Chapter 299
Chapter 299 A Joyful Birthday Gathering
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It was Opal’s birthday. Reed and the others did not want Wendy’s trouble to ruin her happy mood.
“Alright p>
A waiter had already opened the private room door for them. They could hear Opal chatting and laughing happily with Elara inside. A soft smile spread across Zora’s face.
“Zora’s here!” Elara spotted her first.
“Welcome, dear.” Opal’s smile grew wider when she saw Zora. She turned around, her kind face full of warmth.
Zora walked quickly into the room. “Happy birthday, Grandma p>
“Thank you, dear. Just seeing you makes me happy p>
Opal took Zora’s hand, her eyes filled with fond affection.
“Grandma, you only have eyes for her now. You’ve forgotten all about us.” Reed walked in behind them and joked around.
“You’ve pestered me enough today. Can’t I spoil my sweet granddaughter a little?” Opal shot Reed a playful look.
“Mom, Dad, Grandpa…” Zora greeted everyone else in the room.
Opal had not invited many guests for her birthday. Only Chet’s family, the Marlow family and Leighton were there. It was just one table of people in total.
Jensen’s parents worked at an embassy overseas and only came back home for Christmas. They had sent fine birthday gifts early on for Opal’s big day.
“You shouldn’t have brought me a present.” Opal sat down on the sofa with Zora, holding the gift box in her hands.
“It’s nothing expensive, just a painting.” Zora smiled.
The piece was Mountain Eagle, a work by a renowned master. It had sold for 450 million at
auction.
Zora had gotten it years ago when she and her mentor visited an auction house. Someone could not pay enough money for the medicine they bought, so they traded the painting instead.
A few days earlier, she had called Earl and asked him to fetch the painting from the storage
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Chapter 299 A Joyful Birthday Gathering
room at their house in Maplewood and send it to her by delivery.
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Floyd and Chet were playing chess beside the coffee table. The two elders argued loudly over their fishing trips, their faces turning red. Jeremy stood nearby, watching the game to learn a few moves.
Jensen and Leighton were still tied up with work and had not arrived yet. Kian had a surgery to perform and would come later too.
Reed and Hallie had gotten there ahead of everyone else. Once Zora joined them, the three decided to play cards together.
Zora was not very good at the game. Even when Reed and Hallie let her win on purpose, she still lost time and again. Many small paper slips were stuck all over her face as a forfeit.
“Zora, I’ve drawn my cards. You need to hit or stand now,” they taught her while playing.
“Okay.” Zora listened carefully.
They finished another round, and Zora lost once more.
“Wow, your luck is really bad today p>
Reed and Hallie leaned over to look at her remaining cards.
They exchanged glances. They’d tried to help her win, but luck simply wasn’t on her side.
Hallie scratched her head. People always said new players got lucky streaks, but Zora’s luck had been terrible the whole time.
“Time to put on another slip!” Hallie picked up a piece of paper.
Zora leaned her head forward obediently. She wore a big smile even after losing. She had never played this game before and thought it was really fun.
“Let me add one too.” Reed stuck another slip on her cheek. Soon her face was covered all over with paper slips.
“Go easy on her, you two.” Opal and Elara watched them and laughed.
“It’s fine, Grandma, Mom. It won’t be fun if they let me win.” Zora waved her hand.
Just then, Jensen and Leighton walked in. A gust of wind from the doorway lifted the paper slips on Zora’s face, and the sight made everyone want to laugh.
“Jensen, Leighton, you’re here.” Opal and Elara greeted them with brighter smiles.
The three card players looked up. The slips on their foreheads fluttered in the air. Zora blinked
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and raised one hand to hold down the flying paper.
“Hi, Jensen, Leighton.” Reed spoke first.
“Hello, Jensen, Leighton.” Hallie greeted them next.
“Jensen, Leighton,” Zora said.
Leighton’s gaze settled on Zora, and a warm smile filled his eyes.
Zora rolled her eyes at him.
Leighton didn’t feel embarrassed at all. His smile only grew wider after getting glared at.
“Happy birthday, Mrs. Marlow. May you stay healthy and live a long, blessed life.” Leighton stepped into the room and offered his best wishes with a smile.
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The Real Heiress’s New Family Adored by All
Jane is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.