Chapter 758: Chapter 390: We’re Husband and Wife—No Need for Thanks (First Update)
The taste buds were awakened one by one, indulging in the feast of flavors.
Unfortunately, each appetizer was so small that it was practically gone in one bite.
But because of the high-calorie content, Lawrence Winters was already full after finishing the appetizers.
When the main courses were served, there were four dishes to choose from.
For instance, minced raw beef seasoned with salt, pepper, and sauce, or fresh slices of raw veal flavored with olive oil and lemon juice. Indeed, it’s raw meat, pure raw meat.
Additionally, there were two cooked meat dishes, red wine braised beef and pan-fried steak.
The first two dishes relied on the ingredients, not the freshest and safest raw meat, impossible to provide to the distinguished guests present.
The latter two dishes depended on the chef’s skills, making simple home-style dishes taste like masterpieces was the real art.
Lawrence Winters didn’t touch raw meat; she chose the red wine braised beef, enjoying the ingredients with diced black pork and small mushrooms.
Sister Three Billion chose the pan-fried steak.
Safe choice, not prone to failure.
Most others at the table opted for the minced raw beef or fresh slices of raw veal.
Mrs. Foster was the most unique; she directly declined the chef’s four main course options and asked if they had pan-seared duck breast.
The guests’ requests are usually met as long as they’re not too outrageous, and the chef team’s pan-seared duck breast was also exceptional.
So it was quickly served.
Western dining didn’t adhere to the concept of "silence during meals," so while enjoying the food, everyone chatted.
On the steps in one corner of the restaurant, a band was performing lively background music.
Since it was Ruby Sheldon’s birthday party, after everyone had a few bites, Aiden Sheldon stood up, walked to the steps where the Fortune Pavilion Restaurant band was, raised his glass, smiled at the ladies’ table, and said, "Good evening, everyone."
"I’m very happy that everyone could come to join my daughter Ruby’s twenty-first birthday celebration."
"Twenty-one years ago today, my precious daughter was born. I’m grateful to Heaven, to the deities, and most importantly, to my wife, Autumn."
"It was she who gave me such a flawless daughter. I couldn’t ask for more."
"Betty is the best daughter I could imagine."
"Thank you, Autumn."
He raised his glass towards Autumn Stetford and took a sip himself.
In that instant, Autumn Stetford’s face seemed to light up.
She looked at Aiden Sheldon with deep affection, her gaze tender; anyone with eyes could see she dearly loved her husband, Aiden Sheldon.
"You’re too kind, Aiden; there’s no need for thanks between us as husband and wife. Betty is also my daughter, and I love her even more than you do." Autumn Stetford stood up as well, raised her glass, and steadied next to Aiden Sheldon, addressing all the guests, "Thank you everyone for attending Betty’s twenty-first birthday celebration. We, as a couple, toast to everyone!"
Together with Aiden Sheldon, she raised her hand, and they both drank their wine in one gulp.
All the guests raised their glasses towards Aiden Sheldon and Autumn Stetford and followed suit, drinking their wine down.
Ruby Sheldon was overwhelmed with excitement.
All the embarrassment she felt today was utterly gone in that moment.
After everyone finished drinking, she stood up, went to the steps where the band was, and raised her glass to all the guests, saying, "Thank you, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters, for taking time to attend my birthday celebration. Thanks to everyone’s great fortune, I toast to you all."
After speaking, she emptied her glass and showed everyone the bottom of her glass, "Please enjoy on your own, hope you like tonight’s menu. Enjoy!"
She smiled and nodded, but as she was walking down the steps, she suddenly swayed, as if she couldn’t keep her balance.
"Betty!"
"Betty!"
Aiden Sheldon and Autumn Stetford hadn’t returned to their seats; seeing this, they rushed over immediately.
Aiden Sheldon moved with surprising speed, almost instantaneously reaching Ruby Sheldon, holding her and asking with concern, "...Betty, what’s wrong? Are you okay?"
Ruby Sheldon rubbed her temples and tried to smile, saying, "Dad, I’m fine, just felt dizzy for a moment."
"Betty, why are you feeling dizzy again? Didn’t the doctor say you were already better?" Autumn Stetford held onto Ruby Shel’s other arm, "Let me call the doctor again to check."
Ruby Sheldon grabbed Autumn Stetford’s hand, shook her head and said quickly, "Mom, I’m really fine; it’s just that I almost twisted my ankle when stepping down, that’s why I felt dizzy for a bit. I’m perfectly okay physically."
"You little one, pretending to be fine even when you’re feeling unwell, why not go back and rest?" Aiden Sheldon felt Ruby Sheldon didn’t want him to worry, so she changed her words.
Ruby Sheldon, of course, didn’t want that, and quickly said, "I’m really okay, Dad, although I’m not comfortable sitting at Mom’s table, could I sit together with you?"
She hugged Aiden Sheldon’s arm and began to act spoiled.
Aiden Sheldon was puzzled, "What’s wrong with your mom’s table? Is the air conditioning too low, or are the seats too hard, or is the table too high?"
Ruby Sheldon: "..."
Autumn Stetford knew Ruby’s intention, laughing lightly, "...Someone is too annoying, and Betty prefers not to see them."
"Who dares to upset Betty today?" Aiden Sheldon said calmly, glancing towards Autumn Stetford and Ruby Sheldon’s table.
Lawrence Winters’ elegant posture came into his view.
Autumn Stetford naturally wouldn’t openly criticize Lawrence Winters, especially when Mrs. Foster was determined to support Lawrence. She had to show respect, so she merely smiled softly and said, "It wasn’t intentional, but Betty feels stifled, let her be joyful, today is her birthday after all."
Aiden Sheldon withdrew his gaze, responded with a "Hmm," "Of course, you can sit wherever you like."
He brought Ruby Sheldon back beside his own seat and sent Ryan Sheldon away, saying, "Go sit with your mom, Betty wants to sit with me."
Ryan Sheldon was happily chatting with Edward Foster when suddenly pulled up by his dad.
Just as he was about to get angry, he saw his father’s stern glare and his sister’s pitifully sweet smile, and couldn’t muster any anger.
Upon reconsideration, he could chat with Sister Three Billion over there, so he quickly nodded, said, "Then I’ll go sit over with Sister Three Billion!"
Finished speaking, he walked over cheerfully.
Since Ryan Sheldon left, Edward Foster’s gaze more frequently shifted towards Lawrence Winters’ side.
He wanted to go over but lacked an excuse.
His continual glances were so frequent that some ladies on that side misunderstood, starting to fix their makeup with small mirrors.
Gabriel Foster couldn’t stand it and kicked him several times under the table, prompting him to retract his gaze.
After Ryan Sheldon left, Ruby Sheldon didn’t sit at his place but sweetly said to Aiden Sheldon, "Dad, could you sit in Second Brother’s seat? I haven’t seen Uncle in a while, want to catch up."
Evan Stetford’s seat coincidentally was on the other side of Aiden Sheldon.
She blinked her slightly lighter brown eyes, smiling innocently.
Aiden Sheldon’s heart softened, nodded, sat in Ryan Sheldon’s seat, and Ruby Sheldon sat in Aiden Sheldon’s seat.
The most important first seat of today’s event.
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This is the first update, there’ll be three updates today.
The second update is dedicated to the new Alliance Hierarch "xin Crystal xin," the third update at 7:30 PM.
Thanks to Alliance Hierarch "12477’s" generous reward!
Group kisses!
