Chapter 42
Seren had planned to just grab a quick bite and call it dinner, but when Lennon insisted on taking her out to eat, she set aside her casual plans and sent him her location.
Lennon respected her, and she owed him the same courtesy in return.
Carla’s birthday dinner that year was held at The Grand Seaside Hotel.
This time, the celebration was more extravagant than ever-nearly every prominent family in Seaside City had received an invitation.
Zena and Thurman, Carla’s parents, had poured considerable thought, time, and resources into organizing the event.
They had always favored Carla, and why not? She was bright and graceful, quick- witted in social situations, and had become the very model of a young society woman in Seaside City. Zena and Thurman delighted in showing her off, basking in the reflected glow of her achievements.
And now that Carla had reached the age where marriage was on everyone’s mind, this lavish birthday banquet was, in truth, a matchmaking soirée. Under the guise of a birthday celebration, Zena and Thurman intended to handpick a suitable son-in-law from the city’s elite-someone whose family background, looks, and abilities could match their daughter’s in every way.
By 7 p.m., the hotel’s grand lobby was already filled with guests.
“Mrs. Bradley, you’re truly blessed to have such an accomplished daughter!” one woman gushed.
“Didn’t Carla win first place in both the golf and equestrian tournaments last month? She’s beautiful, smart, and talented-if my own daughter were half as gifted, I’d be thrilled,” another chimed in.
“And she’s so charming and well-spoken, too,” a third added. “My husband keeps saying he’d love for our son to marry Carla. She’s the perfect daughter-in-law p>
“Well, you’ll have to get in line-plenty of people are hoping for that match,” someone else teased, and laughter rippled through the group.
As the guests chatted, Zena entered the hotel arm-in-arm with Thurman. Her
smile was radiant, her posture proud, and her eyes shone with unconcealed pride.
Carla followed right behind, head high in her elegant cocktail dress.
Standing next to Carla, Slater listened to the chorus of praise and felt a swell of emotion. Carla had always been pampered and
ell-behaved. When came net
it
choosing her future husband he was determined to oversee things personally-he would never let Carla end up like Seren or let her suffer even a hint of injustice.
Swain trailed behind, his thoughts elsewhere.
He’d sent a message ages ago, but it was as if it had vanished into thin air-no reply at all. He’d even tried calling, twice, hoping to ask Seren if she’d come, but both calls had gone unanswered.
The guests’ admiration for Carla was loud and constant, but the more Swain listened, the more uneasy he felt.
Out of everyone present, not one person mentioned Seren.
If her name did come up, it was only as the target of sharp tongues and cold ridicule.
Maybe that was why Seren didn’t want to come.
Once, he’d thought this was natural-Carla was simply too exceptional, and
Seren had only herself to blame for her situation.
But after what happened with Slater yesterday, Swain had gone home and thought things over. Over the years it hadn’t alleen Seren’s fault. He and Slater, as her older brothers, shared some of the blame-they really hadn’t paid her enough attention.
After all, Seren had only joined the Bradley family later in life, so their sibling bond
was never as deep as the one they shared with Carla.
Carla noticed Swain lagging behind.
She turned, ready to call him to hurry up, but as she glanced back, she caught sight of a familiar figure stepping out of a black Bentley parked outside the hotel.
Her voice rose with surprise and delight. “My sister’s here, too p>