Chapter 718
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The chandeliers inside the Fletcher family’s party hall threw long, elegant shadows across the floor. As soon as Aria and Owen walked into the main room, Adamson stepped up with a smile and held out his hand. “Owen, long time no see.”
Seacrest Law Firm had handled a lot of corporate cases over the years, and one of them had been for the Fletcher Group. While the two men caught up, Norah approached Aria with a warm smile.
She wore a Huthailian-style skirt suit, and the pearls on her ears swayed slightly when she moved. “Ms. Saxon, it’s lovely to meet you,” she said.
Aria shook her hand and replied politely, “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fletcher.”
Norah looked sweet and elegant, but Aria had already heard stories about her, like how she’d taken over a film company just last month, and she hadn’t pulled any punches doing it.
Fryderyk came over quickly and guided Aria and Owen farther inside. He leaned toward Aria and whispered, “Thanks.”
Aria gave a small smile. “No big deal.”
Meanwhile, near the entrance, Norah glanced at the three of them and said with a grin, “My mother-in-law told me my son. didn’t have any female friends and had been getting close to Aria. Guess he never stood a chance.”
Adamson nodded. “I didn’t think those two would end up together. Honestly, I thought Kim and Aria made more sense.”
He wasn’t talking about looks. He meant chemistry, ambition, and compatibility. Kim had real power, and if Aria married him, both the Shaw Group and Stars Group would level up fast.
Just then, the entrance buzzed with movement. Kim walked in with Cloe, who looked stunning in her formal dress. A little girl was bouncing along beside them.
Norah raised her eyebrows. “Now that’s a power couple. Quit trying to play matchmaker.”
Adamson looked surprised. “Cloe’s got a kid? And Kim’s cool with that?”
Norah’s voice got sharper. “So what if she does? Cloe’s gorgeous and built Amour Bistro all on her own. Honestly, I think Kim’s a bit too stiff for someone like her.” She added, “And who says that little girl isn’t Kim’s daughter?”
Adamson gave a small laugh. “I wasn’t judging Cloe. Why are you picking a fight with me?”
Norah didn’t bother answering. She walked straight over and greeted Cloe first. “Miss Woods, it’s been a while. “Norah was a generation older, but calling Cloe by her last name was just a polite way of being familiar.
Cloe smiled. “Mrs. Fletcher, just call me Cloe. This is my daughter, Julia. Sweetheart, say hi.”
Julia smiled sweetly. “Hi, Mrs. Fletcher.”
Norah burst out laughing. “You’re adorable. With that sweet mouth, you can just go ahead and call me Grandma.” She meant it. If Fryderyk had settled down earlier, she’d probably already have grandkids by now.
“Wow, are grandmothers really this young?” Julia’s eyes lit up. Norah had given birth to Fryderyk when she was twenty-three and had spent years focusing on her career. She worked out regularly and took care of herself.
Now in her early fifties, she looked like she was in her forties. Standing next to Fryderyk, people could’ve mistaken them for siblings. Norah beamed. She made up her mind to start pushing her son harder to get married.
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Then Julia turned to Adamson and said, “So should I call you Great-Grandpa?”
Adamson’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He didn’t think he looked that old. Norah lost it. She laughed, unfiltered.
Cloe looked a little flustered. “Actually, he’s Grandpa. He’s Mrs. Fletcher’s husband.”
Julia giggled, a little embarrassed. “Sorry, Grandpa. I thought you were her dad.”
Adamson, who was only six years older than Norah, forced a smile. “No problem.” But he made a mental note to start using anti-aging cream.
In the center of the party hall, the birthday celebration hadn’t officially kicked off yet. Most of the early arrivals were younger guests.
Amanda spotted Aria from across the room and quietly stepped away from her group. She walked over, champagne in hand. “Fryderyk, I’m impressed. You got Aria to show up.”
Then she turned to Aria with a smile. “How’s that new batch of wine?”
“It’s nice,” Aria said casually. “Just not very strong.”
Amanda chuckled. “Yeah, it was made with women in mind. Low alcohol content on purpose.”
Her gaze shifted to Owen. “Looks like Mr. Shaw pulled it off.”
Owen smiled. “I’m lucky.”