After her rebirth

"If one table seats ten people, and there are hundreds of tables, wouldn't that be thousands of people? You have that many relatives?" Daphne asked, totally floored. She was genuinely shocked.

Daphne's reaction made Carlton chuckle. Wesley's family was definitely something else.

After dealing with Anna, some folks started drinking, others chatted about the wedding, and the vibe instantly got livelier.

After getting some insight from Micah, Anna wanted to jump into the conversation so many times, but she had no clue what they were talking about. Frustrated, she looked around, feeling pretty down. Katniss sat down, lovingly stroking the gold earrings Wesley had given her. They were real gold.

Wesley must've dropped a lot of cash on them.

"Do you like gold?" Maximilian asked softly, tilting his head.

Katniss pursed her lips and closed the red velvet box. Rich people always asked the most direct questions. She replied, "Who doesn't?"

Maximilian leaned back in his wheelchair, looking all relaxed and chill, also gazing at Katniss. "Then every year on your birthday, I'll give you some."

"So, do I not get a gift this year?" Katniss asked cautiously after a bit.

It was her 20th birthday, after all.

What a cheapskate.

Maximilian chuckled, lowering his gaze to the gift list in her hand and nodding his chin towards it, "Isn't this enough?"

Katniss frowned, tears of frustration welling up. It was like she could actually keep these things.

They weren't really hers!

But looking at the gift list in her hand, Katniss got curious. She carefully opened it to see what kind of gifts rich people gave.

At the first line, Katniss's heart nearly stopped.

"$8.88 million in cash" made her eyes go wide.

"A villa."

"A red Porsche 911."

Katniss couldn't look any further. She said bitterly, "Maximilian, why give so much?"

"As the heir of both families, these gifts are nothing," Maximilian said nonchalantly, like he was saying, "Don't sweat this small change." Then he reached out to serve Clara some dishes, placing them in her bowl, "Eat something, we have things to do this afternoon." What else was there to do?

Katniss didn't bother to ask. Her mind was filled with the jaw-dropping gift list. How many people in Luminous City could match this? Moreover, before the divorce, all these assets had to be in her name.

Katniss finally got why there were so many robbers these days. In a world where the average salary was a few hundred bucks, these rich folks casually gave away millions. Who wouldn't be envious? The meal went smoothly, aside from Anna's interruptions.

Micah drank with the two elders. Wesley and Samuel didn't pass out, but he did, his neck turning red as he slumped over the table, dizzy.

He was indignant. How could he be the first to pass out?

How could his dad outdrink him?

Carlton, who hadn't eaten meat for years, picked at some vegetarian dishes while confirming the wedding process with Daphne.

Felix, seeing that they were almost done eating, had already arranged for a car to wait downstairs.

He efficiently arranged for Carlton and Samuel to be sent back first, then had the waiter bring some hangover soup for Micah and Wesley to help them sober up.

While waiting for them to sober up, Katniss dug into the dessert Maximilian had ordered for her.

It seemed like all she and Maximilian had to do was show up. The elders on both sides had everything else perfectly arranged.

As she thought about this, Katniss suddenly blushed. She had drunk too much, and her stomach hurt. She needed to hit the bathroom.

"Maximilian, I'm going to the bathroom," she said, clutching her stomach and dashing off like a rabbit.

Coming out of the bathroom, Katniss felt a bit dejected. It was so embarrassing.

What could be worse than having a stomachache from overeating in front of the guy you admire?

She grabbed a tissue to wipe her hands, tossed it in the trash, and headed back to the private room. Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Katniss! What are you doing here?" Desmond frowned, clearly displeased.

Her wrist hurt from his grip. Katniss turned around, her face instantly cold.

He was like a haunting ghost!

"Do I need your permission to go somewhere? Are you crazy?" Katniss said impatiently, shaking off Desmond's hand and continuing to walk forward. It was supposed to be a happy day, but she kept running into Desmond.

Desmond's face was dark. He stepped forward and blocked Katniss. "You haven't answered my question. What are you doing here?"

The next second, his eyes turned cold, like he had figured something out.

"Did you come with my brother?" Desmond's heart filled with anger, and he sneered coldly. "Do you think you'll get anything good by clinging to my brother? My brother is getting married soon. You're just a plaything for him." Maximilian was getting married, and Katniss shamelessly clung to him.

Did she want to be Maximilian's mistress?

Katniss's face was icy, her clear eyes filled with disdain. "Desmond, how dare you say these things to me? You're Clara's fiancé. Spend more time caring about her and stay away from me."

"Just mind your own business. Don't meddle in others' affairs. Can't you see I find you annoying?" She really thought Desmond was crazy. Didn't he hate her? Didn't he want anything to do with her? So why was he now bothering her? Hearing this, Desmond gritted his teeth, glaring at her. He sneered suddenly, "I'm just reminding you. People like my brother, who come from prestigious families, are cold and heartless. Once they're done with you, they'll discard you..." Before he could finish, a loud slap interrupted him.

Desmond's left cheek burned. He reached up to touch his face, his eyes filled with anger and disbelief, "You hit me!"

"I'm just warning you. Maximilian is not someone you can slander." Katniss's voice was icy.

She could tolerate insults directed at her, but she would never allow anyone to speak ill of Maximilian.

As they stood in a standoff, Clara and the Manners family appeared.

"What are you doing?" Elodie frowned.

From a distance, Clara recognized the dress Katniss was wearing as a new summer collection from a luxury brand.

It was expensive and not something just anyone could buy.

Her eyes flashed, and she ran over to grab Katniss's hand, her clear, innocent eyes filled with joy, "Katniss, you're at the Starry Night Hotel too? Are you here to celebrate my birthday? I knew you cared about me."