Chapter 44
With a calm, measured voice, Thurman worked to diffuse the tension. “It’s good you’re here, Seren. Now the whole family can head inside together p>
At a glance, Thurman immediately recognized the man standing beside Seren- Lennon.
Years of experience in the business world had honed Thurman’s instincts; it took only a moment to sense that Seren and Lennon shared an unusually close bond.
He hadn’t been pleased when Seren had insisted on being with Sheridan before. Marriages among their circles were, after all, strategic alliances-strength marrying strength. The Powers family lived hundreds of miles away, with no business dealings or interests overlapping with the Bradleys. A match like that would do nothing to further the family’s fortunes.
But now, seeing Seren with Lennon, Thurman felt she had finally come to her senses.
Zena, who had been quietly critical, followed Thurman’s gaze and caught sight of Lennon. Her expression faltered, and she fell silent.
Carla, ever perceptive, immediately sensed something had shifted. She looked up, puzzled. Until now, her attention had been fixed solely on Seren, watching her every move, and she hadn’t noticed the man at her side.
Now, seeing him for the first time, Carla froze.
The man was striking, his presence impossible to ignore. He wore a light gray tailored suit, exuding understated elegance and quiet confidence. Even without speaking, simply standing there, he commanded the room-handsome, poised, and unmistakably set apart from the crowd.
Lennon may have been the golden child of the Crestwell family, but he’d always kept a low profile, never once appearing at public events.
Naturally, Carla hadn’t recognized him. But the mocking smile faded from her lips, her expression turning serious.
All these years, she’d assumed the man Seren had chased after so desperately was nothing special, someone entirely forgettable. She never imagined he would be so remarkable at first glance.
And clearly, both Zena and Thurman now seemed to approve of him. Otherwise, they would not have treated him with such genuine respect and courtesy.
If it had been just Zena’s invitation, Seren would have ignored her completely and gone upstairs without a second thought. They’d made it clear she wasn’t welcome; she felt no desire to force a connection.
But with Thurman’s gesture, leaving immediately would seem rude.
Seren instinctively turned her head, glancing up at Lennon with a questioning look.
Their eyes met.
Lennon’s gaze was gentle. “It’s your call. I’ll go wherever you want p>
Seren nodded. “Alright, let’s go in, then p>
She had always believed in treating others as they treated her. Since Thurman had spoken kindly and invited her in, she could accept out of gourtesy, even if only for appearances’ sake.
Of course, she still intended to keep her visit brief and purely formal.
Together, the group stepped into the reception hall.
Seren and Lennon walked side by side at the rear.
As the buzz of conversation swelled around them, Seren instinctively slipped her hand from Lennon’s. She disliked public displays of affection, even with her partner-especially front of a crowd for her such gestures felt uncomfortably ostentatious.
Lennon said nothing, simply falling into step beside her, matching her pace. Tonight was supposed to be Carla’s big moment. Yet as soon as Lennon entered the room, all eyes shifted to him, overshadowing the guest of honor in an instant.
Nobody spared Carla a second glance; the guests stared in shock, murmuring excitedly among themselves.
“Is that… Lennon p>
“You mean Lennon Crestwell? The heir to the Crestwell fortune the richest family in Seaside City? My God, am I seeing things p>
“How did the Bradleys manage to pull off inviting someone like him? That’s some serious connections p>
“Isn’t Lennon notoriously private?
I’ve heard he’s turned down
countless invitations to events like this everyone wants to get close to him, but he never accepts.
The guests’ focus quickly shifted to Seren, who was walking beside Lennon.
“That’s Seren Bradley, right? Looks like she and Lennon are pretty close p>
“Walking together like that they must have a strong relationship p>
“No doubt about it. Lennon must be here for Seren. Otherwise, he’d never show up p>
Carla’s expression darkened, just a flicker, as she absorbed the whispers echoing through the room.