Everyone turned their heads at once, as if drawn by an invisible force.

Vincent walked in, dressed in a black satin suit that seemed to absorb the light around him. His sharp features and dark eyes gave him a cold, distant look.

At six-foot-three, he didn’t need to say a word to make his presence felt. His sheer size demanded attention, pulling the room’s focus toward him.

An almost eerie silence replaced the chatter that had previously filled the space.

A few people even began breathing more softly, as if not wanting to make a sound.

Neil’s gaze hardened, his eyes locking onto Vincent—the guest who wasn’t supposed to be there.

“I wasn’t expecting you, Mr. Adams,” Neil said, his tone cold. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t send you an invitation.”

Vincent looked at him briefly. His expression was unreadable, almost dismissive.

“It’s Mrs. Wheeler’s birthday. How could I miss that?” His voice was calm, but the tension in the room was undeniable.

Everyone knew about the long-standing rivalry between the Adams and Wheeler families. Their companies always seemed to be competing for the same deals.

The way they stared at each other made it clear that the fight wasn’t just in business. Even a glance between them was enough to make the rest of the room feel uneasy.

“Mr. Adams and Mr. Wheeler have been competing for years, and still, there’s no clear winner?” A quiet sigh escaped someone nearby.

“Right? Their approaches are almost the same. Lately, they’ve been fighting over this project called Paradise Island—a big resort makeover. Huge money in that one.”

“Wonder how long it’ll take before one of them comes out on top?”

Exclusive content available at g?lnσν?s?com

Katelyn heard the murmurs around her, the familiar names catching her attention.

As soon as the family photo was done, she got to her feet. Carol’s face remained calm, and her manner toward Vincent was polite but distant.

“Mr. Adams, you’re here too, I see,” she said, her tone measured.

Carol might have been older now, but she still kept up with what was happening in the world. The idea of Katelyn ending up with Vincent after the divorce unsettled her deeply.

She knew how much Katelyn was worth and wished she could find someone better.

Still, there was a selfish part of Carol that just didn’t want to let Katelyn go. If Vincent proved himself worthy, she wouldn’t stand in the way.

Vincent wasn’t bothered by Carol’s cool attitude. With their families competing for so long, her being cautious made sense.

“I’m here to celebrate your birthday,” he said warmly, “and I brought a gift.”

He gestured to Samuel, who quickly stepped forward, carrying a neatly wrapped present.

When the box was opened, the room filled with soft gasps of admiration.

Inside was a sculpture of a pine tree so realistic it seemed almost alive. The material shone like jade, but with a deeper, more vibrant glow.

Every branch and leaf was crafted with such detail that it spoke volumes about the artist’s skill.

Even Carol, who had seen more treasures than she could count, paused for a moment, genuinely impressed.

She reached out, letting her fingers brush against its smooth, cool surface. It was clear this was no ordinary piece.

Curiosity got the best of her, and she glanced up at Vincent.

“Is this some sort of rare glaze?” she asked, her tone cautious.

Vincent gave a small nod. “You’re right, Mrs. Wheeler. It is glaze.”

Katelyn leaned in, equally surprised, examining the sculpture more closely.

She knew glaze was an incredibly rare material, naturally formed like stalactites, and highly prized by collectors. It was usually sold by the gram, making it extremely valuable.

A single gram was worth the same as a hundred grams of gold. ?s s findnovel.net

This sculpture, large and expertly carved, was far more valuable than anything Carol had ever seen. Its price would easily start around ten million dollars.

Vincent’s extravagant gift left everyone stunned. Carol’s eyes shifted slightly as she pulled her hand away, giving a nod of approval.

“You’ve gone to great lengths to find this, Mr. Adams,” she said.

“I’m just glad you like it, Mrs. Wheeler.” Vincent’s expression stayed calm, his voice steady.

Though they were rivals, Carol still deserved his respect as an elder.

From his wheelchair, Neil watched the scene, his eyes cold and his jaw tight.

As a member of the Wheeler family, he felt Vincent’s display was more about showing him up than anything else.

Sensing the tension, Lise quickly stepped in with a cheerful smile.

“Carol, I’ve got a birthday gift for you as well,” she said.

Just as she signaled for her gift to be brought over, Carol’s frosty voice stopped her in her tracks.

.

.

.