Honey, You're a Billionaire?

Indeed, the drawing was remarkable.

The sketch captured Rose's eyes and brows so vividly that they appeared almost lifelike. However, Jonathan couldn't help but wonder if it was appropriate for Ezra to sketch another man's woman like this openly.

Despite the subtle edge in Jonathan's comment, Ezra remained unfazed. The soft, rhythmic scratch of the pencil against paper filled the room as he continued to sketch, completely engrossed in his work. Jonathan narrowed his eyes. He had always known about Ezra's love for drawing, a talent inherited from their mother. Ezra had a natural affinity for colors and lines, and as a child, he would often sit beside Nancy, sketching while she painted. Those moments stirred complex emotions in Jonathan. He loved the peacefulness of the scene but resented that he wasn't the one sharing that connection with their mother.

After her death, Ezra had put down his pencil, seemingly for good-or so Jonathan had thought. To see him drawing again was a pleasant surprise.

The room was cloaked in tranquil silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic, soothing sound of the pencil dancing across the paper.

Jonathan settled onto the couch. As Rose's likeness took shape on the page, Ezra's hand finally came to a rest, and Jonathan broke the comfortable silence.

"Do you want to see her?"

Ezra's hand froze as he put away his sketch. For the first time in a while, a ripple of emotion swept through his eyes.

Despite his self-imposed isolation, he was acutely aware of the events happening in the outside world. Rose had found her biological father, taken the helm of Young Group, and transformed into someone far different from the Rose he had known. He wondered whether she had time to see him now or if she even wanted to. A sense of unease crept into his heart. Just then, Jonathan's voice sounded again.

"Cyrus is looking for you. He probably wants you to attend Lizzie's birthday banquet. Rose will be there."

Ezra's gaze shifted to Jonathan. Since his last episode, he had been under Jonathan's "protection", kept at a distance from the Finch family.

Jonathan clearly didn't want him to get too involved with them, so he couldn't understand why the man had invited him to the birthday banquet.

Ezra's questioning gaze remained locked on Jonathan for a moment before he turned away, dismissing his doubts.

"I'll be there," he said simply. With that, he resumed putting away his sketch.

Ezra's frame had visibly thinned, a detail Jonathan noted with a furrowed brow. It was impossible not to understand the implications behind Ezra's simple words.

Being a perceptive man, he must have realized that his presence was required at this birthday banquet, which was why he had agreed to attend.

As Jonathan stood in the doorway, he offered a genuine, "Thank you, and don't worry."

The two phrases seemed unrelated, but Ezra's body tensed almost imperceptibly upon hearing them. Just as Jonathan stepped out and was about to close the door, Ezra's voice softly resonated within the room. "I'm going to see Rosie."

Jonathan was taken aback. "Rosie? He should call her Rose! How inappropriate!" he silently cursed Ezra, feeling an inexplicable discomfort.

That sense of unease lingered even after shutting the door and stepping into the elevator. However, he also made a decision. After the birthday banquet, he would find a way to dispel any unhealthy thoughts Ezra might harbor toward Rose. As for how he would achieve that... A glimmer danced in Jonathan's eyes. He had an arsenal of ideas.

The following day, Ezra finally emerged from his self-imposed isolation, stepping out of his place for the first time in a long while.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Cyrus, who had been waiting for an opportunity, seized the moment. "Ezra, you... you've gotten thinner," he remarked. D

espite their distant relationship, seeing Ezra like this had stirred a hint of tenderness in his heart. However, the moment was fleeting, and business quickly took precedence.

He quickly got straight to the point. "We haven't had a family meal in a while. Let's have dinner together at Finch Manor the day after tomorrow, alright?"

Cyrus scrutinized Ezra's expression closely, feeling somewhat anxious that his son might refuse. If he did, Cyrus already had other excuses lined up.

Just as he was about to come up with another argument, Ezra surprisingly responded, "Alright."

Cyrus was taken aback, not expecting Ezra's agreement. Fearing that Ezra might change his mind, Cyrus hastily added, "Then... I'll pick you up myself the day after tomorrow."

After a moment's hesitation, he patted Ezra's shoulder. He wanted to say something more, but the words escaped him.

"Well... I'll be going then." With a forced smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Cyrus waved to Ezra and turned to get in his car.

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Ezra's lips. This father of his had never shared any real bond with him. Or rather, Cyrus had never put his heart into understanding him.

Ezra had ventured out solely to

"bump" into Cyrus, and now that his

objective was achieved, he had no desire to inger outside any longer The day after tomorrow would be Lizzie's birthday banquet, and on that day, he would finally see Rose again.

Thinking of this, his expression softened noticeably.

Soon enough, the much-awaited day arrived. The Finch family's grand birthday banquet commanded the attention of Regalia's elite, all of whom received coveted invitations. The manor was soon bustling as guests arrived early.

The Finch family held a prestigious

position in Regalia and was a name revered by many. As for the Finch Manor, it was the grand residence where Eleanor chose to spend her retirement years, and it was rarely opened to visitors. Such a

no

large-scale event taking place at the

manor was a first.

"Mrs. Finch Senior really does have a love for gardening. Look at those flowers. They're such rare, valuable species."

"Oh, and over there! The rock formation in the fountain... Is that jade?"

"It seems like the Finch family is even wealthier than we thought. Madam Lizzie is truly fortunate."

"Fortunate? I'd say it's more cunning than luck. Remember, Mr. Cyrus had a previous wife. Madam Lizzie is merely... his second."

Gossip and chatter thrived among the women. However, mindful of being at the Finch Manor for Lizzie's birthday celebration, they exchanged knowing glances and refrained from

delving deeper into the venom

focusing instead on the floral arrangements in the garden.

The conversation soon shifted to another topic.

"Has anyone seen Ms. Shaffer? I've looked everywhere, but I can't spot her."

"I took a quick look too, but she's nowhere to be found."

"That doesn't make sense. The Finches invited so many guests. Surely they wouldn't exclude Ms. Shaffer..."

Rose was currently the talk of Regalia, and omitting her from the guest list seemed highly unlikely.

"Perhaps she was invited but couldn't make it?"

"That's possible... I heard Ms. Shaffer took over the Young family. I also heard that Mr. Miles is taking a break. She must be really busy."

"What a shame! I begged my dad to bring me here, hoping to meet Ms. Shaffer. If she's not coming, then what's the point?"

"Same here! I only came because I wanted to see her."

Many of them admired Rose, hoping for the chance to meet the most powerful woman in Regalia. The thought of Rose not coming left them visibly disappointed. "It's still early. She could be on her way. Let's wait a little longer."

"Yes! Let's wait!"

The group's spirits were lifted again, yet they failed to notice that behind a wall of flowers, there was someone whose forced smile was gradually crumbling.