A sharp intake of breath cut through the crowd.


    Someone in the crowd gasped, the sound echoing in the tense air.


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    The young guests were stunned by the neer’s striking looks and cocky attitude, but the family heads and a few heirs–to–be instantly recognized who he was.


    “Alexei? What’s he doing here?” someone whispered in disbelief.


    “Does this mean Mr. Turner is here for Natasha’s birthday?” someone spected, their voice full of curiosity.


    “No way, I think he’s here for Olivia. Olivia’s way more likable than Natasha with her temper,” another person chimed in.


    Someone else muttered, “Who would’ve thought? Andrew really kept his connection with Mr. Turner under wraps for so long and never said a word.”


    The guests who had beenughing at the rk family’s expense couldn’t help but start feeling jealous.


    Even the rk siblings, who’d just stirred up trouble, were suddenly forgotten.


    They felt that the rk family’s career was about to take off.


    But Andrew, the object of everyone’s envy, just looked utterly confused.


    He hadn’t even sent Alexei an invitation.


    It was not that he didn’t want to. It was just that the rk family’s invitation wasn’t even worthy of reaching Alexei.


    Even though everyone assumed Alexei was here to celebrate, Andrew, whose nerves had been shot all night, suddenly felt his rm bells start ringing.


    He was way more worried about the whole event getting ruined than about riding the Turner family’s coattails.


    He hurried over and said, “Mr. Turner, wee! Your presence truly graces us tonight.”


    Alexei shot Andrew a dismissive nce, ignoring his outstretched hand. Instead, he casually beckoned to someone behind him. “Come here.”


    The intimate way he said it made everyone stop and stare,


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    The fireworks overhead were still bursting in the sky, but now every gaze was drawn to wherever Alexei was looking.


    Faye pursed her lips. “Some people really do get all the luck.”


    Before she could say another word, her mom pinched and twisted the soft flesh at her waist, making her gasp.


    Faye sucked in a breath, shot her mom a defiant gesture, indicated that she would shut up, and barely escaped another round of her mom’s warning.


    Most people still couldn’t believe what they were seeing.


    The only ones standing in Alexei’s line of sight were Lucas, looking seriously pissed off, and Natasha, who was stuck behind him with her wrist in his grip.


    It was pretty obvious who Alexei was talking to.


    Everyone was racking their brains, trying to figure out when Natasha had even crossed paths with Alexei.


    They were surprised that she convinced him to show up for a simple birthday party like this.


    They wondered if those two were that close.


    While everyone was busy overthinking, Alexei and Lucas locked eyes from across the room, sparks practically flying between them.


    Of course, the only one actually burning up was Lucas.


    Alexei didn’t even spare him a nce. He couldn’t care less.


    Alexei’s eyes were full of scorn. Lucas loved forcing people to fight for status, so Alexei made sure he was locked in as Natasha’s brother–inw by handing him Olivia as his fiancée.


    He felt that having the advantage meant nothing if Lucas was just a fool getting yed.


    Seeing Lucas shamelessly stand in the way of Natasha, Alexei snapped. He frowned, clearly annoyed. “Let go.”


    Lucas held on tightly to Natasha, refusing to let her go.


    So much had happened tonight. Fragments of events and emotions were tangled together, leaving his mind inplete chaos.


    But the moment Alexei appeared, everything suddenly made sense.


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    Even without any evidence, his instincts screamed that Alexei was definitely behind the mess with the engagement tonight.


    Just as the rumors said, he was truly despicable.


    Fueled by anger, Lucas squeezed Natasha’s wrist even harder.


    Natasha felt a sharp pain shoot through her wrist.


    Before Alexei could say another word, Natasha mmed her foot into his calf hard.


    If Lucas hadn’t still had some reflexes, he would’ve dropped to one knee right then and there


    Lucas whipped his head around, disbelief written all over his face.


    His calf was aching like hell. He was pretty sure it was already bruising.


    But what really stung was how Natasha had kicked him in front of everyone, not holding back at all. That hurt way more than just his pride. <fnd933> Checktest chapters at find?novel</fnd933>


    “Natasha…” Lucas muttered.


    He just couldn’t believe she’d stab him in the back.


    Lucas’s parents were startled and quickly rushed over to steady Lucas, making sure he didn’t do anything else out of line.


    Meanwhile, now free from his grip, Natasha strode confidently over to Alexei, who had let out a brief chuckle when she kicked Lucas.


    She teased him, “What took you so long?”


    Alexei naturally took her wrist and gently massaged it. “Went to get something ready.”


    Natasha’s eyes curved with a smile. “I’m very satisfied.”


    Alexei just smiled and said nothing.


    Natasha thought Alexei had beente because he was busy making sure Olivia and Lucas got exposed on the livestream, and that Noel, Olivia, and Matthew got humiliated upstairs.


    But those people weren’t even worth much effort. Alexei had just sent someone to stir the pot a little and nudge their ns off course. That was more than enough for them to reap what they’d sown.


    What really took up his time was getting her birthday present ready.


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    But she’d find out about that soon enough.


    Alexei didn’t care at all that they were in the spotlight.


    After checking her wrist, he just rested his hand lightly on her soft belly,pletely unfazed by Lucas’s predatory re.


    It wasn’t anything sleazy, but honestly, it was almost too close forfort in front of


    everyone.


    “Have you eaten yet? Are you hungry?” Alexei asked, his voice gentle.


    They’d slept way toote that afternoon, so Natasha had only grabbed some fruit to keep her stomach from growling beforeing over.


    She’d meant to snack on some pastries at the party, but people just kept stirring up trouble. She shook her head honestly.


    Ignoring the shocked stares from everyone around them, Alexei nced over, then casually led Natasha to a long table under a wall of flowers.


    The table was covered in all kinds of delicious little treats, their sweet aroma filling the air.


    The rk family wasn’t much, but their chef’s got skills.


    What Alexei didn’t know was that tonight’s desserts were made by a chef from a private bakery that Natasha loved. Lucas had specifically asked them toe.


    But it didn’t matter. Alexei was more than happy to take credit for someone else’s thoughtful gesture.


    He picked out a few of the best–looking treats and set them in front of her, then grabbed a ss of juice from a waiter’s tray and ced it next to her.


    Once he had her settled like a little kid, he finally seemed satisfied.


    “Here, have something <i>to </i>eat first,” Alexei said gently.


    Then he asked, “Do you like the fireworks?”


    Natasha looked up in surprise. “You were the one who arranged the fireworks?”


    She had thought the rk family had set them off to celebrate the engagement.


    She thought, ‘No wonder tonight’s fireworks are so beautiful and over–the–top. They are just


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    <b>as </b>impressive as the grand disys in cities known for their fireworks festivals.


    “They’d been going nonstop ever since Alexei walked in.


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    Alexei raised an eyebrow. “Of course. A birthday deserves a real spectacle. Whatever anyone else can do, you should have it all and more.”


    As he finished speaking, the fireworks above morphed into a dazzling new disy.


    Huge letters were disyed in the sky. It read: [Happy Birthday, Natasha]. The letters bloomed in the night sky, framed by bursts of vibrant flowers.


    Ever since the year she was six, when the fireworks got ruined by the rain, Natasha never had birthday fireworks set off for her again.


    So many times, when she was little, she could only hide in the shadows, watching Olivia bask in happiness, feeling guilty for being jealous.


    She thought, ‘Someone like me doesn’t deserve it!


    But right now, that brilliant light filled her eyes, making them shine like a sky full of stars.


    With a smile in her eyes, Natasha looked up and said with rare sincerity, “Thank you.”


    After so many years, she finally felt what it was like to be truly cherished again.


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