Harper : 76 55 vouchers Just as I told myself that I would have to sit there and act like it didn't bother me , the entire guests near the entrance cheered , making Tiffany and Grayson stop dancing . I wanted to thank whoever was responsible so badly . My head turned and I spotted Mrs Aldridge walking in first , her shimmering dress making her stand out even more . Behind her was Mr Aldridge , his hand in the pocket of his tailored suit , as usual . I had never seen him in anything else . She was the only vibing to the music with a light head bop while he didn't seem interested in it . Behind him was a cake with four tiers covered in black and gold fondant . The top also had sparkles . It looked so good that I wanted to taste it right away . We all got out of our seats for a closer look , except for Kate . Mrs Aldridge stopped right near the DJ Booth , pointing at the DJ so he could cut the music and he had no choice but to oblige . " Thank you all for coming to my son's birthday ! Where's my darling son ? Oh , here he comes ! " The whole place erupted in loud cheers as Maddox approached with a small smile . She made him stand right between her and his father , then held onto the side of his arm before she spoke . " I made sure to use gold leaf for the lettering . That's right . I baked this cake myself . Doesn't it look spectacular ? " Her eyes rolled back as she bragged . They gave her a round of applause , making her place a hand on her chest as she nodded a few times with a smile , but she paused when she spotted me , shooting me a glare while keeping that smile . She quickly looked away , leading everyone into singing the Happy Birthday song . Maddox looked polished while standing there but his eyes didn't match the rest of his face . He just looked like someone playing the role of the birthday boy . She clapped theatrically when he cut into the cake and said , " Make sure you get the bottom layer , honey . There's some red velvet in it , my favorite . " She proudly tilted her chin . As soon as he put down the knife , she didn't wait for anyone and picked up a piece to feed him . He took it without protest and even let her dab the corner of his mouth with a napkin . Everyone was amazed and even took pictures and videos of that sweet moment , " We have a present for you , " she said , taking out a small emerald green box from her handbag and handing it to him . He opened it , holding up a pair of silver keys . " And what are these ? " " Keys , isn't it obvious ? " She made the crowd chuckle . " Remeber that estate that was up for sale , Larkspur Hills ? Your father and I bought it . We thought you deserved it for working so hard and it's worthy of your name . " 7:27 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 26 76 55 vouchers Zoey and Ella gasped behind me . Everyone seemed more impressed than he was as he only gave another polished smile . " Thank you , " he said with the same energy one would use when talking about the nice weather . " You're welcome , son . " His father nodded at him like that was some kind of performance review . Just as Tiffany was about to reveal her present , another voice cut through the air . It was loud , teasing and completely unapologetic . " Is that the birthday punk I see or maybe some kid pretending like this is his party ? " Maddox's energy shifted right away . He turned so fast Tiffany lost her grip on his arm . His smile now reached his eyes as his entire face lit up . He quickly pushed through the crowd like he was impatient to get to someone . Following the source of the voice and how the other guests had begun to step back to make him stand out , I spotted a handsome man around Mr Aldridge's age . He was in a white pair of smart pants , his brown cap matching his shirt . He opened his arms wide with a warm smile , waiting for Maddox . " Uncle ! " he said when he was close enough . They hugged each other a little too long , like two people who hadn't seen each other in years and they both laughed loudly . I chuckled in amazement that Maddox was actually laughing . Breaking the hug , he turned to face the crowd with his arm thrown over his uncle's shoulder . " Everyone , " Maddox said with so much enthusiasm , " this is my Uncle Sebastian . Feel free to mingle with him , just don't let him teach you how to gamble ! " As the crowd laughed , his uncle made it seem like he'd put him in a head lock , and he laughed again as he looked through the crowd but the moment he spotted me , his expression went blank . He'd been showing off how happy he was to everyone after his uncle had arrived , but seeing me gave him the realization that I had once again seen the difference and this time , it was perfectly clear . Maybe he was tired of pretending because when our eyes met again and his uncle said something to him , he laughed hard . " Alright ! " Uncle Sebastian clapped his hands loudly . " Now that we've got that boring estate part out of the way , " he gave Mrs Aldridge a smirk that made her sneer , " how about something a little.... faster ? " Everyone wondered what was going on and he quickly took Maddox outside , all of us just following along as we wondered what it was we were going to find . Right outside was a beast of a jet black motorbike . It looked like it was built for danger and those who were familiar with the thrill of riding one of those , whistled a few times . While everyone was impressed , Ella leaned towards me to whisper . " Okay but isn't that motorbike like not even close to the price of the estate his parents just gave him ? It's not a big deal . It's just a bike ." 7:27 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 26 : 76 55 vouchers I stared at Maddox and the way he rushed to the bike like it was his dream come true . He threw his leg over it and held onto the handles like he had gotten something that made sense to him . His uncle was right beside him , patting him on the back as he told him to take it for a spin . " Maybe , " I began , " it's the thought behind it that counts . " He took it for a spin right there in the front yard , everyone moving further away while cheering him on and taking pictures and videos . As soon as he got off , he went straight to his uncle again and hugged him tightly . " You're the best ! " " I know ! " The moment was so beautiful that everyone just took it in , except Mr and Mrs Aldridge , who stood at a distance . She folded her arms and pursed her lips like she couldn't stand that moment and just wanted it to end . He was right beside her with a blank expression , like he was watching someone else's son . Maddox received more gifts from Grayson , Tiffany , his friends and cousins , but I hadn't yet given him mine . I just needed to find the right moment to hand it to him while alone . When it was time to feast , everyone came to the dining room . There was so much that I didn't know what to start with and I wasn't the only one . I was with Ella and Zoey , the three of us walking around with arms folded . " I don't think I have the stomach to even have a taste of everything . " Ella sighed . " The night is still young . We can always come back for more ." Zoey sounded a little flirtatious and it only made sense when I looked over at her and followed her gaze . She was looking right at Aiden , who was across the room and checking her out . " He's barely taken his eyes off you , " I teased her . " That's right ." Ella chuckled . " Same goes for you , Ella . Don't think I haven't been watching you closely with Adrian . " She cleared her throat . " Let's just get some food , okay ? " The three of us finally got to decide on what we wanted to eat first , whispering among ourselves while looking around . " Quick question , who's hotter between Maddox's dad and uncle ? " Zoey popped a cherry in her mouth . " Ooh ... that's a hard one ! What do you think , Harp ? " Ella called me a few times more and I could hear her , but I couldn't pay attention to anything else as my stomach twisted . Right across the room , Grayson was feeding Tiffany like they were all alone . He gently wiped 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 26 : her mouth with a napkin , even trailing his thumb over the spot just to make sure . " Hey , " Ella said gently . 76 E55 vouchers "I just need some air ." I set down my plate , making my way out of the dining room before they could stop me . I came to one of the quieter hallways and let out a breath I had been holding in . How much longer was I going to keep acting this way whenever I saw Grayson with Tiffany sharing intimate moments ? I only needed some time alone but couldn't even have that when a voice that was dripped with venom cut through the air . " I should've known what that awful smell was . " Mrs Aldridge approached me like she had been waiting for that moment . She scornfully looked at me from head to toe even before her steps came to a halt . " You really have no shame . " She placed a hand on her hip . " You show up to my son's birthday party when you know you don't belong here . " Keeping my composure , I said , " He's the one who invited me ." Her lips curved in cruel amusement . " Of course he invited you after you let him get in your pants . " 曲 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!