n

n

nFor what seems like an hour, the two in-laws only continue exchanging looks with each other.

nConfused by Edward's lack of response, Cassidy tilts her head for a bit and blinks quizzically. She didn't expect this kind of speechless reaction from him on their first meeting - as the eighteen-year-old her, that is. After all, she used to receive a cold welcome every time she met someone from the Millicent's household.

nEdward may just be giving Cassidy the silent treatment instead since he isn't saying anything at all, but because she's not one to judge straight away, she goes ahead and takes the lead once more.

n

"It's nice meeting you, brother-in-law. I believe it's your son's birthday. May I ask where he is? I'm really excited to give him my present,

" she started again after a moment of silence between them.

n

"Oh, ummm... Don't you want to settle down and rest for now? Both of you look a little exhausted. I can just give him the present,

" he offered amicably, finally snapping out of his reverie.

n

"Nah, I'm fine, I'm fine~ This guy here might want that, though. He looks extra grumpy 'cause he's already hungry.

"

nThat's when Cassidy turns to her side - only to find Adrian shooting her an unamused look. She then smirks at him meaningfully while he just narrows his gaze in return. For some reason, he's starting to sense that she's up to something again.

nIn reality, she is indeed up to something.

nDespite everything that happened, she's still planning to follow her scheme to leave early. All she's really here for is the celebrant, after all, and she's not about to play these rich people's social games by staying at this stuffy place.

nFor now, though, she needs to make her husband stay put at one spot, so she can easily speeds away with her new baby later.

n

"Just who're you calling extra grumpy? And I'm not grumpy to begin with,

" Adrian muttered flatly.

n

"Okay, okay... Let's just go with hungry...

" Cassidy trailed off nonchalantly before looking back at his brother.

n

"He's hungry, in-law. Make sure to feed him a whole lot-

"

n

"I'm not hungry either.

"

n

"Ughhh... Can you just play along? This is a birthday party for crying out loud, so you ought to eat.

"

n

"Why are you making it sound like I'm a glutton, though?

"

n

"Look, just go and eat, okay?

"

nEdward only watches them banter again, stupefied by how they appear to be getting along in the strangest way possible for a couple.

nHe has no idea how he should perceive their current relationship. The air around them has apparently become a lot looser and lighter than before.

nIt seemed like his sister-in-law didn't only change on the outside. The way she treated her husband had remarkably taken a turn either.

n

"Excuse me, but I think both of you should really settle down now...

" Edward cut in, troubled by the attention they kept gathering from everyone in the venue.

n

"You're already making a spectacle out of yourselves.

"

nAt that, the two finally face away from each other and take a moment to scan their surroundings. Just as he said, the other guests are now watching them intently. They are really going to disrupt the whole party if their childish skit goes on.

nWith that in mind, they decided to pipe it down at last - with the wife huffing and the husband crossing his arms.

n

"Goodness, you two... You're acting like a couple of teenagers,

" Edward remarked with an amused smile - which only spread wider when he locked eye contact with his sister-in-law again.

n

"Oh...

" Cassidy then suddenly found herself thinking.

n

"This man... He's not rubbed off by my presence at all. How refreshing.

"

nAlthough this is just her third time meeting a Millicent, she still feels quite delighted and relieved. Even if the rest of them treat her coldly, at least one member is accepting of her. It makes her realize that not judging one by looking at the whole is worth it in the end.

n

"Anyway, shall we get you out of the spotlight now?

" Edward continued, gesturing them to follow him to the side.

nWhile Adrian simply complies, Cassidy suddenly halts on her tracks once more just when she's about to walk away. Right then, her eyes stray to the front part of the courtyard where a rectangular platform lies. It wasn't really the fancy decoration or mountain of presents that caught her eyes, though.

nRather, it's this cute young trio on the stage - each carrying the striking air of a Millicent.

n

"Oh, the tallest must be the celebrant!

" Cassidy mused silently before turning back around and pulling out a red gift box from the trunk of the motorcycle.

nIt's a good thing that they were in a mall earlier. Since her original present had been burned down along with her other belongings, she decided to take time to buy a new one - a better one, to boot. It's true that all she cares about here is the birthday celebrant, after all.

n

"Huh? Cassidy?

" Adrian blurted out after catching sight of his wife going off to a different direction.

nAfter hearing his brother call his wife by her name for the very first time, Edward abruptly pauses and looks at him in surprise. He's probably taken aback by that more than at the fact that his sister-in-law is now making her way to his three sons.

nAt this point, Cassidy is already unstoppable.

nShe lets her husband's calls fall on deaf ears and just continues on her way to the platform. All the while, she's making yet another scene for herself. Everyone's eyes keep trailing after her as she strides down the courtyard.

nHer confident poise matches her cool attire very well. The kind of grace and elegance she carries are different from most ladies in there. Hers are refreshingly chill yet sexily hot at the same time. It definitely makes her look so attention-catching and captivating - even if some of the audience refuse to think just that.

n

"Cassidy Eleanor...

"

nSophie stays at the back corner of the place during the whole time. Her dainty figure is just hidden enough for her to make a disdainful expression without the crowd noticing. From that distance, her sharp glare follows her rival menacingly.

nShe doesn't hold back with casting malevolence over her hooded expression, considering that everyone there is too occupied to notice her.

n

"I see that you're not even a bit unscathed from that bombing, and I'll let you get away with it for now. After all, Adrian was actually there with you...

" she thought quietly before narrowing her gaze even more.

n

"But next time, I'll make sure that you'll never be able to show your face in front of everyone again.

"

nWith that as her lingering thought, Sophie turns around and silently takes her leave, deciding to retreat for tonight since her loss this time is too overwhelming.

nOn the opposite side of the place, the other Millicent's have only barely moved on from their shell-shocked state. At this point, they're struck speechless on their spots. While the twins just keep watching their sister-in-law with looks of nonplus and disbelief, their mother is only getting ready to erupt in a fit of pique.

n

"That impudent woman...

" Gertrude hissed underneath her breath.

n

"How dare she make my son ride on... on such a thing...?! And just where in the world was the chopper that I sent?!

"

n

"Clearly, Mother, they failed to find them,

" Olivia said matter-of-factly.

n

"Olivia, don't miff her more...

" Irish chided her sister with a hushed yet sharp tone before turning to placate their mother.

n

"Just look at the bright side, Mother! At least, our little brother is fine. Nothing dangerous happened to him at all! Let's just talk with Cassidy tomorrow in the morning, alright?

"

nAt that, the blonde gives the brunette an all-knowing narrowed gaze, staring at her through the corners of her eyes. Her frown deepens at what she just said regarding their sister-in-law. What she means by talking with her is already obvious.

nAfter all, Olivia is often present in the scene whenever both Gertrude and Irish do this 'talk' with Cassidy - and most of those times are too displeasing to recall.

n

"Hmmm... But looking at the new her...

" the blonde silently pondered as she averted her eyes back to her sister-in-law and focused on her again, her expression still inscrutably unsmiling all the while.

n

"Perhaps, things will change somehow like how she is now.

"

nBy that point, Cassidy has finally reached the stage where Edward's sons are.

nThe three appear surprised and confused. They can't believe how much their aunt has changed. Not to mention, she has just approached them in the open - unlike before when she would only talk and interact like this with them in secret.

nDamien, for one, knows that she's kind deep within - that she's just too kind, which makes her appear somewhat pitiful at times. She was also perceived as someone with a bland character. But right now, that blandness is nowhere to be found at all.

n

"Hello there, boys! Having a good time?

" Cassidy then greeted ebulliently all of the sudden, catching them off guard.

nAt that moment, they think that indeed, that blandness is not there anymore.

n