Just as Cyrus was about to speak with an icy gaze in his eyes, Mandy went ahead with a smile.


    "Really? I shall ask Mayor Hodgson about this. Does he not see me as a Lovce, or do you not take


    me as a Lovce?"


    Onder, who was mentioned without warning, coughed after choking on his wine.


    "Anyway, it doesn''t matter whether or not I''m a Lovce." Mandy cast an unreadable look at Onder.


    "After all, I''m here with my son, representing the Taylor family. Mayor Hodgson, Minnie, you''ll wee


    us, won''t you?"


    "Ah! It''s our mistake." Minnie hurriedly approached them with an apologetic smile to break the tension.


    "We thought you''d attend the event with Joseph since you are family. We did not think it through. We''ll


    be more careful next time!"


    Mandy replied coldly, "I''m no longer a Lovce after I married Winston Taylor. If you are sending out


    invitations, please address them to the Taylor family of Belbanks."


    "Mandy, that''s enough." Joseph took a step toward her. He lowered his voice. "Are you trying to argue


    with me in front of everyone here?"


    "You don''t deserve my time." Looking away, she snickered. "I wouldn''t have wasted time talking to you


    or even taking a look at you had you note up to irk me.


    "Joseph Lovce, do you understand that the person I hate the most in the family isn''t Dad, who


    kicked me out? I hate you the most because you keep badmouthing Winston in front of Dad!"


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Lips twitching, Joseph struggled to catch a breath. His face seemed to sting in pain from the memory of


    being pped by Mandy thest time.


    Under his leadership, the Lovces'' business had grown and expanded. Despite his efforts and his


    attempt at perfecting his image, Mandy refused to take one more look at him. All she cared about was


    Winston Taylor, who had never treated her wrong.


    After the minor hup, the social dancing kicked off in the Hodgson''s living room. The dance was an


    opportunity Onder and Minnie had created for Freddy and Lauren to mingle.


    When the music filled the air, the guests found their dance partners and started waltzing in the middle


    of the spacious dance floor.


    As Onder and Javier chatted away, Mandy approached them in steady footsteps. She smiled and


    asked, "Mayor Hodgson, sorry to interrupt. I need to have a private talk with you. Are you free now?"


    Javier tightened his grasp on the wine ss after Mandypletely disregarded him.


    Knowing how difficult Mandy could be, Onder immediately rose from his seat as he couldn''t afford to


    snub her. "Sure. Mrs. Taylor, pleasee with me to the guest lounge."


    As Mandy was leaving, she turned around and smirked at Javier. The act was akin to a p to his face.


    Sitting in the guest lounge, Onder made his maid serve some high-grade tea. Smiling warmly at


    Mandy, he wondered, "Mrs. Taylor, may I know what brought you here?"


    She sipped on the tea gracefully. "I heard that Freddy is about to get engaged to Lauren."


    Onder perked up at the mention of the topic. "That''s right! Both our families have picked out the date


    for it. It''ll be on the 15th of next month!"


    "Yeah. That sounds like a good date. Sadly, your son is not destined to be with Lauren."


    Onder was caught off guard. "Mrs. Taylor, what do you mean?"