Chapter 753

Chapter 753

Kareem also noticed the young man at the entrance. The man had a

tall and handsome figure, and his appearance was full of a sunny and

bright charm. He observed Katie's expression and said, "Isn't that the

guy you used to chase after in college?"

Katie had a difficult look on her face, and her carefully adorned face

revealed a faint hint of resentment. "Why is Brayden here? Wasn't he in

that nowhere Larro town?"

Back in her college days, Katie had relentlessly pursued Brayden, but

he had rejected her advances, almost turning her into a laughingstock

on campus.

She couldn't believe she was running into this man here.

When Katie was in her freshman year, Brayden was already a senior.

She had fallen in love with him at first sight and had pursued him

ardently, but no matter what she did, he remained indifferent.

Soon after, he graduated and left the school.

She heard he had returned to his hometown in Larro.

Her pursuit of him during those days had come to naught.

It had been several years since she last saw Brayden, and now he

seemed like a distant memory. She gazed at the man at the entrance,

and he was still as handsome and upright as ever, but now he

appeared even more mature and composed than when he was in

school.

In Brayden's expression, there was an indescribable charm that came

with the maturity of a man.

Katie was feeling a flurry of emotions, and she was about to approach

him to say hello when she saw a young girl wearing a pink dress and

white Martin boots rushing up to Brayden. The girl was cute and sweet-

looking, holding Brayden's hand intimately and looking up at him. Her

rosy lips were moving, and she appeared to be talking to him.

Brayden raised his hand affectionately and ruffled the girl's hair.

Katie had never seen Brayden look this gentle and affectionate before.

Envy grew within her like wild weeds, causing her to feel

uncomfortable, bitter, and angry.

How could this man be so close to another woman besides her?

She quickly downed the glass of water in front of her.

Kareem hadn't realized what was happening yet when he saw Katie

impulsively approach Brayden, and he hurriedly followed her.

It was already noon, and very few guests had arrived. Brayden had

greeted a few people and was discussing whether to start the meal

since it seemed like no one else was coming.

At that moment, an angry female voice sounded nearby.

"Brayden, senior! Long time no see!"

Brayden furrowed his brow and looked toward the voice, seeing a

somewhat unfamiliar face. "Excuse me... who are you?"

There was no recollection of this face in his memory.

However, the girl had just called him senior. Could she be a former

classmate?

Katie almost choked on her breath and nearly fainted. She gritted her

teeth and said, "Brayden, senior, I'm your junior, Katie. Don't you

remember?"

Katie? That was a familiar name. Wasn't she that recent headline about

the heiress of some conglomerate in the entertainment section?

Brayden contemplated for a moment, wondering if he had a classmate

named Katie. Out of politeness, he nodded and said, "Hello. How have

you been? I heard you've become a star?"

Katie finally felt a bit relieved, "Yes! I'm about to participate in a variety

show called “Back to First Love". Brayden, would you consider being my

guest on the show?"

Brayden found it strange to receive such a straightforward invitation.

What did her appearance on a variety show have to do with him?

So, he politely declined, "I'm sorry, but I'm quite busy, and I don't have

the time."

Katie felt a lump in her chest, "Busy with what? Is it because you have

a girlfriend now?"

She pointed at Jenna, "Is that why you're refusing me? I can't believe

you'd be into these childish types.”

Jenna, caught off guard, was wordless.

She had an instinctual dislike for Katie, especially her condescending

attitude, which made Jenna feel quite uncomfortable.

"Miss Mcguire, I believe we haven't reached the point of discussing our

preferences in partners, have we?" Brayden raised an eyebrow as he

glanced at Katie. He spoke clearly, “My taste in women has nothing to

do with you.”

Katie's expression contorted, "How does it not concern me? Brayden,

it's been so many years. If you're still unmarried, then you'll be my man

for life!"

Her feelings for Brayden bordered on obsession. From childhood to

adulthood, there was nothing she couldn't have, except Brayden. The

more he dismissed her, the more she desired him.

Mrs. Wright stood nearby, watching the overly confident and assertive

girl who had suddenly appeared. She was not very fond of her. If she

were to choose a daughter-in-law, she would never pick this girl.

Just then, Sabrina and Alondra, the sisters, approached Katie. Alondra,

with a cheerful smile, presented Katie with a gift, "Katie, this is a

birthday gift from me. Let's see if you like it."

Paula also joined in, looking at Katie with affection. "Katie, your aunt

prepared a gift for you too. Oh my, our Katie is so beautiful. Who

knows, maybe in the future, some lucky young man will get to enjoy

your charms.”

Katie was the princess of the Mcguire family, and she did not have

much regard for the ordinary heiresses of Urgford. But in Katie's

presence, she needed to maintain a certain facade, despite privately

thinking of Katie as a simpleton with an empty head.

She placed a bag with an "X" logo in front of Katie. "Katie, this is a

global limited-edition jewelry set that I snatched after staying up all

night. There are only ten sets in the world!"

Katie was a fan of X designs and had a complete collection of their

clothes and accessories. She always needed to have the latest

releases, and if she couldn't get her hands on limited-edition items, she

would pay a high price to acquire them.

Katie's mood was still soured, and even though she received three

precious gifts, she couldn't shake her discontent. However, since her

aunts had always been kind to her, she managed to force a faint smile

and accepted the gifts, saying, "Thank you, Sabrina, thank you, aunts.”

Alondra held Katie's hand and advised her, "We're all family here, no

need to be so polite. Today, your birthday celebration at Balfax Hotel is

attended by many celebrities. You must conduct yourself with dignity,

not as capricious as you used to be, understand?"

Katie nodded and replied, "I understand.”

Kareem, in a soft voice, added, "The event space is being prepared by

my sister-in-law inside. Aunts, Miss Hogan, please go inside."

Alondra and Paula, the high-ranking sisters in the family, had never

held Kareem in high regard, thinking of him as nothing more than a

servant. Upon hearing Kareem's invitation, Alondra didn't even give a

smile and replied, "Kareem, you've been so helpful. Continue

welcoming the guests here. We'll go inside with Katie."

Their condescending attitude was clear, treating him like a mere

servant.

Kareem concealed his annoyance and maintained a polite smile,

saying, "Aunt Alondra is right. Please go inside."

Paula wasn't as explicit as Alondra, and as they walked toward the

entrance, she said, "It's quite strange. My husband, the old Mr. Bennett,

and Jonathan said they have business engagements and won't be

coming. But why are they so busy? It's Katie's birthday."

Katie shrugged and replied, "If they don't come, it's fine. We don't need

them.”

Alondra then inquired, "What about my brother-in-law?"

Paula answered, "Salvatore Bennett? He's on his way. He'll be coming

directly from the office.”

The Bennett family had a close relationship with the Mcguire family,

and they were on good terms. As Salvatore approached, Paula waved

at him, calling out, "Honey!"

Salvatore walked over, and with a warm smile, said, "Honey."

The Bennett family and the Mcguire family were in-laws, and their

relationship was excellent. Brayden breathed a sigh of relief, glad that

Katie was distracted by familiar faces. Mrs. Wright recognized some

people from the Bennett family, as she remembered having a close

friend, Tiana, who was married into the Bennett family.

As she pondered this, a black car pulled up at the entrance of Balfax

Hotel.

Tiana, Jonathan, and the old Mr. Bennett stepped out of the car and

made their way to the entrance. Jonathan offered his assistance to the

old Mr. Bennett once more.

Paula, seeing them, was pleasantly surprised. "Dad, didn't you say you

couldn't make it?" she inquired, her face glowing.

Alondra also welcomed them, saying, “The old Mr. Bennett, you're

here! Please come inside."

The old Mr. Bennett chuckled and wasn't shy about it. "I apologize.

Today, we're also having lunch at Balfax Hotel, but we're going to the

Wright family banquet. Katie is so young; having an old man like me

attend her birthday might bring her bad luck!"

Upon hearing the old Mr. Bennett's words, the Mcguire sisters’ faces

turned incredibly grim. It was as though he was directly slapping them

in the face.

Katie felt a bit awkward. According to their seniority, she should

address the old Mr. Bennett as her grandfather. Her face turned bright

red, and she said, "The old Mr. Bennett is right. I'm still young; what's

there to celebrate? The main reason for all this is that my dad enjoys

having a big gathering.”

The old Mr. Bennett added with a sigh, "With your older brother's life

hanging in the balance, your father seems quite untroubled. I feel so

sorry for Carolyn.”

This remark was a brutal slap in the face to the Mcguire family. Lukas

was still detained, yet here they were, celebrating extravagantly. The

irony was palpable.

The Mcguires were left feeling embarrassed, and for a moment, none

of them spoke.

Mrs. Wright was taken aback. She hadn't expected the old Mr. Bennett

to bring his daughter-in-law and grandson to Cody's feast.