Chapter 351: Attending the Charity Banquet Together
Life gradually returned to a state of calm.
Sean Sterling actively cooperated with his doctors, and his health slowly improved.
After being discharged from the hospital, he stuck to a healthy and structured routine. He worked out daily, sweating out the despair and dejection that had built up in his heart.
He gradually returned to his former calm and mature self.
He didn’t deliberately seek out news of Isla Griffith. He didn’t want to pressure her or cause her any trouble, allowing her to relax and recuperate properly.
After Isla Griffith left Aston, her apartment remained empty.
Sean Sterling knew the door code. He went over every day on schedule to open the windows and air out the place, cleaning every corner of the home until it was spotless.
He watered the plants on the balcony, cleaned the stuffed dolls on the sofa, and tidied the wardrobe and bookshelves...
He maintained the apartment just as it was, as if Isla Griffith had never left at all.
Sean Sterling was patient and persistent. He believed that one day, Isla Griffith would return.
He eagerly awaited the arrival of that day.
...
Sunlight streamed through the French windows, spilling onto the cashmere rug in the living room.
Wren Sutton was organizing the walk-in closet in the bedroom, while Adrian Lancaster played with Owen and Nina in the living room.
The doorbell rang softly, and a maid went to answer it.
Adrian Lancaster’s assistant, Kevin Dawson, walked in and respectfully handed Adrian a red invitation.
"President Lancaster, this is an invitation to a gala dinner sent over specially by the General Charity Association. It’s tonight at seven-thirty at The Zenith Hotel. The organizers have repeatedly requested your presence."
Adrian Lancaster took the invitation, glanced at it casually, and refused without hesitation. "I’m not going."
These days, he had no interest in socializing; he only wanted to be at home with his wife and children.
Kevin Dawson hesitated for a moment before saying cautiously, "President Lancaster, this gala is on an unprecedented scale. The official media will be covering it from start to finish, so it’s attracting a great deal of attention. Many prominent families are attending with their spouses."
That last sentence made Adrian Lancaster waver.
He had rarely brought Wren Sutton to these kinds of high-profile public events before, which led to people in their social circle still gossiping about Mrs. Lancaster’s identity. Some didn’t even know who Wren Sutton was.
He had been looking for a suitable opportunity to publicly announce Wren Sutton’s identity and give her the recognition she deserved.
But a lot had been going on recently, and he’d put it off until now.
On second thought, Adrian Lancaster realized tonight’s charity gala was a perfect opportunity.
"Reserve a table for two. I’m taking my wife."
Kevin Dawson immediately nodded. "Yes, President Lancaster."
During lunch, Adrian Lancaster brought up the gala.
"Honey, I’m taking you to The Zenith Hotel tonight for a charity gala."
Wren Sutton paused, her chopsticks hovering over a dish. "I don’t really want to go. I’d rather stay home with the children."
For one, she never really liked those kinds of occasions. Most people were just putting on a show behind false masks. They called it charity, but it was really about exchanging favors.
For another, she wasn’t ready to attend a public event with Adrian Lancaster, especially a business-related gala.
A flash of disappointment crossed Adrian Lancaster’s heart, but he didn’t blame Wren Sutton, and he certainly wouldn’t force her.
He pretended not to care. "If you’re not going, then I won’t go either. We can stay home with the kids together."
That wasn’t what Wren Sutton meant. She looked up at him. "You can go. Don’t let me stop you."
Adrian Lancaster shook his head. "It’s no fun going alone."
Wren Sutton was speechless.
"Everyone else is bringing their spouse. I don’t want to be the odd one out. We can go together next time, whenever you feel like it. Let’s just skip this one."
After he spoke, Adrian Lancaster began placing food on Wren’s plate, his expression calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.
"Eat more fish. I cooked it for you myself today. Tell me how it tastes."
Wren Sutton was surprised. "You made this fish?"
Adrian Lancaster nodded. "Mhm. The nanny made the other dishes, but I made the fish."
Wren Sutton took a bite. It tasted familiar.
"Is it good?" Adrian Lancaster asked, his voice full of anticipation.
"It’s delicious," Wren Sutton said honestly. "It tastes a lot like the fish my dad makes."
"That’s because Dad taught me how to make it."
Wren Sutton was even more surprised. "When did my dad teach you? How come I didn’t know?"
Adrian Lancaster smiled dotingly and placed another piece of fish on her plate.
"I was on a video call with Dad, and he gave me a live lesson. You were in the bedroom, so you didn’t know."
"Oh, so that’s how it was."
Wren Sutton lowered her head and ate the fish with relish.
The flavor was exquisite. The fish had been prepared so there wasn’t the slightest hint of a fishy smell, and the meat was tender and smooth.
She ate almost the entire fish by herself, barely touching the other dishes.
After lunch, the maid cleared the table.
Wren Sutton cleared her throat, her heart softening as she looked at Adrian Lancaster.
"That charity gala tonight... do you really want to go?"
Adrian Lancaster looked at her affectionately and took her hand. "It’s not that I want to go. It’s that I want to go *with you*."
Wren Sutton was silent for a few seconds before asking, "What time?"
"Seven-thirty."
"Can we be done before ten?" She didn’t want to be out too late. For one, she’d be tired, and for another, she worried about the children.
"It won’t be that late. We’ll just stay for a little while. Whenever you want to leave, I’ll take you home. You’re the boss," Adrian Lancaster said earnestly, making it clear that everything depended on her wishes.
Wren Sutton nodded and gave a soft "mhm."
"Adrian Lancaster, since you went to the trouble of making fish just for me, I’ll go with you tonight."
...
That evening, the highly anticipated charity gala was held in the grand ballroom on the top floor of The Zenith Hotel.
The ballroom was brightly lit. A giant crystal chandelier cast a cascade of brilliant, glittering light, creating a beautiful and luxurious atmosphere.
The air was filled with the scent of perfume, the sight of elegant figures, and the sound of clinking glasses.
A melodious symphony drifted slowly through the air.
Celebrities and socialites from all walks of life, dressed in haute couture, chatted and laughed, exuding the elegance and decorum of high society.
Adrian Lancaster wore a black, custom-tailored suit. The cut was sharp, his aura noble, and his presence powerful and aloof.
He held Wren Sutton’s hand tightly, protectively staying by her side.
Wren Sutton wore a champagne-colored satin gown. Her long hair was pinned up, revealing a slender, fair neck and delicate collarbones.
Her makeup was simple and elegant. A natural beauty, she had no need for heavy cosmetics.
Her posture was poised, her demeanor graceful and elegant.
Standing side by side, they were the center of attention.
Although Adrian Lancaster was not currently managing the company, having handed over full control of the group to his younger brother, Julian Lancaster, it did not affect his status in Aston one bit. He remained a god-like figure whose position was unshakable.
The head of the organizing committee personally came to the ballroom entrance to greet them, his words full of respect.
"Welcome, President Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster. Please, come in."
"I am so delighted that you and Mrs. Lancaster could make it. It is truly a great honor."
Wherever Adrian Lancaster went, he was the center of attention. A constant stream of people came up to chat, flatter, and curry favor with him.
He would occasionally offer a brief reply, his tone light, projecting an innate sense of detachment.
Only when he was with Wren Sutton did he reveal his gentle side.
"Honey, are you tired? I’ll go with you to sit over there for a bit."
"I’m not tired. You go do your thing, don’t worry about me."
Adrian Lancaster wrapped his arm around Wren Sutton’s waist, pulling her closer into his embrace in an intimate gesture.
"I’m not busy. My main job is to stay with you."
"Mrs. Lancaster is so beautiful. If I don’t keep a close eye on you, what if you get lost?"
Wren Sutton looked up, giving him a look that was somewhere between a glare and a glance. "You underestimate me. I’m not that helpless."
Adrian Lancaster leaned in and chuckled, his voice overflowing with affection. From the side, it almost looked like he was kissing Wren Sutton’s ear.
"Alright, I was wrong. You’re the cleverest."
Watching the couple’s playful banter, the onlookers smiled knowingly.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have such a wonderful relationship."
"They look so perfect together."
"I heard Mrs. Lancaster even has boy-girl twins. She’s so blessed."
Just then, the host walked onto the stage with a microphone, their clear voice interrupting the conversations in the hall.
"Thank you all for attending this charity gala. Next, let’s welcome our special guest donor for this evening, the new philanthropist, Miss Claire Bennett."
All eyes in the room turned toward the ballroom entrance, where a slender figure was walking in slowly.
The woman was also wearing a champagne-colored gown. Her makeup was exquisite, her smile perfectly measured, and her movements poised.
Claire Bennett walked to the front of the stage, nodded politely in greeting, and began to speak about her philanthropic philosophy.
Her words were sincere and appropriate, winning over the entire audience.
After her speech, she walked straight toward Adrian Lancaster and Wren Sutton. She extended her hand, her smile warm and generous.
"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Claire Bennett. It’s a pleasure to meet you both."