Brendan was about to leave when an assistant appeared unexpectedly, holding a luxurious scarlet invitation card with gold-embossed inscriptions.
"Chairman, have a look at this!"
Thaddeus' face lit up as he snatched the invitation card and carefully examined its contents. He exclaimed, "Heaven is truly blessing the Reeds! Brendan, look at this. The gold embossing signifies an affluent sender! Though the sender remains anonymous, he must be someone of immense standing! And they send invitation to us which is truly God-send!"
"Grandpa, I reckon this high-class invitation must be from the mysterious tycoon who recently spent tens of millions at the auction! He's taken notice of us and likely holds us in good regard! Grandpa, this could be our salvation! It's perfect timing that we are one of the recipients of this luxurious event."
Brendan, too, was delighted, holding the invitation card and gazing at it repeatedly, feeling that the Reeds' revival was imminent. A glimmer of hope in his heart started to rise.
"Indeed. On the day of the event, you must conduct yourself admirably and strive to win this mysterious tycoon's favor. Once we secure his support, we won't have to fear Orion Industries any longer!"
The Reeds quickly spread the word that they had received this prestigious invitation, causing other families considering cutting ties with them to reconsider. Many smaller families, who had initially distanced themselves, rushed to re-establish connections with the Reeds.
Brendan and Thaddeus suddenly felt a surge of confidence.
Soon, the day of the banquet arrived.
"I knew that wastrel would be up to no good. He's been home for just a few days, and now that I asked him to get some water, he's disappeared again! Such a waste!" Claudia reprimanded repeatedly, an apron tied around her waist.
A chauffeur in a black suit and white gloves emerged from a luxurious Bentley that had stopped outside the Reed property.
"Um... who are you looking for?" Claudia asked, surprised by the chauffeur's behavior.
"Good evening. Mr. Monroe has assigned me as Miss Reed's chauffeur for the banquet at the Dusit Hotel." The chauffeur bowed respectfully.
Claudia was momentarily stunned. But when she realized what this meant, she immediately beamed with delight. "Do you mean Mr. Damien Monroe? Have you come to take us to the banquet?"
"Yes, Madam."
Claudia was ecstatic and didn't know what to do with her hands.
She knew that in the past few days, many households in Emerald Coast County had received mysterious, posh-looking invitation cards. The event on the card was scheduled for tonight at the Dusit Hotel in Emerald Coast County.
The Reeds, an upper-class family in Emerald Coast County, received such an invitation and proudly displayed it. Consequently, many families who had distanced themselves were now trying to reconnect with the Reeds.
The impact of a single invitation card was immense.
Claudia didn't expect to be invited. Moreover, Damien Monroe, the wealthiest man in Emerald Coast County, was personally inviting them. Could it be...? Claudia was thrilled at the thought.
She turned and hurried into the house, bursting into Charlotte's room, and exclaimed, "Good news, Charlotte! The Monroes have sent someone to pick us up for the banquet!"
Charlotte, engrossed in a video game on her computer, looked up in surprise. "Banquet? What banquet?"
"Ah, this is the banquet everyone has been discussing for the last two days! This must be your engagement dinner with Damien Monroe's son!"
Claudia was so excited that she pulled Charlotte from her desk and urged, "Hurry up and change into something nice! Ah, why do the Monroes love surprises so much? They could have told us beforehand so I could get you some lovely outfits!"
Claudia pushed Charlotte towards the closet while she was still in shock. "Are you sure, Mum? Why the sudden engagement banquet? The Monroes haven't sent anyone to speak with us before."
Claudia squeezed her daughter's cheek. "Silly girl, the Monroes have sent their chauffeur to our door, and he's waiting to take us. Do you think I'm mistaken? The Monroes are the county's wealthiest family; they love surprises!"
Her mother encouraged Charlotte to change her clothes, feeling joyful and shy.
Although she didn't know Damien Monroe's son, she was confident the engagement would benefit her since he came from the county's wealthiest family. Besides, the Monroes had sent generous betrothal gifts, proving their sincerity!
In another room, Anastasia and Sophia were watching cartoons together.
"Mummy, where's Daddy gone today? Why isn't he here?" Sophia suddenly turned and asked.
Anastasia was taken aback. She gently tapped her daughter's nose. "Haven't you spent the last few days with your daddy? Why do you want to see him again when he's only briefly gone?"
"Yes! I love it when Daddy's home with you and me. I like it when we're all together, just like in the cartoons! It would be wonderful if we could see him every day! Don't you think so, Mummy?" Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Anastasia.
Anastasia was at a loss for words.
Ethan had stayed home recently, playing with Sophia and occasionally giving her gentle looks.
But Anastasia needed to figure out how to handle Ethan.
Every time she saw him, she remembered how he had reached out to pull her up from the puddle on that cold, rainy day and held her warmly.
Anastasia thought deeply when she heard a loud knock on the door. "Anastasia! The Monroes have sent someone to take us to Charlotte's engagement banquet with Damien Monroe's son! Hurry up and get dressed. We're going together!"
Anastasia was stunned. The Monroes hadn't invited anyone to their home since they gave large gifts last time. Why the sudden engagement? They didn't even know what Damien Monroe's son was like! Is this really happening?