Lana looked closely at the birthday celebrant and murmured, “She looks a little familiar.”

“Have you met her before?” Miley asked.

“Oh… now I remember! Love, she’s the same woman we met at our favorite bakery store. You know the one who was about to pass out.” Lana commented. Even though it was quite a distance she could still recognize her.

Liam looked closely and whispered, “Yeah.” His face suddenly darkened. Like that day in the bakery, he started getting a negative vibe again just like that day.

Meanwhile, Luo and Noah were running late for the party.

“This is so embarrassing…” Luo complained with pouty lips. They should have arrived earlier but Noah… He consumed a lot of her time undressing her instead of helping her out to get dressed.

Noah chuckled and pinched Luo’s nose.

“Stop complaining. I told you before I would rather spend my time with you alone than to attend this absurd party.” He stated with a grin.

Brione quickly approached them as soon as she saw her brother.

“Why are you so late? Come and let’s have a photo with the guests at each table. Oh wait we should introduce Luo first to dad and mom Marlyn.” Brione said pulling her brother or else he would just go into a corner to quickly eat with his wife then leave without making his presence felt by the guests.

“Dad big bro is here with his wife…” Brione introduced Luo to Noah’s father and stepmother who hugged her that instant and congratulated her.

“We would have loved to be a part of your wedding and it would be great to meet your parents Luo, but Noah is too reserved and he even kept the wedding from us too… I’m really sorry but we will definitely make it up to you. Brione will set up a date so we can formally see your parents.” Noah’s father said with an apology.

“That’s really not necessary. It’s not like we’re a real family.” Noah mumbled and Luo was really startled that she hit Noah’s arm and scolded, “Stop talking to your dad like that!”

Noah was surprised as well and he looked at Luo with a creased forehead. Luo ignored him but instead looked at Noah’s father and apologized on his behalf.

“Oh, Luo dear you’re so nice,” Marlyn could not help but comment.

Noah’s eyebrows arched as he interrupted, “Yeah, she indeed is very nice. Think about it, why would I get a wife who isn’t nice? I also made sure I married someone who will be loyal to me… Someone who is committed enough to be my partner for a lifetime.”

“Noah!” His father yelled with clenched teeth and dark face. Brione quickly pulled her father and her stepmother away to relax the situation saying, “Geez, we have guests… How about we now take photos with them and greet each of them on their table…”

“Haha, that’s good Brione. Please introduce our stepmother to your new friends… I’m sure she will be delighted to see and greet each one of them personally.” Noah scorned and Brione signaled him to stop already, almost begging.

Luo could sense something fishy from Noah’s words. Something was going on. She chose to pull him instead to Lana and Liam’s table since they were the only family there she knew and besides Brione had arranged their seat at the Sys table as well in case they preferred to sit there since Brione knew Luo was close to the Sys.

Everyone congratulated Luo and Noah for their marriage. Noah and Liam were both quiet and Luo and Lana could only exchange meaningful glances in that awkward atmosphere.

From a distance, Brione held her stepmother’s hand and said, “Mom Marlyn I have a few new friends and they are all very nice people. I want to introduce you and dad to them.”

Marlyn nodded and let Brione guide her to the table she was talking about. Marlyn was completely engaged in talking to her husband while walking that she did not bother to look at the people occupying the table they were heading too.

Noah could see Brione approaching them with that woman behind her and an evil smirk appeared on his face. Luo noticed it and could not help but ask, “What’s going on Noah?”

Noah heaved a sigh and whispered, “You will soon witness a dramatic and a great show.”

Luo intuitively felt that nothing good was going to come out seeing the way Noah behaved, so she muttered, “Noah… Please… It’s a birthday celebration and this should be a happy celebration…”

Noah caressed her cheek and said, “Don’t worry because it will be a happy get together and a celebration for me indeed.”

“Mom Marlyn… I want you to meet my new friends and their family, the Sys…” Brione said as they stopped at Sys table.

Marlyn halted and froze. Her eyes on her husband with her happy face suddenly turned pale. Tony, Brione’s father, turned his gaze at the table and his face paled as well.

Brione creased her forehead and said, “Mom look here…”

Marlyn turned her head and saw all eyes on her. Jorge was the first to stand up and greeted Brione’s father then Miley followed next.

“Happy Birthday Mrs. Yu…” Miley chanted and even hugged her intimately.

“Are you alright?” Miley asked because she felt the woman’s hand was too cold.

Marlyn nodded.

Noah was drinking wine from his glass nonchalantly and enjoying watching how his stepmother was having cold feet meeting all of them.

“Aren’t you happy to see all these people Claire? What’s with your face? Don’t you recognise them? Your daughter is asking you if you’re okay… Why don’t you answer her?” Noah beamed with lifted brows, not minding how all eyes were on him.

He let out a mocking laugh before adding, “I told you… It’s a big mistake inviting me here, woman. Seriously… You should have just let me be and not disturb me with your dirty presence in my office.” Noah hummed while he swirled the wine in his glass.

“Oh, for your information Mr. Sy and Liam, that woman had her face changed by plastic surgery to start a new life with my father but I guess there’s no secrets left untold. Happy birthday, Claire and I hope you enjoy this night with your past and present so called families. Consider this as my gift for your birthday.” Noah beamed before drinking everything in his glass of wine.

He stood up and pulled Luo up from her seat saying, “Me and my wife will leave first since I hate watching melodramas…”

Noah and Luo already and left behind them was only silence. Everyone on that table was left dumb confounded.