The Tycoon's Gutsy Wife

Chapter 20: Birthday Party

Adeline stared at the Donovan mansion, where she’d grown up with her parents before being married off to Theodore.

The place was sparkling with beautiful lights that made it look like a castle. Several cars were parked in the estate, all there to attend her little sister, Hazel’s birthday.

Adeline had been a little shocked to get an invitation letter, especially since she rarely got invitations to family events after getting married.

She couldn’t remember the last time she attended her father’s birthday or her mother’s birthday. They didn’t even bother to check up on her as soon as she walked down the aisle with her grandfather all because her father was too ashamed of doing so.

She’d been confused about whose shame he was feeling. She’d been thinking he was too ashamed of himself because he couldn’t handle the business, and that’s why his father had to find a potential someone by selling her off.

But it turned out he was ashamed of her. He felt she didn’t deserve a happy wedding, not like she wanted to get married in the first place but that was a waste of thought since his favoritism sparkled even more after her wedding, showering her little sister with all the love, completely forgetting her.

Adeline huffed, gently shaking her head once the memories of what had happened seven years ago started to surface.

She had no idea why she was invited since they weren’t even on good terms in the first place, but she’d decided to go.

The mansion was just like the way she’d left it.

Everything looked the same since she was eighteen. It was bustling with guests which was the only thing that made her feel awkward. Other than that, the chandeliers were hanging in the right places. Gifts were dropped on the gift table which was starting to look like a mountain peak at this point.

Flowers were everywhere. Hazel loved flowers, and as the favorite child, she always got whatever she wanted.

Adeline couldn’t help but snort.

She held on to her little box of gifts and walked towards the gift table.

She noticed a few glances here and there, their tongues were probably filled with questions on why she was present at her sister’s birthday.

"Sister, I didn’t know you were coming." Adeline suddenly heard that voice. It was none other than Hazel.

She turned to find Hazel, dressed in a ballroom gown so large that five people could use it as a form of shelter, yet no one would know about it.

Hazel smiled at Adeline, the gesture barely touching her eyes as she came forth and touched cheeks with her older sister like it were a habit.

"Long time no see, sister. You barely have time for me since you caught your husband cheating on you," Hazel’s voice was deliberately loud, gaining the attention of the guests who were nearby.

Adeline didn’t know what Hazel was up to, but if she thought she could embarrass her for simply not keeping a marriage, then she was certainly wrong.

Since their divorce had not been finalized yet, no one from the high-class families knew about the differences the Westwood and Donovan families were having.

"You look beautiful, Hazel," Adeline replied, completely ignoring her earlier comment. "You’re turning twenty-two yet you still dress like you’re sixteen. You do know that you have a reputation to keep. Don’t you think it’s time for you to grow up?" Adeline asked, her grin stretching when she saw Hazel’s smile falter.

Hazel’s cheeks flushed red but Adeline didn’t say anything anymore. She simply placed her gift on the table and turned to leave.

Her sister and she never got along because of the favoritism their parents didn’t bother to keep hidden.

However, that didn’t mean Adeline was just going to stand there and watch Hazel insult her—or rather, try to insult her.

Just like Hazel, Adeline had made sure to keep her voice a little higher as well, and now some of the guests were judging Hazel’s attire.

Adeline had to go see her parents, but she didn’t want to. Nothing but arguments were going to occur between them, but since she’d been invited by them, she had no choice but to go.

Right where they were standing, Theodore was there, with other influential guests surrounding them.

Adeline sighed.

She should have expected to see him there. Even after hurting her, her parents still accepted him with open arms, completely ignoring her, not caring enough to ask her about her own feelings.

Their words during the family meeting at her grandfather’s estate rang in her mind. They’d expected her to still stay in a marriage such as hers even after everything.

Adeline had come to realize that looking at her family triggered her rage, so she simply turned to leave, but it was too late.

Theodore had already recognized her from the crowd.

He didn’t need to call her, all he needed to do was march towards her and stop her by pulling her hand.

And he did.

Adeline turned to glare at him so hard that he didn’t know when he took his hand from her wrist.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice low but firm.

If it had been other times, then perhaps she would already be blushing like a fool. Instead, his compliment felt like an insult.

She looked beautiful enough to lie to her, and she believed everything that fell out of his mouth like an idiot she was.

"I didn’t think you would be coming here. You should have called me so I could come pick you up from your grandfather’s estate."

’What’s he up to?’ She couldn’t help but wonder.

"The only reason you’re still being allowed in his estate is because of the days you have to drop Ian off from school, other than that, he’s already instructed his security to throw you out of his property," she informed.

His face hardened into a scowl, before a grin stretched on his lips.

’Typical Donovan,’ he thought.