After finishing her drink, Emma took out her phone from her purse and sent a message to Ethan, who was not far away: "Can you help me bring the children over here?"
As she crossed the crowd, Emma could clearly see the expression on Ethan's face after receiving the message: complicated, puzzled, even suspicious. But soon, he nodded at her and walked away.
Most of the guests had arrived, and Mr. Thompson sat at the head of the table. Lily was already impatient, calculating the time when the medicine would take effect, and urging Emma.
Emma walked towards her grandfather and handed him the box in her hand. "Grandpa, this is a gift from myself and Ethan."
Mr. Thompson seemed very happy and laughed heartily. "Oh? You and Ethan, can I understand that you can now represent the Matthew family?"
He was just teasing his granddaughter, but his words had a different meaning to others. Their conversation quickly attracted the attention of most people.
Lily was overjoyed. Things were developing better than she had expected. If Grandpa Thompson got angry and blamed the Matthew family, it would only make Emma's situation more difficult.
Lily interrupted, "Yes, Grandpa, this gift was carefully prepared by Emma. She said it has a special meaning for you. Why don't you open it and take a look?"
As she spoke, she couldn't wait to open the gift box.
Representing the Matthew family's gift! Everyone was a little curious.
Mr. Thompson smiled and took the gift box, slowly opening it.
Lily was ecstatic in her heart, constantly looking at her watch. The good show was finally about to begin! However, when Mr. Thompson saw what was inside the box, his expression froze and his fingers trembled slightly. The whole room fell silent, with everyone craning their necks to see what was inside the box, which was unfortunately blocked from view due to its height.
Lily wore a victorious smile, waiting for Mr. Thompson's anger and for Emma to be completely disgraced. When Mr. Thompson raised his hand, Lily's expression froze. How could it be a painting? And such a simple one at that, folded up without even any packaging? The whole room erupted in commotion. Although Emma was Mr. Thompson's granddaughter ,the gift she gave on behalf of the Matthew family was undoubtedly a disgrace.
"Is Emma crazy? How could she give such a thing on such an occasion? Isn't she just embarrassing the Matthew family?" "That's right, I heard she's not quite right in the head, so it's not surprising that she would do something so shameful!" "Exactly, I thought it was going to be something good, but I was disappointed!" A cold cough sounded, and it was Ethan. These people looked up and saw Ethan's sinister gaze, immediately shutting their mouths. Emma ignored these taunts and smiled as she picked up the first of the three paintings. "Grandfather, this is a scene my mother told me about, when she was 18 and you and grandmother were with her."
"This painting is my imagination of what it would be like for my mom, dad, and grandpa to celebrate my 18th birthday with me," Emma said, her voice slightly choked up.
She then picked up the last painting. The colors were bright and gave off a soft and peaceful feeling. The painting depicted Emma's father, Mr. Thompson, herself tightly nestled in Ethan's embrace, and their grown-up children.
"In giving you this painting, I hope to give it as a gift to you and Ethan, and to my children on the occasion of your birthday celebration. I hope that our family can always be together. You are all the most important and beloved people in my life.
As she spoke, she looked up at the audience and saw Ethan, who was holding both children, but she couldn't tell when he had arrived. He still had his usual cold expression, but she could see the tenderness in his eyes.
Since their marriage, this man had unconditionally tolerated all her little quirks and tantrums. In her past life, no matter how reckless she was, Ethan never left her side and even sacrificed his own legs for her.
This declaration of love in front of everyone undoubtedly announced their loving relationship. Emma, what are you trying to do? Is this all just another one of your deceptions and schemes?To leave him, she actually came up with such a method?
At the same time, Old Man Thompson's eyes moistened as he trembled while touching the paintings.
"Good, good. Being able to live a peaceful and joyful life is your mother's greatest wish. As for me, this old man, whether I can live to see you children turn eighteen or not, I can rest assured!"
His words held a deeper meaning. There were rumors about Emma and Ethan, which had also exhausted the old man's heart.
After speaking, he ordered someone to display the paintings to the crowd.
The guests who came to attend the birthday banquet were not only business tycoons, but also many celebrities in the art world.
Although Emma's paintings were simple, they showed extraordinary artistic accomplishment in both color and composition, not inferior to those of well-known painters!
In fact, Emma's mother was a famous painter, and she had inherited her mother's talent and graduated from a well-known art academy abroad.
But in her past life, under the brainwashing of Lily , she completely abandoned this talent and hurt Old Man Thompson's heart several times.
In this life, she would never repeat the same mistake!
She would make use of all the resources she had and become someone just as outstanding as Ethan, standing by his side all the time!
At this moment, Emma stood calmly beside Old Thompson.She looked like a medieval noblewoman stepping out of an oil painting, exuding an unapproachable air of nobility.
Meanwhile, the face of Lily twisted in anger, as the situation was completely different from the plot she had designed.