Seeing his daughter come home alone today, Samuel Taylor wasn’t quite sure about the situation, so he didn't bring it up. He was already satisfied with the changes in his daughter. But now that his friends mentioned it, he had to explain:

"He's busy."

"Too busy to attend your 50th birthday?"

Raegan thought about the call she had with Mitchel this morning. She knew he still didn't fully trust her, but she wasn't in a hurry. She would win this man over—it was only a matter of time.

Then she noticed the hint of satisfaction in Emily's eyes.

'Hmph, trying to embarrass me?'

‘In your dreams.’

Raegan smiled and said,

"If it were an ordinary company, it wouldn't be that busy. But he's the CEO of HX Group, a billionaire responsible for the livelihoods of millions of employees. Not only did he not have time to celebrate my dad's birthday with me today, but I don't often get to spend the entire day with him. Usually, he leaves before I get up and returns home after I've gone to sleep. I question whether I'm truly married at times.

Dad, Mitchel reminded me this morning to take good care of you. He said he'll come as soon as he can."

A blatant display of showing off.

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Samuel Taylor's son-in-law to be the CEO of HX Group. No wonder Taylor Group had formed so many partnerships with HX Group over the past year, and its market value had increased tenfold.

'But is this true?'

If it is, Samuel Taylor kept it really well-hidden. The public still thinks the CEO of HX Group is unmarried.

Samuel Taylor was delighted by his daughter's explanation.

In the past, every time she came home, she'd criticize Mitchel in every way. Today, she unexpectedly defended him.

It seems that not only has her personality improved, but her relationship with Mitchel has also gotten better.

"It’s okay, I understand his work is important. Just make sure you take good care of Mitchel at home and live a good life."

Hearing her father’s heartfelt words, Raegan nodded firmly. She would definitely do so.

Emily was furious. In the past, Raegan couldn't even stand to hear Mitchel Johnson's name. She would always replace it with some curse words. Emily never expected Raegan to actually speak up for Mitchel Johnson now.

Ever since Raegan returned today, Emily, who used to be the one receiving all the compliments and admiration, was completely overshadowed. Everyone was now focusing on Raegan's beauty, leaving her unnoticed.

Emily recalled that Raegan had arrived empty-handed today and came up with a plan.

In the afternoon, while everyone was chatting in the living room, Samuel Taylor's friends and acquaintances, all prominent figures in the business world, were present. Emily wasn't going to miss this opportunity to elevate her status.

She walked into the living room holding a box, her face radiating with a gentle and warm smile,

"Uncle, today is your birthday. I wish you a very happy birthday."

She maintained a poised, graceful, and elegant demeanor, like a well-bred lady from a prestigious family.

Emily's deliberate display certainly caught the attention of many.

"Samuel, your niece is quite the lady too."

"These two sisters each have their own charms—Emily is very gentle, but Raegan is truly beautiful."

"But she doesn’t really resemble her father."

Raegan was sipping on a glass of lime water when she heard these compliments. She almost burst out laughing.

Was that a compliment or a backhanded insult?

When someone isn't quite pretty, people tend to use other adjectives like "cute", "gentle", or "ladylike".

Emily also picked up on the underlying meaning in those compliments. While there might have been no malice, she still felt uncomfortable but tried her best to maintain her composure. She continued,

"This is a birthday gift that my mom and I prepared with our own hands. I hope you like it."

As Emily emphasized that the gift was made by her and her mother, Sophia, a flicker of something passed through Raegan’s clear eyes, quickly disappearing.

She stood up, walked right up to Emily, and snatched the gift box from her hands, all while saying, "Wow, what’s the gift?"

Emily's face changed slightly, "Raegan, this is a birthday gift for uncle. You..."

Raegan nonchalantly replied, "I know, it’s for my dad." She turned to her father,

"Dad, can I help you open the gift?"

Given how thrilled Samuel Taylor already was by his daughter’s newfound positivity, he could hardly refuse.

Though it might have been impolite to open gifts in front of everyone, compared to the past when his daughter’s presence nearly drove him to a heart attack, he didn’t care. After all, it was a gift from Emily, who wasn't exactly an outsider:

"Go ahead and open it for me."

"I’m opening it then ", Raegan said, directing her words at Emily.

She could still remember how, in the previous life, her father had contacted her after he got out of the hospital to find out what she thought of Sophia. After she had complimented Sophia, her father said he was thinking of marrying her and asked if she was in support. Looking back at her response, Raegan felt completely stupid.

For two years, her father had taken care of them without any romantic intentions, so why would he suddenly want to marry Sophia right after his birthday? Could there have been something off about this gift?

That’s why she decided to publicly open Emily's gift to her father. After all, they already viewed her as a spoiled and willful person.

Now, even if she did this, Emily and Sophia couldn’t say anything—they'd have to swallow their grievances.

Sure enough, as Raegan unwrapped the package, she noticed the brief flash of panic in Emily’s eyes, followed by a quick glance at her mother, Sophia. Raegan became even more certain that this gift was no ordinary one.

When she finally opened the box, she pulled out a moon-white silk’s nightwear for men.

Raegan’s light smile froze for a moment, "Emily, you said you and aunt Sophia handmade this? A nightwear? For my dad?"

Everyone present, all experienced in the ways of the business world, immediately sensed something amiss. They exchanged knowing glances, their expressions becoming more playful.

Sophia, sitting nearby, was also on edge, feeling as if everyone’s eyes were on her.

Raegan’s mention of "handmade" felt like she was being grilled on the spot.

Samuel Taylor’s previously warm gaze began to darken as he thought of something.

Emily was no better off. Her words had been heard by everyone.

She never expected Raegan to show up today and suddenly decide to open the gift in front of everyone.

Any other gift would have been fine, but this was a nightwear, an intimate piece of clothing. Given that Sophia was Samuel’s sister-in-law, others might start speculating.

Though Emily and her mother had their own intentions, those were private and not to be voiced aloud.