Chapter 20 Birthday Party

• It rained in Horington for an entire week. The perpetual gloomy and rainy days had everyone feeling downcast, for everything seemed damp and moldy.
• The rich aroma of coffee filled the CEO's office of Gardner Group.
• Raphael had just finished a meeting. He handed a signed document to Zane. “Have the finance department go through it once more. If there are no problems, have the legal department communicate with the other party.”
• “Understood.”
• “For Mr. Hache's project, ask for a reduction of another three percent. If they disagree, imply that Cloud Group is only in negotiations with us, and they're offering a much lower price.”
• “Understood. If everything goes according to plan, Mr. Hache's project is a sure thing. The business department is already sorting out the contract.”
• “Got it.” Raphael nodded, picking up his cup of coffee and taking a sip of it.
• “Oh yes, Mr. Gardner, this is an invitation from Ms. Cindy Truman.”
• Zane took out an invitation from the stack of documents in his arm and placed it on the desk. “It's her birthday this Saturday, and the Truman family is holding a birthday party at Lazuline Hotel.”
• “Cindy Truman?”
• “She's the female lead of the movie the company invested in previously. You once met her during the dinner among investors.”
• Raphael naturally knew of Cindy. Other than the movie investment, he was also aware that she was Elena's sister.
• “I know you're probably not interested in such an event, Mr. Gardner. At that time, I'll prepare a gift and deliver it over, saying that you're busy with work.”
• As Raphael stared at the invitation, his pupils constricted slightly. His thin lips parted a fraction. “No, it's okay. I'm free on Saturday.”
• Zane was wholly stunned. Some time passed before he managed to put away his shocked expression. “Understood. I'll notify them of your attendance, then.”
• Raphael didn't even touch the invitation on the desk. Instead, he picked up the report containing information pertaining to the two children's birth that had appeared on his desk a few days ago.
• As the man turned to the first page, their exact date of birth was printed on it.
• If I do a count of the time, it just so happens to be when Elena broke up with me and called off our engagement seven years ago. In other words, the two children could be mine?
• His face darkened frightfully, turning as black as thunder.
• It was sunny on Saturday, with nary a cloud in sight.
• Going by the location printed on the invitation, Elena arrived at the hotel way before the stipulated time.
• When she received the invitation mailed over by Cindy, she thought it had been wrongly sent to her. But her name and phone number matched, so it was indeed meant for her.
• Of course, it had occurred to her that Cindy definitely had ulterior motives for inviting her.
• However, the birthday party was her only chance to see her father, so she had to attend no matter what.
• The instant she stepped into the hall, she saw Cindy waving at her from afar. “Elena? Over here!”
• At the sight of the familiar figure behind her, Elena's heart clenched. She didn't even know how to walk anymore.
• Compared to seven years ago, her father had obviously aged significantly. His back was no longer ramrod straight, and the hair at his temples had gone white. Even with the distance between them, she could clearly see the changes in him.
• On the contrary, David's expression promptly turned chilly when he spotted Elena though he was still smiling a second ago.
• “Dad.” Elena walked over to him, but she didn't dare take another step forward.
• Guilt and self-reproach inundated her.
• At the side, the relatives recognized her at once. “Elena? It's really you, Elena! I've been scrutinizing you since you stepped in. I almost couldn't recognize you.”
• “Indeed. It's been many years since I've last seen you. Uncle David said you went abroad to study back then, and it's been seven years.”
• The relatives chattered non-stop, none noticing the tense atmosphere between the father and daughter.
• Cindy stood gracefully amidst the crowd. Smiling, she remarked, “You don't know this, Aunt Nora, but Elena is now an attending physician in the surgical department. She's an authoritative doctor who returned to the country from abroad, working at General Hospital. You'll know I'm speaking the truth if you make some inquiries.”
• Elena gaped at her, never having expected Cindy to speak up for her before their relatives.
• Hell must have frozen over!