C4 The Man Was Better than the Heavens

With this thought in mind, Ilyana didn't hesitate for a second. She dashed into Ines's bedroom and flung open the doors of her lavish wardrobe. Grabbing a bag, she crammed it with all the cosmetics from the table. They didn't want her at the banquet?

She was determined to go and make a statement!

She would dress to the nines and metaphorically slap that mother-daughter duo in the face!

The Munro Mansion in Vethrin, a grand and opulent estate, was set against a mountain backdrop with a view of the sea—a luxurious standalone villa with a garden.

It was here that Old Madame Munro's 70th birthday celebration was to take place.

The villa was alight with activity. The banquet hall shimmered with opulence, the guests mingling and laughing in a cacophony of lively chatter.

Despite the downplayed rumors about Old Madame Munro's birthday, the Munro family's prestigious standing meant a multitude of friends and relatives would be in attendance, enough to wear out the doorstep.

Though the Munro family had seen better days and Old Madame Munro had passed on, the family still commanded respect in Vethrin with Old Madame Munro at the helm.

On the day of the celebration, luminaries from various circles arrived in droves. Ondine, like a social butterfly, flitted about with a glass of champagne, joyously ushering her beloved daughter into the elite ladies' circle.

The talk of the town among the noblewomen invariably centered on their husbands and children—a topic Ondine was particularly adept at discussing.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom of the Munro Mansion, Ilyana had slipped into her clothes and applied her makeup with precision. She stood before the washbasin, gazing into the mirror at her lovely reflection, her dark eyes sparkling with clarity.

The white dress hugged her figure, accentuating her curves to perfection.

Ilyana vividly remembered that since the birthday banquet, she had avoided mirrors. After the attic fire left her right cheek scarred, she seldom went out and shied away from meeting others' gazes.

She had almost forgotten what she once looked like.

Her delicate hand caressed her face, rich with collagen, her eyes as radiant as stars, her skin as smooth as creamy jade.

She smiled, the mole beneath her left eye adding an extra hint of allure.

Did Ondine really think she could just abandon her and have peace of mind?

Unfortunately for Ondine, she had miscalculated!

Taking advantage of the servants' distraction, Ilyana had quietly hailed a cab and arrived at the Munro Mansion ahead of them, slipping into the bathroom unnoticed.

Gazing at her immaculate makeup in the mirror, Ilyana's lips curled into a cold smile before she turned to leave the restroom.

Considering how things had unfolded in her past life, Ilyana wondered if Ondine would still be able to smile upon seeing her now.

...

As the clock struck the hour, the multi-tiered cake and champagne tower were wheeled in by the waitstaff, and the crowd began to converge from all corners.

"Mom, I wish you health, happiness, and all the best! May your fortune be as vast as the seas and your life as enduring as the mountains!" Halden proclaimed, then, taking a painting from someone nearby, he beamed and continued, "This is the birthday present I've prepared for you—a work by a master artist. I thought you'd definitely love it!"

Old Madame Munro, seated on the plush leather sofa to the west, lifted her creased eyelids and chuckled, "There's no need for such extravagance among family. Let's not do this next time!"

"As long as you're pleased, that's all that matters to me, Mom!" Halden replied.

His flattery brought a hearty laugh from Old Madame Munro, "Oh, you always had the sweetest words! Where's Ivar? Why haven't I seen him? Where has that clever boy gone? Bring him here later; I want a good look at him. It's been too long, and I've missed him dearly!"