Neil's face flushed red, then drained white as he watched that swaying, graceful figure enter the club alone.
Since the company went public, he hadn't been humiliated like this in ages. And the one delivering the blow was his own beloved wife-it felt like a direct hit to his pride.
Sofia panicked as well-she couldn't possibly be shut out today. She knew she would become the laughingstock of their circle within twenty-four hours.
"Neil, Sofia, you're here too?"
Vivian, dressed in a pure white gown, approached with light steps and naturally slipped her arm through his.
Neil paused for two seconds. "Vivian, what are you doing here?"
He was genuinely delighted by Vivian's return. Yesterday, when his friends teased him into joining their plans, he hadn't refused. For a fleeting moment, he'd felt transported back to those beautiful college days when he first met Vivian.
But Neil was no longer the man he had been six years ago. Instinctively, he shifted half a step away, leaving Vivian's hand hanging in the air.
Vivian's fingernails dug into her palm as a flicker of surprise crossed her face, yet she still managed a faint smile. "My mom brought me here."
"Neil, are you waiting for. your wife?"
"Of course not! Who in their right mind would wait for her?" Sofia chimed in. "Vivian, my brother and I left our invitations at home. Could you take us inside?"
She blinked expectantly at Vivian.
Vivian stiffened, offering a sheepish smile. "I suppose so."
Neil felt utterly humiliated today. Even if he went inside, he would have no face left, so he made up an excuse. "I have some business to attend to at the office. Vivian, please take Yuxi inside first. I'll come pick you both up once I'm done."
Vivian flashed a sweet smile. "Sure thing, Neil. Sofia and I will wait for you."
She agreed readily, seemingly forgetting whether she actually had the authority to bring an extra person inside.
The man who had been seething with anger moments ago was suddenly calmed by the girl's gentle, obedient demeanor, soothing his agitated heart.
This was more like it. If even Vivian showed such obvious affection for him, how could Christine not love him?
It was just one night of socializing. His wife's temper was far too hot.
Neil curved his lips. "Thanks, Vivian. You're still so kind."
After he left, Sofia excitedly linked arms with Vivian. "Vivian, you're so kind. If only my brother had married you instead-then I could stick to you like glue every day!"
Vivian smiled faintly. "Don't say that. Christine. wouldn't be happy if she heard it."
"Pfft, who cares if she's upset?" Sofia gritted her teeth. "She'll see! When we get home tonight, I'm going to have Mom give her a piece of her mind!"
Sofia dragged Vivian back to the waiter who had stopped them twice. "Hmph. Can we go in now?"
The waiter maintained his professional smile, his demeanor unruffled. "Madam, please present your invitation."
"Vivian, show him yours! He's just a waiter-how dare he act so arrogant!"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Vivian's face. She had agreed too hastily, forgetting to discuss this with her stepmother first.
She pressed her lips together. "Sofia, don't worry. Wait for my mother to arrive."
Victoria Barnes had just encountered the third daughter of the Watson family at the entrance. After exchanging pleasantries, she arrived a little late.
"Victoria, so this is your daughter."
Victoria chuckled softly. "Yes, it is. Vivian, go greet her."
Vivian was adept at reading people. Though she didn't know Hazel Watson personally, the young woman's extraordinary bearing immediately told her she was no ordinary person.
"Hello, Miss."
"Oh my, Victoria, your daughter is quite the charmer. Calling me 'Miss'? I couldn't possibly bear such a title at my age."
Vivian feigned surprise. "But you look so young!"
Victoria was pleased with her stepdaughter's reaction. Though she had initially resented her husband for bringing this "burden" into the family, Hazel's tactfulness had saved her face.
Sofia, standing nearby, gazed at Vivian with starry eyes. She was so impressive-she knew everyone.
"Come on, let's go inside," Hazel said.
Vivian's heart leapt with joy. She hooked her arm through Sofia's, ready to follow her mother inside.
But that damn waiter spoke up again. "Excuse me, miss, could you please show your invitation?"
Indeed, he wasn't stopping Vivian or Victoria, who were chatting animatedly with the host. From start to finish, his eyes had been fixed solely on Sofia.
Sofia's face flushed a deep crimson. "I'm with them!"
Turning to Hazel, the attendant bowed respectfully. "Ms., do you know this lady? She claims her invitation was left at home, but the master instructed that no one may enter the club without an invitation today."
Hazel froze-her father had indeed given that order. Her gaze followed the waiter's direction.
"Um, may I ask which family's young lady she is?"
She genuinely didn't recognize Sofia. She looked utterly unfamiliar.
"She's the youngest daughter of Mr. Caffrey from Ocean Group," Vivian answered softly on her behalf.
"Oh." Hazel recalled that her cousin Wood had married someone with the surname Caffrey.
Her father detested the Caffrey family above all others.
The waiter pulled out the guest list, pursed his lips, and said, "But there are no guests with the surname Caffrey on today's banquet list."
The moment the words left his lips, the air froze.
Vivian panicked. Hadn't she said the invitation was left at home? How could she not be invited?
Her gaze instinctively sought her mother's. Victoria's eyes were icy, silently condemning her for causing trouble.
Hazel clearly wouldn't break her father's rules for her-they weren't that close.
She smiled knowingly. "My apologies. Perhaps Miss Caffrey mistakenly believed she was invited to a banquet at a different location?"
She said no more and slowly walked inside.
Victoria shot Vivian a glare, then tugged her along into the venue, leaving Sofia alone in the wind-flustered and furious.
