"Cyrus..." Lauren stared at Cyrus. His surprise appearance instantly soothed her nervousness.


    The woman who showed up with Cyrus was no stranger to Lauren—she was Cyrus'' mom, Mandy


    Lovce.


    The next moment, Lauren''s heart leaped into her throat. Onder was a diplomatic and shrewd


    politician, ording to Sophia''s description of him.


    Onder wouldn''t have invited the Taylors if he had already invited the Becketts, as he was smart


    enough not to make the two archenemies meet.


    As expected, the Hodgsons looked shocked. Javier''s expression clouded as well.


    Onder exined in awkwardness, "Mr. Javier, this is certainly surprising. We did not invite the


    Taylors. What do you—"


    Javier waved at Onder with a faint smile. "It''s fine. You''re the host, anyway. You don''t have to exin


    every minor detail of your event to me."


    Despite Javier''s assurance, Onder and Minnie felt fearful. Anyone could tell that Javier was upset at


    the Taylors'' arrival.


    At the same time, the guests started gossiping among themselves.


    "Gosh! Who''s that young man standing beside Mandy Lovce? He''s so handsome."


    "What a lively and proud young man. I would have offered him my daughter''s hand in marriage—if only


    I had one!"


    "Don''t be delusional. I know that guy, even if you don''t. He''s Cyrus Taylor, but he rarely shows up in the


    public eye. He''s Mandy Lovce''s only living son after Damien Taylor lost his life in a ne crash. I bet


    she would be very discerning when ites to his marriage because she dotes on him a lot."


    "Cyrus Taylor?" The guests gasped.


    The knowledge of his family background made him appear more attractive than before.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    "Comparison is really the thief of joy. I thought Freddy Hodgson was great until I saw Cyrus Taylor. He


    beat Freddy in every aspect!"


    "Of course! He''s the son of Winston Taylor and Mandy Lovce. The Hodgsons are a family of local


    politicians. They are no match for the family of a business tycoon."


    Freddy''s smile froze when he overheard parts of the gossip. He silently clenched his fist.


    On the other hand, Cyrus felt restricted because he had put on a formal suit—which he rarely wore—


    upon Mandy''s request. Feeling ufortable, he couldn''t stop himself from adjusting his tie


    asionally.


    "Can you please stop wriggling around like a monkey?" Mandy, while maintaining herposure,


    quietly pinched Cyrus in the waist. "Is there a bug in your cor or what?"


    Cyrus furrowed his brows from the pain. At the same time, he casually directed a nce in Lauren''s


    direction.


    When their eyes met, Lauren happily beamed and waved at him as a greeting. His world immediately lit


    up as his heart fluttered.


    "Mandy, what brings you here?" Joseph walked over to Mandy and Cyrus.


    Cyrus, instead of greeting his Uncle Joseph, merely red at thetter. Knowing that the Lovces


    had denied any support to Mandy after disowning her, he refused to acknowledge Joseph as his uncle.


    Mandy maintained a calm and gracious smile. "And how is that your business? I show up because I


    feel like it."


    Joseph''s expression immediately froze. Meanwhile, the other guests were secretly specting on the


    Lovce siblings'' rtionship.


    Aidan wandered over to Joseph. As usual, he couldn''t keep his mouth shut. "Mayor Hodgson invited


    Dad and I to the event. As far as I know, the mayor and his wife did not invite you."