The whispers ceased once the guests noticed the appearance of the head of Fuse Family. The man in the dark blue suit was standing protectively beside the lady in the ombre dark blue dress. It was clear in the eyes of the guests that the two of them dressed as a couple.
The endearment in President Fuse's voiced when he asked worriedly to the lady affirmed their suspicions.
"Mr. Fuse... I... It's a misunderstanding!" The heiress quickly got up and started to plead to his mercy but the man treated her like air.
"It's good that you're okay," said Ren lovingly to Tsubaki as his free hand brushed against her bangs. "I'm afraid something happened to you."
Tsubaki chuckled as she knew the man was purposely displaying affection in front of the guests. She went along as she gently raised her hand and placed it on his hand that was wrapping around her waist. The diamond on her wedding ring gleamed as she held his hand, the hand where he wore his ring.
If the guests still couldn't make the connection after seeing their intimate interactions and the rings on their fingers, they were obviously dumb.
"Grandma is waiting for us. We shouldn't delay any longer," said Tsubaki in a quiet voice. She glanced at the grand staircase.
"Okay, sweetheart," Ren agreed. He turned his head slightly to the bodyguards behind him, muttering indifferently, "I don't want any incident to happen today."
"Yes, Master!"
As the couple wanted to move away from the scene, the heiress shook her head in disbelief. She wanted to get to them but two of the bodyguards held her in place.
"Don't touch me, you dirty men!" The heiress roared in distress. "I want to talk to them!"
"Miss, please cooperate with us," said one of the bodyguards rigidly. "President wants you to leave this party."
"How dare you to chase me away? I..."
"What's happening here?"
A stern voice rang from the upstairs. Ren and Tsubaki paused in their steps, they looked up and saw Grandma beside Old Yuuzo. She was descending the stairs with the help of her personal maids. A garnet colored kimono with the pattern of a golden phoenix rising to the sky clad on the Matriach of Fuse's small body. Even though she appeared petite, but the weight of her voice made the guests stopped gossiping.
Grandma stepped on the floor and cast her gaze around the large hall before she finally looked at the couple in front of her. The stern lines on her face softened at the sight of her grandson and granddaughter-in-law. The couple made way to the old lady.
"Apologies, Grandma. I'm a bit late due to some concerning matters," said Ren politely. He leaned down and kissed his grandmother's wrinkly cheeks. "Happy birthday, Grandma. I'll always pray for your better health and prosperity."
Tsubaki nodded gracefully as she smiled. "Happy birthday, Grandma. May you be blessed with good health."
Grandma laughed heartily. She walked forward and hugged Tsubaki, patting her head affectionately. "Aiya, what good great health to me if I still couldn't see my great-grandchild? I hope by my birthday celebration next year I could finally hold the little one in my arms."
Tsubaki blushed as she didn't expect Grandma would utter such wish in front of the guests. She lowered her head and got to her husband's side after Grandma released her from the hug. Ren chuckled as he noticed the expression on his wife's face.
"No worry, Grandma. I'm sure good news would be coming to your way soon," said Ren in certainty, making Tsubaki wanted to pinch the hand around her waist.
"Good! Good! I'll be waiting then!" Grandma cheered in joy. She finally faced the guests who were still watching their family drama. "Dearest guests, thank you for coming to my birthday celebration. Due to the recent events happening last week, I actually wanted to cancel this celebration but I have a piece of good news to be shared with you."
Grandma stretched out her hand and held Tsubaki's hand. Tsubaki moved closer to her, leaving Ren's embrace. But he still stood close to her, as if couldn't bear to be apart from her even for a second.
"I want to introduce my granddaughter-in-law to you," said Grandma, pride could be heard in her voice, tinged with adoration. "I could finally sleep in peace since the spot for the mistress of Fuse Household has been filled already. Everyone, meet my dearest granddaughter-in-law, Hanada Tsubaki."
Tsubaki was overwhelmed with nerves as the guests' eyes were focused solely on her. She put her hand over another and gracefully bowed to them. There was no boastfulness of pride and haughtiness in her actions. The air around her was peaceful and serene, melting the coldness of the man beside her away.
The two of them looked great together.
"Greetings, dearest guests. My name is Hanada Tsubaki, the wife of Fuse Ren."
The guests clapped gracefully, finally understanding the situation.
"Mrs. Fuse is so beautiful and poise, I wonder if Mr. Fuse falls in love because of her gracefulness?" One of the guests asked good-naturedly.
"Actually, Miss Subaru's action is quite rash. For her to easily slapping someone, I bet she's always being rude to her maids."
"We should be ashamed because we didn't stop Miss Subaru earlier."
The sounds of the guests whispering made the heiress turned pale. Moreso when she caught the death glare from her father, President Subaru. It was obvious her father was enraged with her behavior, especially after the lady she tried to pick a fight with was Fuse Ren's wife, the mistress of the household.
"President Subaru," Ren mildly looked at the older man who was suppressing his rage. The older man flinched when he met the gaze of the cold man. "I believe my helper owes justice from you. We have surveillance cameras installed in this house. It's easy to know whether it is my employee's fault or your daughter's. But I believe slapping someone couldn't be equated with dirtying one's dress, no matter the price."
"My apologies, President Fuse," the older man stuttered. "I'll check the situation with my daughter."
Ren nodded nonchalantly. He glanced at the guests and smiled, "Do enjoy the celebrations, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you'd enjoy tonight's party."
"Happy birthday, Matriach Fuse."
"May you be blessed with good health and a long life."
Old Yuuzo brought Grandma to her seat at a table. The relatives of Fuse Family were sitting there, watching the scene unfold before them. A few of them cast interesting gazes on the wife of the head of their family.
And some of them held contempt.