That very night, Gavin Grant sent out the news about the birthday banquet.

Gavin Grant was incredibly efficient. By the next morning, everyone who mattered in Kingsport’s business circles had received the news. The invitations were printed with the Grant Group’s logo, under the banner of “Adrian Grant’s Birthday Banquet,” and signed by Gavin Grant.

Everyone in their social circle had the exact same reaction upon seeing the invitation.

‘Since when does Adrian Grant celebrate his birthday?’

‘No, to be more precise, since when did any of the Grant family’s rising stars, Adrian Grant included, ever host a birthday party at Gavin Grant’s manor?’

The significance of this and the break from tradition were self-evident.

Of course, some people figured if the old man wanted to set up a gathering, he should have just said so instead of making up some flimsy excuse.

Anyone even remotely close to Adrian Grant knew his birthday wasn’t anywhere near this time of year.

But no matter how absurd the pretext, an invitation was an invitation.

Gavin Grant’s reputation was on the line, and no one would dare to call him out.

Thus, overnight, the nature of the Wednesday gathering was transformed in everyone’s mind.

Everyone knew the Grant family had a major announcement to make; they just didn’t know what it was.

「Wednesday evening, at The Seraphic.」

Caroline Whitman stood in the walk-in closet, putting on the engagement ring from Adrian Grant as she faced the mirror.

She had chosen an understated, deep blue dress for the evening—not too formal, yet not so casual that it would seem dismissive when they announced the marriage alliance.

Adrian Grant approached from behind, already dressed in a suit. He was wearing the tie she had picked out for him that morning.

He stood behind her, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror, before he took a jewelry box from a drawer.

“What’s this?” Caroline Whitman asked, watching him in the mirror.

Adrian Grant opened the box to reveal a necklace. The pendant was small, shaped like a starburst. He fastened it around her neck, his fingers brushing her collarbone for a fleeting moment before he pulled back.

“To match your ring,” he said.

Caroline Whitman glanced down at the necklace, then at the ring on her finger. They were indeed a perfect match.

“So, you’ve been holding out on me. What other secrets are you keeping?”

Adrian Grant placed a light kiss on her lips, then chuckled. “Let’s not dig for all my secrets. It would ruin these little everyday surprises.”

Caroline Whitman blinked. “So there *are* more.”

Adrian Grant remained silent. He turned and said, “Let’s go.”

“…”

Ryan Grant’s day had been meticulously planned. He was sent to Jonathan Grant’s in the morning, and Jonathan then brought him to the private quarters of Grant Manor in the afternoon.

Caroline Whitman and Adrian Grant arrived together, running into Zane and Gene Carson at the entrance.

Zane Carson was dressed to the nines, his hair perfectly styled. As soon as he saw Adrian Grant, he sidled over. “Well, well, the birthday boy. What are you doing coming in the front door?”

Then, he added in a low, teasing voice, “Funny, I don’t remember your birthday being today.”

After his remark, he turned to Caroline Whitman with a wide grin. “Miss Whitman, long time no see.”

Caroline Whitman, who had her arm linked with Adrian’s, raised her free hand in a small wave. “Long time no see.”

After Zane finished his greeting, Gene Carson’s gaze first landed on Caroline’s hand, which was linked with Adrian’s. Her eyes then traveled down to the ring on Caroline’s finger.

‘Having grown up with Adrian, how could they not know his real birthday?’

‘They’d heard yesterday that Adrian’s proposal had been accepted. It looked like the rumors were true.’

Her expression barely changed as she forced a slight smile. “Adrian, happy birthday.”

Adrian Grant gave a slight nod. “Thank you.”

Gene then looked at Caroline Whitman and nodded politely. “Miss Whitman, long time no see.”

Caroline Whitman smiled back. “Long time no see.”

Zane Carson jumped in. “Okay, okay, what’s the man of the hour doing loitering at the entrance? If you don’t go in, the rest of us won’t dare to.”

Once inside the banquet hall, Caroline Whitman scanned the room.

The elites from every industry were there.

Seriously, though, she thought, ‘at an event like this, you can count on people like Vincent Fuller to show up without fail.’

This was her second time setting foot in Grant Manor, the first being Gavin Grant’s birthday celebration. It was a rare moment of peace, not having to be on guard against troublemakers like Matthew Grant.

Caroline Whitman wandered through the party for a while. Just as she picked up a glass of juice, Lily Young popped out of nowhere, a plate in her hand.

“Caroline, if it wasn’t for you, I never would have had the chance to come here! The food is so much better than any buffet,” Lily Young remarked with a sigh of admiration.

When she heard her parents say last night that they were attending a banquet at Grant Manor, her jaw had nearly hit the floor.

“…”

Lily Young looked around with wide-eyed curiosity. Her gaze landed on Adrian Grant up ahead, and she leaned in to whisper, “Are they going to announce your marriage alliance with the Grant family later?”

‘That was the only reason she could think of for why Gavin Grant would invite a small-time company like theirs.’

The moment she spoke, Gavin Grant made his way to the main stage in the hall, affecting the slow, deliberate gait of an old man. The room gradually fell silent.

This was a rare sight.

The old man hadn’t even shown his face in the main hall for his own birthday earlier this year. For him to personally take the stage now was a clear exception, and everyone in the audience knew what it meant.

“I’ve invited you all here today for two reasons. First, to celebrate my grandson’s birthday.”

He didn’t specify Adrian Grant by name. After all, a great-grandson is still a grandson, so the statement wasn’t technically wrong.

The old patriarch continued, his expression unchanging. “And second, I have an announcement to make.”

Someone in the crowd raised an eyebrow. ‘So, there it is.’

“My grandson, Adrian Grant, and Miss Caroline Whitman, the heiress of the Whitman Group, are announcing a marriage alliance between our two families.”

The room was silent for a beat, and then erupted in a mixture of applause and hushed whispers.

All eyes snapped in the direction of Adrian Grant and Caroline Whitman.

Many had guessed the Grant family had an announcement, but no one had expected a marriage alliance—and certainly not with the Whitman family.

The Whitman Group had certainly been gaining momentum in recent years, but they were still a tier below the Grant Group.

However, given that Gavin Grant himself had made the announcement, the significance of this union was undeniable.

As Gavin Grant spoke, Adrian had already moved to Caroline’s side. He took her hand, a clear confirmation to the crowd.

Caroline Whitman was no stranger to being the center of attention, stared at by dozens of pairs of eyes, but in this moment, a wave of nervousness still shot up from the soles of her feet.

Adrian glanced at her. He didn’t offer any words of comfort, but simply gave her palm a gentle squeeze, a silent reassurance to relax.

Zane Carson, Milo Morgan, and a few others were the first to come over and offer their congratulations.

Their presence helped ease Caroline’s tension.

The couple didn’t stay in the main hall long. After the announcement and a brief round of pleasantries, they headed into the private section of the manor to find Ryan and the others.

They hadn’t forgotten the real guest of honor: the little birthday boy, Ryan Grant.

He was currently in the most private room in the innermost part of Grant Manor.

Next to the coffee table, a large pile of half-unwrapped gift boxes was spread out in front of him.

Zoe Grant was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, holding an unopened Lego set, trying to bargain with Ryan. “How about you let your uncle here play with this one first?”

“No! Great-Grandpa gave it to me.”

“Great-Grandpa bought you so many. Just share one with me.”

“They’re all mine.”

“Why are you being so stingy, kid?”

“Uncle, Daddy says grown-ups aren’t allowed to take things from kids.”

“Your dad isn’t nearly as strict with himself when he says that.”

“Hmm… okay, fine. You can have this one. But you have to stop saying mean things about my dad.”

Zoe Grant: “…”

The next moment, she looked up and saw Caroline Whitman and Adrian Grant standing in the doorway.

Ryan immediately forgot all about the Legos, scrambled to his feet, and ran toward them.

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