Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Serena’s 20th Birthday
Outside the door, Gregory and Lillian received a reply that the old man from Orchid Court would arrive on time to celebrate Serena Sterling’s birthday.
Lillian quickly took out her phone to share this good news with Yasmine Sterling, who was ecstatic on the other end.
The two returned to the luxury car, and Gregory picked up his phone to call Serena. The call was swiftly answered, and Serena’s clear voice came through, "Hello, Dad."
"Serena, it’s like this. In a few days, it’ll be your 20th birthday. You and Yasmine share the same birth date. Dad has already prepared a grand birthday party for both of you. Arrive a bit earlier so Dad can celebrate for you properly."
On the other side, Serena curled her lips into a smile, "Sure, thanks, Dad."
After hanging up the call, Gregory exhaled a breath of relief. Everything was set, just waiting for the birthday day to arrive.
"Gregory, now you can be content, right? Our Yasmine has been ambitious since childhood. The birthday party day will be the day she becomes Mrs. Crawford," Lillian leaned gently against Gregory’s chest, speaking softly with laughter.
Since the scandal last time, Gregory and Lillian have been sleeping in separate rooms. Lillian was always waiting for the right time, and now with Yasmine’s affairs going smoothly, Gregory was delighted. She felt confident, and the time seemed right.
However, Gregory still held some concerns and reached out to nudge Lillian. "Lillian, stay away from me. Have you forgotten the good deeds you did in the past? You better behave yourself..."
"Gregory," Lillian’s hand fell on Gregory’s chest, sliding down as she showed a pitiful, innocent, and aggrieved expression, "It was all my fault in the past, and I already know my mistakes. But considering I gave you such a good daughter, Yasmine, please forgive me this once. You’re going to become the royal father-in-law, and I promise I will behave and wholeheartedly serve you."
Lillian had maintained her appearance well over the years, exuding feminine charm and allure. Under her initiative, Gregory felt somewhat compelled to reciprocate and considering Lillian’s contribution in giving birth to Yasmine, he allowed her to undo his belt...
...
The entire Sterling family was immersed in immense joy and anticipation while Serena hung up the phone. Beside her, Leah Thorne chuckled, "Serena, I find you really the cherished one. This time Mr. Crawford and that old lady from your family are joining forces to trick the Sterling family. I estimate their current joy will turn into misery on the birthday."
Serena tapped Leah’s forehead, "Weren’t you waiting for this day for a long time?"
...
Two days later, Serena Sterling’s 20th birthday arrived.
At midnight, her phone buzzed with a new WeChat message.
It was Hayden Crawford’s: Mrs. Crawford, happy birthday. You’re another year older.
Serena held her phone, still somewhat annoyed at being tricked into calling him "husband" in the room at the bar that day. Nevertheless, she felt sweet inside, as Mr. Crawford being attentive to celebrate her birthday at midnight was quite thoughtful.
Serena thanked Mr. Crawford.
Hayden then sent another, asking, "Look at the window."
What does that mean?
Serena got out of bed, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and pulled open the layers of curtains to look outside. Her pupils suddenly constricted at what she saw.
The midnight sky was still dark, but countless sky lanterns had floated up from the ground, resembling bright and dazzling stars lighting up all of Bayside.
Countless lights, breathtakingly beautiful.
At that moment, Leah brought in a bowl of longevity noodles and stood before the window, gasping, "Wow, Serena, I’ve seen many ways men woo women, but your Mr. Crawford is incredible. To celebrate your birthday, he lit up all of Bayside with sky lanterns. Tomorrow’s trending topic alert."
Just then came a "ding," Hayden’s WeChat message arrived again: "May the long lights never extinguish, together through the endless life."
On her 20th birthday, Serena embraced her phone by the floor-to-ceiling window, with her clear eyes filled with the starlight spread across the sky. Her lips curled into a smile, and she replied: "Mr. Crawford, please guide me through the future."
Serena ate the bowl of longevity noodles that her dear friend Leah had made. Leah, who never touches household chores, made them quite unpalatable, but Serena felt it was the finest delicacy. As she ate, she received many blessings.
The old lady wrapped a large red envelope for her, its trailing zeros nearly blurring her sight. Shania, Dean Lowell, and others sent her birthday wishes.
On her 20th birthday, Serena felt she had gained so much.
Love, family, friendship, all the warmth and affection she had long desired were here.
...
Early morning, Serena quickly went to The Sovereign Hotel. Today, Gregory once again went to great expense to book the most luxurious hall here to celebrate the birthdays of Serena and Yasmine. All the upper-class aristocrats of Bayside came to attend.
Today’s Weibo trending topics exploded early, with the top trend being "Sky lanterns light up Bayside," and under the hot comments were the ecstatic celebrations from Yasmine’s fans.
Today is a historic moment for me. Mr. Crawford lit up the city with sky lanterns to celebrate my darling Yasmine’s birthday.
I heard Mr. Crawford will also attend our Yasmine’s birthday party.
We wish for Mr. Crawford and Yasmine to marry on the spot.
Shhh, quiet down, Serena Sterling is also celebrating her birthday. She’s already pitiful enough after being kicked out, don’t make her feel worse.
I heard that old man from Orchid Court will come to celebrate Serena Sterling’s birthday too. There’ll be a good show, please live stream.
Serena saw the outside of The Sovereign Hotel bustling with activity. Many fans of Yasmine came, holding banners and flowers for Yasmine’s birthday, providing a grand spectacle.
Serena walked in and, from a distance, saw Yasmine surrounded by a group of Bayside’s socialites.
Yasmine, Mr. Crawford really is devoted to you, lighting up Bayside with sky lanterns is just too romantic!
I always knew Mr. Crawford was momentarily dazzled by that plain Serena Sterling. You are his true love.
Yasmine, don’t forget us when you become Mrs. Crawford.
Yasmine wore an elegant, floral long dress and had a crown on her head, tender and sweet, seemingly the little princess of this birthday party.
Her lips curved with a sweet smile; Hayden had said at the bar that he’d surprise her on her birthday. But she hadn’t expected he’d give her such a grand surprise, lighting up the city with sky lanterns.
Now the Weibo trends exploded. The Bayside socialites and heiresses who had once snidely mocked her were now trying to curry favor, surrounding her like she was the moon among stars. This feeling was truly wonderful.
At that moment, Yasmine looked up and saw Serena. She quickly smiled and said, "Serena, today Mr. Crawford used sky lanterns to celebrate for me. You’re not mad at me, are you?"