Chapter 96: Grandpa Luther introduced Camilla as his daughter-in-law

Chapter 96: Grandpa Luther introduced Camilla as his daughter-in-law The banquet hall buzzed with anticipation. "Thank you all for honoring our invitation to celebrate my father’s birthday," Jonathan and Margaret strode onto the central stage ahead of the host, positioning themselves as the evening’s focal point. "On behalf of the Luther Family, my wife and I would like to propose a toast to welcome you." With practiced grace, they raised their glasses toward the assembled guests, their smiles polished and poised—every inch the picture of the Luther Family’s rightful hosts. *On behalf of the Luther Family?* Sinclair took a slow sip of his wine, silent. His dark, inscrutable eyes rested lightly on Jonathan and Margaret, amusement lurking beneath the surface. "Heh." Calvin’s lips curled lazily as he leaned back, swirling his drink. "Not exactly subtle, are they? Though I’ll give them credit—their audacity is impressive." "After that disgraceful scene at the entrance," Taylor remarked coolly, taking a measured sip, "you’d think they’d have the sense to lay low." "This is just a desperate attempt to save face." They weren’t the only ones thinking that. After all, everyone had witnessed Jonathan and the other two were stopped at the door moments ago. Still, appearances had to be maintained. Glasses were raised in cheerful toasts, with congratulations pouring in. The clinking of cups and lively chatter filled the air as hosts and guests alike reveled in the moment. The banquet’s atmosphere lightened once again. Yet Sandra, standing not far away, remained utterly unaffected. Her gaze was fixed, unblinking, on the man’s flawlessly chiseled profile—cold, aloof, and unreadable. Her eyes darkened, lost in some inscrutable thought. As the round of drinks concluded, Jonathan and Margaret exchanged a glance, preparing to introduce Tyler. Just then, two sets of footsteps echoed from the staircase. An elderly man in a dark traditional robe descended with measured, steady steps. Though well into his seventies, his posture was ramrod straight, his spirit undimmed. An aura of quiet authority surrounded him, commanding an instinctive hush from those present. The Luther Family’s steward, Uncle Carlos, followed respectfully with a deferential expression. "It’s Grandpa Luther!" The first person to notice him murmured in a hushed, awed tone. "The grandpa is here—" Decades ago, Grandpa Luther had single-handedly doubled the Luther Family’s influence and standing. He was nothing short of a legend in the political and business circles of the capital. Even now, only the current head of the Luther Family, Sinclair, could rival his cunning and capability. Such a figure naturally commanded deep respect and reverence from all. "Grandpa Luther, you look younger with each passing year—your vigor puts us youngsters to shame." "May you enjoy health and prosperity for many years to come." ... Amidst the chorus of well-wishes, Grandpa Luther ascended the stage with a composed smile. "Father." Jonathan and Margaret snapped out of their daze and hurried forward with practiced smiles. Grandpa remained silent, merely casting them a cool glance—one laced with quiet warning. He had reached the point of utter disappointment with this son of his. The smiles on Jonathan and his wife’s faces froze involuntarily. Jonathan, in particular, stiffened visibly. But Grandpa Luther had already stepped past them, making his way to the microphone. As he moved, the entire hall fell into hushed silence. Sinclair remained composed, his expression indifferent—until his gaze landed in a certain direction, softening imperceptibly. "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this old man’s birthday celebration," Grandpa Luther began, his voice warm and measured as he addressed the gathered guests with a faint smile. "Today, I’d like to take this opportunity to formally introduce someone to you all—my granddaughter-in-law, the current lady of the Luther Family, Camilla." As he spoke, his eyes turned toward the staircase, his face lighting up with grandfatherly affection. "Camilla, come down now." The ambient lights in the banquet hall dimmed, leaving only a bright spotlight illuminating the top of the staircase. Every pair of eyes in the room followed, drawn irresistibly toward the figure about to descend. Grandpa Luther’s granddaughter-in-law? The madam of the Luther Family? Sandra’s expression darkened, her eyes burning with envy. Those titles and that status—they should have been hers! It was all because of that wretched Camilla, who had stolen everything that rightfully belonged to her! But after tonight, many things would finally return to their rightful course. At that thought, she took a sip of wine, her crimson lips curling into a faint smirk. Margaret shared the same sentiment. The madam of the Luther Family—she had waited far too long for that title. What they didn’t realize, however, was this: While scheming against others, they too were being ensnared in someone else’s plot. A tangled web of deceit and conspiracy had formed, ensnaring all those with ill intentions. The moment they stepped into it, the truth became obscured, the exit impossible to find. At this moment. Under the curious and scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, a figure emerged beneath the lights. The woman wore a handcrafted champagne-colored evening gown that cascaded elegantly to the floor. Her thick, chestnut-brown curls tumbled like waves of seaweed down her back, soft and lustrous. Her neck was slender and graceful, her waist so delicate it seemed one could encircle it with a single hand. Long, straight legs completed the silhouette. Though the dress revealed nothing, its minimalist, figure-hugging design left no doubt about the perfection of her curves. *Not bad at all—Steven’s designs never disappoint.* Sandra watched as Camilla became the center of attention, a fleeting glint of venomous triumph flashing in her eyes. Enjoy it while you can, Camilla. You’ll regret wearing that soon enough. *No one who dares steal clothes—or men—from me, Sandra, walks away unscathed.* Under the glow of the lights, Camilla’s already luminous skin took on an almost ethereal radiance, smooth as porcelain. A single glance was all it took for the room to understand what it truly meant to be an *atmosphere beauty*—someone whose presence alone was breathtaking, even without seeing her face. This dress just won’t do. Amidst the admiring gazes of the crowd, Sinclair’s dark, narrow eyes glinted with icy displeasure. He had no intention of letting others witness Camilla’s radiant beauty. His slender, pale fingers tapped absently against his wineglass as he pondered. Perhaps next time, he should just dress her in a tracksuit. Camilla lifted her gaze and smiled at the most striking man in the room. The guests took in her face, and four words involuntarily surfaced in their minds— Absolute perfection. * Her delicate features were exquisitely balanced on her petite face. But it was her eyes—slightly upturned, shimmering with quiet amusement—that captivated anyone who met them, drawing them effortlessly. She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet carried an air of cool detachment, as though she belonged to some distant realm meant only to be admired from afar. In their world, beauty was hardly rare. But the beauty of this caliber? That was something else entirely. Tonight, Camilla was undeniably the center of attention. Even Aria, who was accustomed to seeing all kinds of beauties in the entertainment industry, was momentarily stunned by the breathtaking sight before her. "Mrs. Camilla Luther is absolutely stunning," she murmured. Beside her, Melissa nodded instinctively. "Tell me about it. I was speechless the first time I saw her too." Aria, snapping out of her daze, turned to Melissa with an amused smile. "Seems we share the same taste in beauty, Miss Melissa." "Who shares anything with you?" Only then did Melissa realize who was standing next to her. With a cold snort, she deliberately took a few steps away. Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd also began to recover from the overwhelming impact of Camilla’s radiant beauty. The banquet hall buzzed with hushed whispers and murmurs of admiration.