Chapter 10

The butler, Albert, took the bag full of medicinal patches, feeling a little emotional, and said, “You’re so thoughtful, Mr. Green.”

Chris had wanted to remind the butler not to call him "Mr. Green" anymore, but since Jessica might also show up, he didn’t want to create unnecessary complications and chose to stay silent.

He simply nodded and followed behind the butler.

The butler walked ahead without saying a word—such a good son-in-law, yet the young lady didn’t like him, insisting instead on favoring that man from the Hall family.

The butler had been with the Wilder family since before Jessica’s parents were married. It was about time for him to retire. Having watched Jessica grow up, he naturally knew all about her past with Michael.

From the very beginning, John and Linda had disapproved of Michael.

It wasn’t that Michael’s family background was poor—it was his temperament that had been the issue.

In the main hall of the Wilder family's residence, influential figures from all sides had gathered—this was exactly the kind of occasion Chris disliked.

He wasn’t someone who enjoyed competing for status, but in such settings, as the Wilder family’s son-in-law, if he fell short in any way, it would bring embarrassment to the family.

So he had no choice but to hold his head high and follow the butler step by step into the hall.

"Hey, did you hear Michael’s back?"

"Of course, of course. I always knew Jessica still liked Michael. She only married Chris out of heartbreak after Michael got engaged. If you ask me, it’s only a matter of time before she divorces him."

"But Michael brought a daughter back with him."

"So what? It’s not like Jessica can’t afford to raise a child. The Wilder family could support as many kids as she wants."

In one corner stood a group of Jessica’s old classmates. With their noble lineage and elite education, they naturally drew attention just by standing together.

After greeting her parents, Sophie also joined her group of close friends.

"I saw Michael too. Doesn’t the Hall family disapprove of him? Why bring him to an event like this?"

The Hall family had always found Michael shameful, especially now that he had returned with a child from another woman. On occasions like this, they would have preferred him to stay home and out of sight.

Yet the custom suit Michael wore and the Patek Philippe on his wrist made things a little harder to understand.

Sophie glanced over with a drink in her hand.

He really was the former heir raised by the Hall family—everything Michael did still exuded the air of nobility. Even after years abroad, he showed no hesitation or discomfort in social settings like this.

No matter how many rumors swirled around him, he ignored them all. When someone greeted him, he smiled warmly, when no one did, he quietly stood off to the side on his own.

There was even something a little pitiful about him.

"Who cares if the Hall family approves or not? As long as my sister likes him, that’s what matters," said Sophie.

The daughter of the Lister family, Jane Lister, tugged on Sophie’s dress gently and whispered, "But your sister isn’t divorced yet... what about your brother-in-law?"

"He just arrived." At the mention of Chris, her expression turned sour. "With his status, if he hadn’t married my sister, he’d have no business being at an event like this."

A group of girls stood together, their gossip instincts flaring up.

"Now that Michael is back, and your sister still likes him, do you think she’ll get divorced and marry Michael?"

"Absolutely!" Sophie declared confidently. "She’s been saying for ages that she was sick of looking at Chris’s face. They should’ve divorced long ago."

Just then, Chris entered behind Albert.

All eyes turned toward him, filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

He, however, remained composed and dignified, nodding slightly as a greeting before heading straight for his mother-in-law’s room.

"Mom." On a day like this, Chris didn’t want Linda to feel embarrassed.