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Nicolette refused to let Candace get away with her snide comment. I invited Gwen to my party, and I won't let anyone bully her.
Nicolette asked, “Aunt Candace, when is your daughter coming? Did she claim she was busy because she didn't want to give me
a present?”
She changed the conversation topic to divert attention from Gwendolyn's affairs.
She had been too young to understand what had happened back then. Over the years, she pieced things together from gossip
by the other Ashton family members. Nicolette learned the Ashtons kicked Gwendolyn out of the house over her teenage
pregnancy. Her elder cousin went missing shortly after that.
Nicolette would have remained in the dark if her mother had not mentioned Gwendolyn's return. She and Francine tracked
Gwendolyn down and invited her to the party.
Nicolette had been ecstatic to see Gwendolyn again. She missed the latter dearly over the years.
Meanwhile, Candace eyed her husband, whose displeasure was palpable. She had spent years badmouthing Gwendolyn,
ensuring his support for her and Felicia.
Zachary firmly believed that Gwendolyn was a shame to him and the Ashton family. He would never help her out of such an
awkward situation.
Candace replied to Nicolette, “Fel went to her boyfriend's place. She'll be here after their dinner.”
She grinned from ear to ear, looking like the cat that ate the canary.
Her response piqued the Ashton family's curiosity. “Fel has a boyfriend? That's fast.”
“Weren't we talking about shortlisting some potential in-laws for Fel? How did things progress so quickly?”
Gwendolyn's third aunt, Christina Dannings, chimed in, “Who is he? Why didn't she bring him over to visit us? We should help

Fel to vet this man.”
“Yeah! Does he come from a rich family? If he's from an average background, it would be prudent to give her relationship a
second thought.”
Christina, who was also Candace's younger sister, piped up, “You should remind Fel not to become blinded by love. Otherwise...”
The warning came out unbidden as Christina recalled Gwendolyn's past. Deciding to spare the latter's dignity, Christina abruptly
stopped herself from blatantly mentioning her niece's sordid past. Instead, Christina merely shot Gwendolyn a disdainful glance.
Candace was just waiting for them to ask about Felicia's boyfriend.
She deliberately built the suspense by answering, “They seem to like Fel a lot. She's visited his family home twice, but we
haven't met him yet. We'll see how it goes.”
Candace's smug expression intrigued the Ashtons, and someone urged, “Who is he, Aunt Candace? Come on, don't leave us
hanging!”
After shooting Gwendolyn a cold glance, Candace announced loudly, “She's seeing the Lowens' son, Patrick Lowen.”
A second of silence ensued. Then, everyone exclaimed in unison, “Patrick Lowen?”
They exchanged glances among themselves, disappointment flooding their souls. The other Ashtons had been dreaming of their
daughters marrying into the Lowen family. Now it seemed they had lost their chance.
Lucky Fel! She started as the mistress' kid. Now, she's the Ashton family heiress and poised to marry into the wealthy Lowen
family. It's the stuff of fairytales!
“Congratulations, Candace!”
“Fel is such a lucky girl!”

Gwendolyn watched as her relatives fell all over themselves to butter up Candace.
Christina exclaimed, “Your future is brighter than ever, Candace. Such a lovely son-in-law! You'll be the subject of everyone's
envy!”
She glanced at her daughter, Rachelle Ashton, as she expressed her compliments. Hmph! My daughter's more beautiful and
intelligent than Felicia. Why isn't she this lucky?
Rachelle averted her gaze and pretended not to hear a thing.
Just then, Felicia entered the restaurant. She placed a branded shopping bag in front of Nicolette and wished her, “Happy
birthday, Nic!”
Nicolette appraised the gift and grudgingly commended her generosity. “Thank you, Fels,” she replied.
Then Felicia sat beside Gwendolyn, occupying the seat everyone had left empty out of scorn for the shunned woman.