had to continue.
Susan held her drink, her face a picture of grievance.
Aurora watched the woman before her quietly. When she had taken Hayden from her years ago, she probably never expected this day to come.
With resolve, Hayden stood in front of Julian.
“Uncle Julian, please.”
Julian had always been the man Hayden disliked most. No matter how hard he tried, Mr. Alvarez only ever favored Julian, who seemed to solve difficult problems with ease. He was the man Hayden had always wanted to surpass but never could.
Julian didn’t take the drink, just looked at Susan indifferently.
“It seems your wife doesn’t want to toast. Never mind, we don’t need to drink this.”
“Hurry up,” Hayden glared coldly at Susan, who had never faced such humiliation before.
“Aunt Aurora…”
Aurora looked down at her, and Susan’s eyes brimmed with tears that soon fell into her glass, rippling the calm surface.
“I never thought joining the Alvarez family would upset you so much,” Julian scoffed.
“Our guests might think this is a funeral.”
Crying yet trying to smile, Susan said, “Let me toast you, Uncle Julian.”
“How can I drink from a glass with tears in it? Get another one,” Julian said emotionlessly, a pickiness Aurora had never seen in him before.
If she knew that last night had all been orchestrated by Susan, Aurora would not be sitting so calmly now.
Mrs. Simmons, feeling very sorry for her daughter, tried to intervene but was held back by Mr. Simmons.
“She’s married now; she has to follow their rules. We can’t give others a reason to gossip.”
Her parents could only watch as their daughter waited for a new drink to be brought.
Holding back tears, Susan took the new drink, careful not to let her tears fall into it again.
“Aunt Aurora, please…”
Susan offered the drink respectfully to Aurora.
Julian and Aurora finally took their drinks, sipped a little just for the sake of appearance, and Julian handed out a gift box.
Aurora stared wide-eyed at the gift box in his hands, clearly a premeditated act, but it also fulfilled his earlier words.
He had said he would make Hayden and Susan call her Aunt Aurora, and his words always came true.
The couple then rose. Hayden glanced at Susan, her makeup smeared by tears.
“Take her to touch up her makeup.”
“Yes,” Susan’s assistant quickly took her away. Today’s wedding was the most humiliating day of Susan’s life, and she never felt more disgraced. Yet, she didn’t know that this was just the beginning of a nightmare.