Chapter 106

James’s appearance didn't affect Thea at all. Since resolving her problem, she had summoned him. He was in a good mood, humming contentedly.

He soon arrived at Thea's house and knocked. Thea opened the door. Seeing James, she flung herself into his arms, weeping. The sight of a beautiful woman throwing herself at him, accompanied by her intoxicating scent, moved him. He put an arm around her shoulder, smiling.

"It's okay," he said. "Everything's okay now. Don't cry. You'll get puffy eyes."

Thea stopped crying and pulled him inside. Everyone was there, but they seemed ill at ease. James approached them.

"Dad, Mom," he said.

Gladys nodded. "Don't blame us, James. We had no choice."

"Mom, I don't blame you," James replied, smiling. "I only have myself to blame for not being able to help sooner." He genuinely didn't blame anyone, especially not Thea. He would accept anything she did; he felt indebted to her.

He sat down, took out two invitation cards, and passed them to Thea. "Thea, do you know Yuna Lawson?" he asked.

"Hmm?" Thea looked at the invitations, confused. "I think so. She was at university with me, two terms behind. She was the school belle—beautiful, from a prominent Capital family, I think. Why?"

"On my way home, I bumped into her," James explained. "She's having a birthday party at the Cansington Hotel tomorrow, and she invited you."

Thea unfolded the invitation. It was for her and James, signed by Yuna. She was bewildered. "I don't even know her. Why would she invite me?"

James shrugged. "How would I know? She delivered them in person, so I couldn't refuse."

A hint of jealousy flickered across Thea's face. "It makes more sense that she'd deliver it to me, since we were at the same university. Why you?"

Immediately, James said, "Thea, I promise I don't know her. I've never even seen her before."

"I'm just kidding," Thea said, "Look at you, all flustered."

Just then, Thea's phone buzzed with a flurry of group chat messages. She read them aloud.

"Oh my God, big news!" she exclaimed. "Our school belle sent me an invitation to her 25th birthday party at the Cansington Hotel tomorrow!"

More messages followed: "I got one too!" "Is this the same Yuna who was two terms behind us? The school belle? The one from the Capital? The current chairman of Longevity Pharmaceuticals?" "Yes, the delivery person said so! It's Yuna Lawson!"

The previously silent group chat exploded with activity. All her classmates had received invitations.

Thea was stunned. "Wh-what's going on? We barely knew Yuna. Why is she inviting all of us?"

Gladys glanced at Thea's phone. "I've heard of Longevity Pharmaceuticals," she said. "They're huge, second only to Celestial in Cansington. They're partners with the city's hospitals. Since Yuna invited you, go! It's a fantastic opportunity to expand your social circle."

Gladys was right, but Thea remained puzzled. Why would the chairman of Longevity Pharmaceuticals invite her and her classmates?

(The promotional text at the end has been removed as requested.)