Since 6 p.m., guests had slowly filled the Cooper manor. The living hall, splendidly decorated, exuded extravagance. As time passed, the hall grew increasingly crowded. Miguel, impeccably dressed in a black suit, moved among the guests, greeting them warmly. However, Michelle, the star of the evening, remained absent.

Her absence went unnoticed. Michelle was not one to draw attention, not even tonight. Indeed, many guests considered the birthday party a mere pretext for an invitation, dismissing Michelle's birthday as insignificant. Consequently, no one inquired about her whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the Sawyer family arrived, elegantly attired. Loretta's flamboyant long red gown immediately captivated everyone's attention; her feisty demeanor was softened by an elegant smile, masking her evident pleasure at the flattery.

Miguel quickly approached them. "Lee, you're here," he said.

"Sorry for being late," Loretta replied. "The traffic was terrible."

"No apologies needed," Miguel assured her. "You're just in time."

After some conversation, Loretta asked passionately, "Where's Michelle?"

"She's still getting ready," Miguel responded. "She'll be down shortly."

"I've prepared a gift for her," Loretta added, her usual guarded exterior momentarily slipping.

"You shouldn't have," Miguel thanked her warmly.

He then greeted Robert with great enthusiasm: "Robert, welcome! It's an honor to see you here."

"Nonsense," Robert replied. "How could I miss my wife's birthday?"

Robert, Oscar's father and head of one of the four wealthiest families, arrived with his wife, Venus Wells, and sons: David, Thomas, and Oscar. Each son greeted Miguel politely.

Miguel, amiable as ever, complimented Oscar: "I saw your presentation yesterday. I was impressed."

"I'm flattered," Oscar replied humbly. "It was just luck."

"That wasn't just luck," Miguel countered. "You're smart and bright."

Robert chuckled, "You need to stop praising him, Miguel. He'll get cocky. He'll need to keep up with your future son-in-law."

"Shall I remind you that excessive humility is also a form of cockiness?" Miguel quipped, subtly avoiding mention of Charles.

Simultaneously, Edward arrived with his family: Justine, Susan, Henry, and Manuel. Edward greeted Robert, expressing surprise at his presence. The Wells family, now led by the eldest son, rarely attended social events.

"Well, since you're here, how could I not be?" Robert joked.

Lee joined them, completing the gathering of Northfield's four wealthiest families: the Wells, Cooper, Phillips, and Sawyer families. Their collective wealth concentrated them in the bustling city of Kensbury.

Beyond these four, Northfield boasted two other prominent, established families—the Balderstons and the Collinses—who resided in North End City, the region's most powerful city. These old families and the wealthy families had limited interaction, due to geographic separation and distinct business interests.

However, an unspoken interdependence existed: the wealthy families needed the old families' protection, while the old families desired the wealthy families' financial resources. The wealthy families aspired to join the ranks of the established families, while the old families sought to control the wealthy families' assets. Their true relationship remained ambiguous, clear only if both combined. This was a desire mirrored in Charles's past life; he'd aimed to bridge this divide.

Hannah, observing the gathering from the second-floor stairwell, felt a pang of uncertainty. Seeing these influential figures in her home made Charles seem ordinary. She questioned her past unwavering support, wondering if she'd unduly elevated him. In this life, Charles would not achieve such a status.

Composing herself, Hannah took Michelle's hand. Suddenly, the hall plunged into darkness. A spotlight illuminated two figures on the second floor—Hannah and Michelle, resplendent in black and white gowns respectively, their beauty breathtaking.

Soft music filled the air as they descended the stairs on a red carpet. Michelle, nervous under the spotlight, was utterly unprepared for the spectacle, having expected only a quiet dinner with Miguel. She carefully followed Hannah's lead.

At the bottom of the stairs, Miguel stood waiting, looking remarkably well-preserved for a man in his fifties. With a graceful bow, he extended his hand, offering the ultimate chivalrous gesture to the most important woman in his life.

Stunned by the surprise, Michelle hesitated. Hannah gently placed Michelle's hand in Miguel's. The orchestra began a beautiful melody as Miguel led Michelle onto the dance floor, their first dance captivating the guests. Their elegant dance was met with astonishment and immediate gossip:

"Is that Michelle? She looks completely different." "That tiara! Is that the thirty-million sapphire from the charity banquet?" "She can dance?" "This birthday party is amazing!"

Somewhere in the hall, someone's envy burned bright.