Chapter 300 You Really Are Shameless
Josiah maintained his composure, his tone chilly and dismissive. "Tonight is Grandpa's birthday, so naturally, everything should revolve around him. Even when I missed these banquets in the past, my heart was always with Grandpa. Unlike some people who, despite being physically present, seem to only care about causing a spectacle, no matter the occasion."
His words were tinged with subtle ridicule, prompting several family members to suppress their chuckles.
"Josiah, could you elaborate? Exactly who are you referring to?" Hayden's laugh followed, masking his simmering anger. He was astute enough to catch the barb in Josiah's remark.
"All right, let's drop it." At this juncture, Felix intervened, keen to avoid any escalation into conflict during the celebration. "We're almost ready to begin, and most of our guests have arrived. Tonight's proceedings are crucial to our family's reputation, so I expect everyone to host impeccably. We cannot afford any mistakes!"
"Understood!" came the unified response from the family.
With that, the family members dispersed to attend to their duties.
Given Mason's disability, he was exempt from hosting duties, leaving Josiah and Xander to circulate among the guests.
As they walked together, Xander whispered to Josiah, "It's clear Hayden came prepared tonight. He might try to stir up trouble for you, so stay alert."
"Got it," Josiah acknowledged.
As the clock struck eight, the grand entrance saw a flurry of activity. The Blume family had rolled out a vibrant red carpet, and housekeepers lined the path, bowing warmly to welcome the guests streaming into the banquet hall.
Meanwhile, at Lockhart Villa, Madelyn was putting the finishing touches on her look with the help of a professional stylist. She donned an exquisite burgundy gown that, while seemingly understated at first glance, beautifully highlighted her elegant figure.
Stepping into the well-lit room, her appearance transformed. The dress, adorned with delicate scales, caught the light, scattering twinkling specks around her. The effect was mesmerizing.
Her necklace, a gift from Sebastian, shimmered against her neck, making her look like a celestial being draped in starlight.
"How do I look?" Madelyn twirled in front of Sebastian, her smile radiating under the starlit effect.
"Stunning," Sebastian replied, visibly captivated by her beauty.
Madelyn beamed, then embraced Sebastian, murmuring, "You know, you’ve completely swept me off my feet."
In the past, Madelyn had her share of encounters with handsome men, often the subject of her admiration. Yet, none could compare to Sebastian, who wore his suit with a grace and dignity that seemed unparalleled. It was overwhelming.
Hand in hand, the dazzling couple then set off for the evening’s event.
At the Blume residence, the venue was abuzz with guests. Felix navigated through the crowd, engaging warmly with the numerous attendees.
Just then, a couple entered, hand in hand, their striking appearance capturing the attention of everyone. He exuded an air of untouchable nobility, while she seemed as though she had descended from the heavens, her presence ethereal.
The crowd’s attention shifted as if by reflex to the captivating duo, and whispers and speculations about their identities filled the air.
"Madelyn!" Josiah called out as he approached with Tristan, followed by Jillian.
"Jillian, you're here too?" Madelyn was pleasantly surprised.
"I didn't really want to come," Jillian admitted. "I didn't have the right gown and thought I'd stick out awkwardly, but Tristan insisted and even picked out this dress for me."
Madelyn appraised Jillian’s attire – a delicate, small white dress that made her skin glow like porcelain. "Not bad. Tristan, you do have good taste," she commented, a playful edge in her tone.
Tristan just chuckled, a bit sheepishly. "It's nothing really."
Of course, I’d put my heart into picking a dress for someone I like.
Their laughter filled the air, and seeing them so happy, Sebastian chose not to interrupt. "I’ll go say hello to Old Mr. Blume first. You guys enjoy and catch up with me later."
"All right," Madelyn agreed with a nod.
Nearby, Josiah’s elder brothers observed Madelyn with great interest and couldn’t contain their enthusiasm.
"Is that the young lady who's turned Josiah around? She's absolutely stunning!" Xander remarked in awe.
"Look at Josiah," noted Mason, chuckling. "He's clearly smitten, even if he won't admit it."
"Let's go over and take a closer look," Xander suggested.
Mason was thinking along the same lines, so they decided to approach together.
Meanwhile, Madelyn was playfully chiding Josiah. "Look at you, all dressed up for once. It's a rare sight!"
"Whatever!" Josiah shot back with a hint of pride. "I've always been handsome, okay? It's just that you've been too blind to notice."
Madelyn laughed teasingly. "Oh, please, you really are shameless."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked, "By the way, where's Hayden tonight?"
The mere mention of Hayden caused Josiah’s demeanor to change instantly; his face set into an expression of annoyance.
With a reluctant motion, he pointed toward a particular area of the gathering. "Over there," he muttered, his dissatisfaction evident.
Madelyn turned to look where Josiah had indicated and saw a young man in a military uniform, actively engaging with a group of prominent guests.
The uniform he wore was particularly striking, drawing the eye and earning him numerous commendations from the onlookers.
As Hayden reveled in the attention, displaying a marked confidence, the guests around him were quick to praise his potential and bright future. Each compliment seemed to inflate his ego further, his face glowing with a self-satisfied smirk.
Observing this, Josiah’s expression grew even darker. "Back when my older brother was in charge, everyone used to lavish him with attention. Now, they’ve all turned to fawn over Hayden. It’s repulsive, isn’t it?"
Hearing Josiah’s bitter tone, Madelyn sensed his growing frustration. She stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on his cheek. "Josiah," she said softly, "remember, tonight is about celebrating your grandfather. You need to stay composed, for his sake."