Chapter 8

Wayne said, "5:30 pm, and dinner starts at 6:00 pm. You can come earlier to help tend to Rosalie's family."

Winifred hummed in reply.

Wayne continued, "You should ask Timothy to come over as well—it'll look better on me if he shows up. How about I give him a call myself?"

Winifred didn't want Timothy to know that she would be at Jillsbury Restaurant tonight as well.

She didn't want to see him celebrating Selena's birthday at all, but she was still curious to know just how far he'd go to make it special for Selena.

Winifred replied, "Just don't bother. Timothy has been busy with his business lately, and he can't spare the time. Besides, we aren't formally married yet. If he shows up, Rosalie's family might think I brought him over just to pressure them. Timothy didn't like these kinds of events anyway."

Wayne sighed. He was somewhat unhappy with the arrangement, but he did not refuse it. "Alright, I'll respect your decision."

He then ended the call.

…

At 4:00 pm, Winifred got changed and put on some makeup at home.

Although she disliked the idea of having a meal with them, she still wanted Rosalie's family to have a good impression of her. She'd think of it as doing Wayne a favor.

Her phone chimed on the tabletop just as she was busy putting on her lip balm.

It was a WhatsApp text from Timothy: "There's a company gathering tonight, babe. I'll probably be back by 12:00 am. You don't have to stay up and wait for me tonight."

He was still lying to her.

Winifred felt a stir of emotions within her, but she didn't stop what she was doing.

After her lip balm, she applied some pink lipstick. She only picked up her phone to reply to Timothy after she was done drying her hair. "I'm heading over to Wayne's tonight. I'll be back after dinner."

She did not mention that she was going to Jillsbury Restaurant.

Timothy transferred 50 thousand dollars to Winifred shortly after. He then added, "Buy some gifts for your parents, in case they complain that you bring misfortune to their home.

"Don't go back empty-handed—just get whatever you want. Also, don't forget to bundle up—it's cold outside."

Winifred's heart sank when she read his text. She could no longer muster up any energy after that.

Timothy didn't mind that her family was poor, and he knew how to be polite and win the elders over. He was tall, handsome, came from a good family, and knew how to treat people well.

Winifred should be holding onto a man like him tightly.

But because she truly loved Timothy, she couldn't stand him cheating with another woman, nor could she stand sharing him with others.

Winifred cupped her face and sighed. She wished he hadn't cheated—or at least, she wasn't aware of it—that way, she could still live in a dream.

She pulled herself together and headed down at 4:30 pm. She left the house on her own without calling for Adam Hook, her chauffeur. Instead, she called for a cab.

…

Jillsbury Restaurant was located in a remote location—the journey took half an hour by car.

It was exactly 5:50 pm by the time Winifred arrived, and it would be 6:00 pm sharp when she stepped into the private room—she had planned it out well.

Winifred pulled her scarf up to cover her face as soon as she got out of the car, subconsciously checking her surroundings. She did not spot Timothy's car—he probably hadn't arrived yet.

She had just taken a couple of steps inside when a security guard approached her. "Sorry, ma'am, this entertainment area has been booked. Please turn right if you're here to dine."

Winifred asked, "Who's the one booking the entire area?"

The guard replied, "A wealthy scion is throwing his girlfriend a grand birthday party. By the way, are you a guest for the birthday party?"

Winifred was about to say that she'd go in for a look at the birthday venue Timothy prepared for Selena, but a phone call came before she could do so.

Heather barked, "We're in Room 8 on the second floor of the dining area. What are you still dilly-dallying for? Don't you know what time it is now—are you planning to come fashionably late? Even Rosalie is getting upset—you'd better bring a gift as an apology to her!"

Winifred calmly replied, "I'm already here."

She turned and walked the other way, passing a short stretch of path lined with flowers before entering the restaurant.

A waiter led Winifred to the private room, and she opened the heavy door. She heard Heather's voice even before seeing her.

Heather said, "We're so glad you agreed to let Rose marry into our family, Maria. I know you're worried about her future, but don't worry. The apartment we're currently living in is worth over three million dollars.

"It's under my husband's and my name, but Wayne paid for it. He was considerate to us and wanted to provide us with a place to live. But don't worry, we'll immediately transfer the apartment to Wayne and Rose's names after they register their marriage!"

Winifred was frozen in place.

An unfamiliar voice—likely from Maria Carson, Rosalie's mother—spoke up. "But I heard that your apartment was bought by your daughter, Winifred."

Heather quickly replied, "That's not true! Winifred is only 23—she wouldn't have the money to buy an apartment. It's all from Wayne—he only added Winifred's name into it because he cares so much about her."

"Is that so? It seems like my son-in-law is truly a good man. He must have a solid character since he treats his family well," Maria said with a hearty chuckle.

Winifred took a deep breath to suppress her anger. She only stepped into the private room after calming down.

The chatter and laughter came to an abrupt stop. Everyone except Rosalie and Heather stood up.

Winifred understood that such politeness wasn't directed at her, but at her fiancé, Timothy.

Wayne was the first to react. He walked over to her and softly chided, "Why did you only come now?"

Winifred eyed the clock on the wall—it was 6:00 pm sharp. "I'm not even late, am I?"

Wayne noticed her darkened expression and figured that she must have gotten upset after overhearing their earlier conversation. He felt ashamed, so he did not comment further.

Heather was displeased when she saw Winifred had come without a gift. Everything she'd taught Winifred had come to waste—Winifred still lacked tact, didn't understand social etiquette, and hadn't learned how to treat others well.

However, Heather kept her mouth shut for the sake of her dignity.

Wayne wrapped his arm around Winifred's shoulders and gave her a reassuring pat, as if telling her not to mind the terms used earlier.

He then said, "Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, this is Winifred, my beautiful younger sister."

Out of politeness, Winifred gave a slight nod as she greeted them politely. "Hello, Rosalie, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin."

Maria gave her a once-over before smiling. "Rose is always talking about you—says you're lucky to have married a wealthy scion, and that your family loves you a lot. You're so fortunate! Now that I've finally met you, I can see it—you really were raised with care. And you're pretty, too!"

Winifred smiled and replied, "Oh, please don't tease me, Mrs. Goodwin. Why don't we pick up where you left off—let's talk about the apartment."

Maria said, "Sure—that apartment has your name on it too, after all. Now that your older brother is getting married, there's no harm in discussing it."

Heather walked over and grabbed Winifred's arm, warning her to speak cautiously. Winifred pulled her arm away.

Everyone took their respective seats. Wayne went around to serve everyone drinks while Rosalie kept her head down, idly scrolling through her phone.

Ever since Winifred had walked into the room, she hadn't gotten so much as a proper glance from Rosalie—but Winifred didn't mind it anyway.

Maria started, "Since everyone's here now, I'll just go straight to my point. Rosalie's name has to be added to the apartment. You should decide when you're transferring it. Also, she won't be living with her in-laws after marriage."

Heather had clearly prepared her speech. Her reply came without missing a beat, "We won't be living together with her. My husband and I will move out after they get married, and we'll move in with Winifred. She'll take care of us, so we won't interfere with the newlyweds' life."

Winifred was rendered speechless.