Arthur turned around. Just his luck—he had run into the Gray family. Aside from Zac, the entire family was behind him, all staring at him with surprise. "You’re here for Zac’s birthday party?" Julie was the first to speak. Arthur replied calmly, "Yeah." The others glanced at the invitation in his hand, exchanging astonished looks. Every year, Arthur had refused to attend Zac’s birthday banquet, and Zac never wanted him there anyway. So why was Arthur here this year? And why did he have an invitation? "Zac gave you that?" Julie asked again. Arthur nodded. "Yeah." Rosie glanced at the departing bus, then at Arthur, eyes widening. "Did you take the bus here?" Arthur shot her a brief glance and nodded once more. "Yeah." Silence fell over the group. They had all arrived in their luxury cars, each with their own personal vehicle. Even Zac, who wasn’t legally an adult yet, had his own custom race car. Yet Arthur, the legitimate son of the Gray family, had arrived by bus. John’s gaze flickered to Arthur’s suit. He recognized it immediately. It was the very same one he had personally requested from Mr. Yoder last year, a custom piece gifted to Zac for his fifteenth birthday. Zac had loved it so much he rarely wore it. And yet, here it was, fitting Arthur perfectly. John sighed inwardly. Zac must have given it to Arthur as a peace offering. If Zac was willing to part with something that precious, it meant he was trying to make amends. Maybe it was time to give him another chance.Raelynn hesitated, about to say something, but Arthur had already turned away and stepped into the hotel without a second glance. John exhaled, shaking his head. "Let’s go inside. We can talk later." He still struggled to believe that Zac had bullied Arthur for eight years. But when it came to Arthur, there was undeniable guilt. Inside the grand ballroom, guests had already begun to arrive. The moment the Gray family entered, they became the center of attention. John, dressed in a custom-tailored suit, carried an air of sophistication. His face, though marked by age, only made him seem more authoritative. Raelynn wore a sleek black gown that accentuated her figure. Despite nearing fifty, her well-maintained beauty showed barely any signs of age. Julie had swapped her usual business attire for a matching black gown. The fitted dress highlighted her mature elegance. Rosie and Susie, on the other hand, wore pastel princess-style dresses, looking playful and charming. With grace and poise, they greeted their guests with perfect etiquette. Zac’s birthday banquet was being held at Glenford Hotel, the most prestigious venue in South City. Every influential figure in the city was in attendance. Arthur took in the lavishly decorated ballroom, the elites chatting and laughing over fine wine. He couldn’t help but find it ironic. Three days ago, he had been cursed at for asking for a simple birthday cake. Now, three days later, Zac—an adopted son—was being celebrated in the grandest hall in South City, surrounded by the most powerful people. Anyone unaware of the situation would assume Zac was the biological heir while Arthur was the outsider. When the time came, the host’s exaggerated voice echoed through the room, announcing the birthday boy’s entrance.Zac appeared, dressed in an extravagant custom suit, exuding the aura of a prince. Under the spotlight, he gracefully stepped into the ballroom. The moment he entered, his eyes immediately scanned the crowd. Then, he spotted Arthur sitting alone in a corner. His heart settled. Zac sneered internally. Arthur actually thought he could make a name for himself at this party? That their parents would introduce him to these high-society elites? Ridiculous. Zac strode confidently toward Arthur. He couldn’t wait any longer. After what had happened yesterday, he had noticed how people looked at him differently. He hated those looks. He wouldn’t allow himself to be seen that way—especially not at his own birthday party. He had to take control of the narrative again. As Zac moved toward Arthur, the crowd took notice. Their eyes followed him, landing on the young man sitting in the corner, quietly eating and checking his phone. When they saw Arthur’s face, realization dawned. Whispers spread through the room like wildfire. "That’s him—the real son of the Gray family, Arthur."