Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Jacob immediately signaled the butler to move to the next part of the program: the cake-cutting and birthday wishes. This maneuver was meant to guilt any would-be deserters into staying—after all, leaving during such a moment would feel impolite. At the emcee's cue, Jacob's daughter descended the grand staircase, her movements slow and deliberate, like a princess making her royal debut. Draped in a white gown that shimmered under the chandelier and wearing impeccable makeup, she exuded an ethereal charm. Yet the applause that followed was half-hearted at best, and most of the guests' minds were elsewhere, already distracted by the brewing drama. Melody's expression remained perfectly cordial, but behind her practiced smile lay a simmering hatred for the young lady descending the stairs. Meanwhile, Jayden arrived at the Whitewood Residence, carrying the gift from Thomas. By now, the attendants stationed at the entrance were loitering idly, convinced that anyone important had already arrived and that no new guests would be showing up. When Jayden's car pulled to a stop, the attendants exchanged puzzled looks before one stepped forward. "Good evening, sir. May I see your invitation?" he asked politely. Jayden handed it over. Though the invitation was in his name, the weight behind his presence came from the family he represented. "Please inform Mr. Whitewood that I'm here on behalf of the Foster Family from Pearlpoint to deliver birthday greetings to Miss Seraphina." The moment the attendant heard the mention of Pearlpoint, his demeanor shifted. Only those with significant clout dared announce themselves with such an address. "One moment, sir," he said, hurrying off to relay the message.When the butler heard it, his expression flickered with astonishment. Wasting no time, he made his way to Oberon, who was deep in conversation with a group of guests. "Mr. Whitewood," the butler announced loudly, "someone from the Foster Family from Pearlpoint has come to deliver a gift for Miss Seraphina." The room went silent, and a ripple of shock spread among the attendees, who thought they had collectively misheard. "Who did you say?" Oberon asked, his voice betraying a rare note of disbelief. "The Foster Family from Pearlpoint." A gasp went through the crowd. The Foster Family from Pearlpoint stood as equals to the Drakon Family. Even more intimidating was the reputation of the family's main branch's three sons—icons of wealth, power, and influence in the upper echelons of society. Snapping out of his daze, Oberon turned to his guests. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I'll be back shortly to greet our honored visitor." As he walked off, the crowd erupted into excited whispers, speculating wildly. Not long after, Oberon returned with Jayden in tow. The moment they entered, guests flocked toward them like moths to a flame. Jayden's gaze, however, landed immediately on Jason, whose presence radiated authority even in a crowded room. With a knowing smile, Jayden strode toward him. "Mr. Drakon, it's been a while." "Mr. Smith," Jason replied, his tone even, "I trust you've been well?" "Well enough, thank you." "Are you here as a representative of the Foster Family today?" Jason asked, his expression calm but his curiosity piqued. Since when did the Whitewood Family have ties to the Foster Family? Jayden chuckled. "That's right." The surrounding crowd buzzed with awe as they heard Jayden's reply. While no one from the Foster Family had come in person, Jayden's role as head of one of their subsidiaries gave him the authority to represent them. More importantly, without explicit approval from the Foster Family, he wouldn't dare claim such an affiliation. At the Hall Family's party, the tension was palpable as a guest's phone buzzed. After reading a message, the guest let out a startled whisper. "The Foster Family sent someone to the Whitewood Family's party." "What?" Those nearby froze, stunned. "Why would the Foster Family send someone to the Whitewood Family?" The revelation hit like a tidal wave. Some guests had already been regretting their decision to attend the Hall Family's event after hearing about Jason's presence at the Whitewood Family's party. Now, with the Foster Family also involved, that regret turned into visible frustration. "I should've gone to the Whitewood Family's party," someone muttered bitterly. "All this for the birthday party of an illegitimate daughter? We've wasted our time here." Quietly, some guests began excusing themselves under various pretenses, discreetly informing their hosts before making their way to their cars. Their destination? The Whitewood Residence, where it seemed all the opportunities awaited.