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Upon spotting Jasmine’s arrival, Luna’s expression contorted with frustration, her brows furrowing together.
Mia’s earlier remarks had already unsettled her, and now Jasmine’s sudden appearance only exacerbated her irritation. What was the purpose of this woman’s presence, anyway?
Despite her inner turmoil, Luna forced a smile and addressed Raymond, “Dad, Jazzy is here.”
Upon hearing Luna’s announcement, Raymond’s expression darkened. Jasmine’s revelation about Luna being his illegitimate daughter had deeply shaken him.
To make matters worse, this information had been weaponized by his rivals to undermine him.
Despite Raymond’s swift response, the incident had left a lasting impression, and he felt profoundly let down by Jasmine.
Now, with Jasmine unexpectedly appearing in a black dress, no one could decipher her intentions.
Addressing Jasmine, Raymond’s voice dropped as he cautioned, “What more are you after? I advise you to think twice before making any hasty decisions.”
A smile played on Jasmine’s lips as she responded, “Dad, what’s with the tension? I’m here today to celebrate my little brother’s birthday.”
Jasmine’s reference to Asher as her brother sent Luna’s thoughts spinning, though she couldn’t quite grasp the significance.
Nevertheless, Luna couldn’t ignore the warning signs flashing in her mind.
Jasmine’s abrupt remark left Raymond and Luna stunned, their minds grappling with the possibility that they might have misconstrued her words.
The sudden shift in Jasmine’s demeanor caught them off guard, leaving them feeling uncertain about her intentions.
Without delay, Jasmine clapped her hands and signaled to the nearby butler. “Please bring up the gift I’ve prepared,” she instructed.
A gift?
As the butler slipped out of the room, Luna couldn’t help but shoot a suspicious look in Jasmine’s direction. “What’s really going on here?” she asked, her tone cautious.
Luna couldn’t fathom why Jasmine, seemingly out of nowhere, had decided to prepare a gift for Asher.
“Relax, Luna,” Jasmine countered. “Today happens to be my little brother’s birthday, so naturally, I’ve arranged a special gift for him. After all, with our impending family ties, it’s only fitting that I set a positive example, don’t you think?”
Luna couldn’t suppress a cynical smile at Jasmine’s pompous words. “You’ve got the family dynamics all twisted. Asher is my son, Dad’s grandson-not your little brother.”
“Oh, I see,” Jasmine replied casually. “I assumed Dad had longed for a son, which is why he welcomed Asher as his own.”
Luna’s unease grew as she listened. “What nonsense are you talking about?” she retorted firmly.
Asher, after all, was her son, and biologically, Raymond’s grandson.
Nonetheless, Luna refused to entertain Jasmine’s insinuations.
What ulterior motive was Jasmine possibly hiding behind that extravagant gift?
As Luna contemplated this, her mind raced with apprehension. Could Jasmine have stumbled upon some hidden secrets from the past? Before long, the butler appeared with a team of servers, all wheeling in a sizable box, commanding the attention of everyone in the room.
Upon locking eyes with the box, Luna’s unease intensified.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Jasmine’s supposed gesture of goodwill was anything but genuine.
Given Jasmine’s clear disdain for both Luna and Asher, it seemed highly unlikely that she would suddenly acknowledge Asher’s significance and prepare such a grand gift. Hence, Luna was convinced that there was something suspicious about that box.
Meanwhile, Mia’s expression turned grave as she observed the arrival of the box. It appeared that the climax of this situation was imminent.
In the next moment, Luna turned to Mia with a question, “Ms. Lane, is this a special service provided by your hotel?”
Setting her champagne glass down gently, Mia nodded, confirming, “Indeed it is. What prompts your inquiry, Ms. Maynard?”
“Well, Jazzy hadn’t mentioned attending today’s banquet beforehand. Not to mention I meticulously planned this event myself and had no inkling about this special gift. So, I can only assume it’s a unique surprise arranged by your hotel,” Luna clarified
Mia agreed with a nod. “If that’s how you perceive it, then you’re correct. It’s a custom gift crafted in collaboration with Ms. Jasmine and our hotel.”
Luna’s smile broadened. “Ah, I understand now. If it’s a special surprise from Aide Castle Hotel, then it’s bound to be worth the anticipation. Our guests are all here due to your hotel’s renown call nex reputation, after all. Ms. Lane, I’m confident you won’t disappoint us.”
Mia sensed the underlying implications in Luna’s remarks. She realized that if any issues arose with the gift, Luna would likely shift the blame onto Aide Castle Hotel. After all, Luna had a knack for deflecting responsibility.
Before long, Jasmine intervened with a smile, moving toward the gift box. “Let’s open it and see what’s inside.”
“Not so fast.”
All of a sudden, Raymond stepped in, halting Jasmine’s movement.
He grasped her hand, exchanging a meaningful glance with her. He, too, harbored doubts about the contents of the box. Perhaps it held something unsettling rather than a delightful surprise. Today’s banquet was meticulously orchestrated for Asher, serving as a grand celebration of his position as the heir to their family. There was absolutely no room for error.
Glancing up at Raymond, Jasmine inquired, “Dad, is everything alright? Aren’t you eager to see the gift I’ve prepared for my nephew?”
Spotting the sizable box nearby, Asher’s eyes lit up with excitement. Without hesitation, he dashed over and eagerly opened the box. “I want this gift!” he exclaimed with enthusiasm. As the box popped open, it revealed a large, meticulously crafted cake that resembled a work of art.
The guests were captivated, some even reaching for their phones to capture the moment.
As Raymond’s eyes fell upon the cake, a sigh of relief escaped him. With a complex expression, he addressed Jasmine, “I hadn’t anticipated you arranging such an elaborate surprise.”
Aware of Alison’s desire for divorce and assuming that Jasmine wouldn’t accept Asher, Raymond had prepared himself for an imminent separation.
However, Jasmine’s unexpected gesture left him pondering-could this be a sign of a potential reconciliation?
Meanwhile, Luna’s apprehension only grew deeper as she laid eyes on the cake.
Moments ago, she had been nervous about what the box might contain, fearing it could hold something harmful. However, to her surprise, it was just a cake.
But what had prompted Jasmine to suddenly act so kindly, sending over a cake and addressing Asher as her “nephew” so casually?
With Asher beside her, Jasmine lit the candles and spoke to him, “Asher, you’re now a part of the Shelbert family. Everything in our home is now yours. Your life will be different from this day forward. Please, make a wish.”
A smile appeared on Raymond’s face as he stood next to Jasmine, visibly relieved.
In a hushed tone, he said to her, “If you can find it in yourself to accept everything, it would be the best possible outcome.”
Jasmine sliced a piece of cake and handed it to Raymond. “Dad, I’ve come to realize that my past actions were impulsive and immature. But now, I’ve had a genuine change of heart.
“Asher is a part of our family, and there’s no reason for me to react so strongly. I’ve also spoken with Grandpa Ernest and Grandma Irene, and they’re supportive.”
Raymond’s expression shifted to one of surprise. “Really? So, your grandparents are on board, but what about your mother?”
“Mom hasn’t outright agreed yet, but she’s not as opposed as before. Dad, trust me, I’ll win her over. After all, both of you have built so many years of love together. “We can’t let something as insignificant as this drive us apart. Plus, I’ve been longing for a kid in our home, someone to bring warmth and joy to our family.”
Raymond let out a sigh of relief after hearing Jasmine’s words, his face reflecting contentment as he gently patted her shoulder. “Jazzy, I’m truly glad to hear you say this. It seems all my efforts in raising you weren’t for nothing.”
“Dad, you can count on me. I’ve had a genuine change of heart. I won’t react the same way I did in the past. Asher is now part of our family, and I’ll treat him accordingly.
“I’ll work on persuading my grandparents to provide him with all the resources and support he needs. As a family, we’ll stand together and move forward, rather than holding each other back.
“This is a lesson you’ve taught me, and though I didn’t fully grasp it before, I understand it now.”
Raymond was surprised by Jasmine’s maturity. “That’s wonderful, Jazzy. You’ve truly exceeded my expectations.”
Turning to Luna beside her, Jasmine teased, “Isn’t that right, Luna? We’re family now.”
Luna’s expression turned pale within moments, staring at Jasmine in disbelief.
“
She never anticipated Jasmine could be so adaptable, embracing Asher’s presence and even convincing her maternal grandparents, Ernest Moore, and Irene Calahan, to do the same. This new development was indeed a troubling twist for Luna.
At that moment, Luna was engulfed by a sense of impending crisis.
Struggling to muster a smile, she turned to Raymond and began, “But Dad—” “Enough talk. Let’s focus on celebrating Asher’s birthday for now.
Jazzy, why don’t you cut the cake and serve it to everyone?” Raymond interjected.
Nonetheless, Luna couldn’t shake off her unease. “Dad, Asher hardly knows her.” “They’ll get to know each other in time. After all, they’re family now,” Raymond replied, attempting to reassure Luna.
Jasmine’s smile widened. “Absolutely, Dad, I’ve got everything under control.
I’ll introduce Asher to everyone __ shortly.
“With so many other children here, it’ll be fantastic for Asher to make new friends. It’ll help him develop his social skills in the long run.” “That sounds ideal. If you can handle that, I’ll be very pleased,” Raymond remarked, his tone radiating approval.
Given Raymond’s position, assigning him to such tasks might seem beneath him.
On the other hand, Luna’s status might not be deemed appropriate for the role.
Therefore, entrusting Jasmine with the introductions appeared to be the most suitable choice.
“This is the least I can do. After all, we’re family, right? It’s my first time caring for a child, so I might make some mistakes, but I’ll do my best to guide Asher. I won’t let anyone down,” Jasmine assured before bringing Asher around to meet the guests. She then took charge of distributing the cake on her own.
Meanwhile, Luna couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy as she observed from the sidelines. She felt that these tasks should have been hers, but Jasmine’s sudden involvement completely overshadowed her.
Unable to hold back, Luna approached Raymond and expressed her concern.
“Dad, Asher has been under my care since he was young. With all these unfamiliar faces here today, isn’tita bit overwhelming for Jazzy to be responsible for introducing him?” Raymond attempted to calm Luna, assuring her, “Don’t worry, Asher seems to be adjusting well. I don’t see any reason for concern. Your worries might be unfounded.” Despite Raymond’s reassurance, Luna’s frustration only grew. How could she stand by as Jasmine seemingly replaced her? “Dad, I’m genuinely worried about Jasmine’s sudden and extreme change in behavior. We need to proceed with caution. What if there’s something dangerous she’s hiding? How should we address that?” Luna’s mounting unease was evident.