The Scent of 127

Chapter 127

With that, Matthias interrupted, “Can we hold off for a bit, Mr. Rodriguez? There’s someone else coming, and they should be here in ten minutes.”

Ivan was well aware of how Matthias and Celeste were connected.

Matthias had always taken care of Celeste as well.

Hence, Betty and Ivan were pretty grateful to him.

Upon hearing what Matthias had just said, Ivan asked, “Is he by himself? We still have empty seats at the main table if he doesn’t mind joining us.”

“He’s totally okay with it,” Matthias replied.

“Okay.”

Ivan nodded and instructed the staff to serve the other tables first, while their dishes would be served later.

As the first few dishes arrived, Matthias glanced at his phone. Then, he pulled Celeste aside and said, “The person. is here. I’ll go get them.”

Celeste nodded. The moment she turned around, she heard a familiar yet icy voice. “No need, I’m here already.”

Celeste was stunned. She immediately turned around. “Mr. Newman?”

Zachary hummed a reply.

The remaining guests were dumbfounded when they saw Zachary. They thought they were seeing things.

It was Zachary, the renowned tech tycoon who was always in the headlines, who came, after all.

Who wouldn’t recognize him, though?

His talent alone was remarkable, but word was that his background was equally powerful.

A high–profile person like him at Betty’s birthday party? That was unexpected.

Betty and Ivan were stunned the moment they saw Zachary

They immediately stood up and greeted him after snapping back to their senses.

Despite Zachary’s cold demeanor, he remained respectful toward elders he valued.

He had met Betty before.

Hence, he rushed over, helping Betty settle into her seat, “Please, don’t trouble yourself to stand,” he said.

Betty sat back down and replied, “It’s such an honor to have you here, Mr. Newman.”

“You’re too gracious, Madam Klein.” Zachary settled down in the seat beside Betty. “My apologies, I should have visited you sooner.‘

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As he spoke, he signaled Matthías to pass the gift to him, and then he handed it to Betty. “I came in a hurry and couldn’t arrange something more thoughtful–I hope you don’t mind, Madam Klein.”

Betty smiled. “Having you here is the best gift I could ask for, Mr. Newman.”

After Zachary and Betty exchanged a few warm words, Zachary noticed Celeste and Matthias, who were standing quietly behind him like chastised schoolchildren.

Chapter 127

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He cast a glance at them. Immediately, Celeste and Matthias nodded in unison and sat beside him.

Betty voiced again, “Thank you for looking after Cel in the past.”

“It’s no big deal,” Zachary said. “She’s had some research breakthroughs lately, so at least her talents aren’t going to waste. You have nothing to worry about, Madam Klein.”

Zachary and Betty didn’t stop Celeste when she decided to give up on her studies for Trevor.

They both believed that facing setbacks was part of growing up.

Besides, one would only learn what regret felt like by making their own choices.

What was truly concerning was how one let setbacks define them, unable to move forward.

Fortunately, despite the setbacks, Celeste chose to rise again.

Having Isabelle as the precedent, Betty had been concerned too.

However, she knew that over–intervening wouldn’t help in the long run, so she chose to let Celeste find her own

way.

Hearing what Zachary had said, Betty felt at ease. “Good, good, that’s all I needed to know.”

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