Wake Up Leave The Liar novel Chapter 101

Chapter 79

Ashley and Steve knew this was a family reunion.

Yet, someone significant was missing.

Ashley looked away, her eyes welling up slightly. To maintain the cheerful atmosphere, they avoided mentioning Lucy.

By nine, close friends and family began to arrive.

A formal dinner would be held later at a reserved restaurant.

While Ashley greeted guests, Henry, Steve’s son, noticed that Sam was quiet. He patted Sam’s cheek. “Sam, what’s wrong? You seem distracted.”

Ashley knew he was missing Tanya. Sam had obeyed Chase and stayed here, but his mind was elsewhere. He’d texted Tanya repeatedly, but Tanya seemed busy and hadn’t replied much.

In the afternoon, they went to the restaurant.

Around six, guests started arriving. Steve received gifts and seated guests, but one guest looked uncomfortable. “My apologies, Mr. Jones. I have another celebratory dinner to attend; I’ll just have a quick drink and leave.”

Steve and Ashley understood and didn’t press him.

They thought it was an isolated incident.

However, half an hour later, many business associates presented their gifts and departed, some even sending gifts via their secretaries.

They’d reserved numerous tables; a significant portion would be empty.

A joyful occasion, a meticulously planned birthday celebration, marred by this…

Amanda wouldn’t like this. Steve could understand their unavoidable prior engagements, but their early departures were upsetting.

Seeing so many rush off to another celebration, Steve asked a close associate, “Mr. Bruce, just like you, many guests said they couldn’t stay for dinner because of another celebratory event. May I ask which celebration you’re attending?”

Could it be the same one the others were going to? The timing was too coincidental.

The Holden family’s,” Mr. Bruce said, adding, “The family Mr. Chase Sterling’s girlfriend came from. They’re from another city and recently purchased a property here. Today’s their housewarming party.”

Ashley and Steve’s faces fell. They’d thought the villa incident was over. The Holden family had clearly orchestrated this!

They didn’t believe this was a coincidence. Mary and Amanda had known each other for years and had celebrated countless birthdays together. Would the Holdens forget Amanda’s birthday? No. They’d deliberately scheduled the housewarming for today!

Mr. Bruce was unaware of their history with the Holden and Jones families. He understood Steve’s dismay at the half-empty restaurant. He lowered his voice. There’s nothing we can do. The Holdens have Mr. Sterling’s backing. Invitations were sent to us. We aren’t close to The Holdens, but who dares to disrespect Mr. Sterling? Steve, I had no choice…”

Not attending, or leaving early, would be disrespectful. With Chase possibly marrying Tanya soon, offending the Holdens would mean offending both Tanya and Chase-something they couldn’t afford.

Some people were afraid to offend Chase.

Others were eager to curry favor with the Monds and Holdens. What was more, the Jones family’s decline in recent years was known to everyone. Mr. Bruce apologized to Steve and left. Amanda and Mandy didn’t notice that at first. But as more guests left, and the dinner was about to begin, the sparse number of remaining guests became obvious. Amanda and Mandy approached, frowning. “Why have so many guests left? What happened?” Steve and Ashley hesitated, unsure how to explain. But they had to.

The Holdens and Monds have relocated to the city, and the Holdens scheduled their housewarming for today. They sent invitations to most of our guests… Steve explained.

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