No sooner had Christine returned to her hospital room from the law firm than her mother-in-law, Susan Miller called.
"Why aren't you back yet? Mrs. Everett and Mrs. Hunter are coming over for afternoon tea-did you forget? They specifically requested the dessert you made last time. If you don't come, what will they eat?" Susan Miller launched straight into a scolding.
Her daughter-in-law's only redeeming quality was her cooking skills, and now she was even faking illness.
"Stop loafing around in the hospital. It's just a little stomach flu, yet you're acting like you're dying. Hurry back! If Mrs. Everett and the others get upset, I'll tell Neil!"
Christine's lips curled in mockery. "If Mrs. Everett craves dessert so badly, let the servants make it."
Susan always did this-insisting on tormenting her with tasks the servants could easily handle.
Back when she loved her son, Christine had swallowed her pride. But now that she was divorcing him, why the hell should she?
"Christine! I am informing you, not negotiating! You were vomiting so violently last night that I thought you were pregnant. Since you're not, get your ass back here immediately. I'm done listening to your nonsense! Your Woods family went bankrupt ages ago, yet you still think you're some spoiled princess. How pathetic."
Christine's expression remained cold, refusing to offer even a shred of courtesy.
"Then I am informing you now: I intend to divorce your son. Don't bother me with this again. Or would it be more sincere if you cooked for them yourself to curry favor?"
The phone clicked off abruptly.
Susan stood trembling on the balcony, furious. The audacity! That useless daughter-in-law dared to hang up on her.
Divorce?
Ridiculous! If she dared to divorce him, she'd eat that phone.
Turning back into the house, Susan forced a smile. "Mrs. Everett, Mrs. Hunter, I'm terribly sorry about today. Christine is ill. I'll have her make something and deliver it to you personally another day."
Mrs. Everett waved her hand dismissively. "Mrs. Caffrey, you're too polite. Your daughter-in-law might genuinely be ill. She seems like a kind-hearted girl. It'll be just fine to trouble her next time."
Mrs. Hunter chuckled softly. "Exactly. Though Christine can't help you in other ways, she excels at being a dutiful daughter-in-law, doesn't she?"
Susan caught the sting in Mrs. Hunter's words-she was mocking her for marrying into wealth only to face bankruptcy right after the wedding.
She'd endured enough ridicule from the ladies' circle over the past three years.
But there was nothing she could do. Mrs. Hunter's husband was someone she couldn't afford to offend.
Susan forced another smile. "Haha, she's nothing but a jinx. Three years into the marriage, and she still hasn't produced a single egg. If this keeps up, don't blame me for making Neil divorce her!"
Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. Everett exchanged a knowing glance and dropped the subject.
Both women harbored scornful thoughts. Back when the Caffrey family had tried to climb the social ladder by aligning with the Woods family, they had praised Christine to the skies.
"By the way, I heard the Watson family is hosting a private banquet at Sky Castle. The Robinson family will be attending too," Mrs. Hunter said with a smile.
Mrs. Everett perked up. "Really? The Robinson family from Los Angeles?"
Susan's eyes lit up. "Who from the Robinson family is coming?"
She'd recently heard from her husband that the Southern City project wasn't progressing smoothly. If she could connect with the Robinson family, that would be perfect.
Mrs. Hunter observed the eager expressions on both ladies' faces and gave a mysterious smile.
"Edward Robinson."
Hearing this, both women sucked in a sharp breath.
They never imagined the guest would be Edward Robinson.
Edward, the third son of the Robinson family, was the late-in-life child of Mr. Robinson. Among the three sons, he was the most reckless and unconventional.
While the eldest and second sons worked at Vision Group, Edward refused to join the company after returning from overseas. He even declared Vision Group a sunset industry and promptly founded NexGen Tech Group.
Everyone had anticipated Edward's downfall. Yet within just five years, NexGen Tech Group's assets surpassed Vision's. The most influential voice in the Robinson family now belonged to this arrogant son.
Edward was barely thirty. Unmarried, yet his admirers stretched beyond the city limits.
Socialite circles were clamoring to get their hands on this aloof, aristocratic iceberg.
Susan beamed with delight. Her daughter, Sofia, was no longer a child-this opportunity had come at just the right time.
"How delightful! I never imagined Mr. Robinson would visit New York City. I must make preparations."
"Invitations to private banquets aren't so easily obtained," Mrs. Hunter remarked softly, a fleeting sneer crossing her lips.
Susan remained undeterred. Invitations? She'd find a way to secure one.
******
When Gavin and Neil returned home together, Susan couldn't wait to share the news.
Gavin frowned. "I heard Edward is coming too. I had someone check with the Watson family today, but they dodged the question, saying it's a private dinner and outsiders aren't invited."
Susan looked utterly disheartened. "Then what are we supposed to do?"
Gavin stroked his chin. "There's still Christine. Neil, bring Sofia along. You two can go together. I recall Matthew Watson had quite good relations with the Woods family. If you can establish a connection with Edward while you're there, that Southern City project would be settled with just one word from him."
Susan interjected eagerly, "And Sofia! Bring Sofia along too!"
Her Sofia was exceptional. If Edward took a liking to her, the Caffrey family could ascend to even greater heights.
Neil recalled the phone call from that morning. His lips parted, hesitation flickering in his eyes-yet in the end, he agreed.
"Alright."
