Except for Old Mr. Marshall, everyone else in the Marshall family stood up to greet them.
The other ladies exchanged glances.
Mrs. Walker nudged Mrs. Newman and whispered, “Tania hasn’t attended a banquet for a long time You’re lucky to see her tonight.”
Mrs. Newman replied softly, “She’s attending out of respect to Old Mr. Marshall.”
“That’s true. Everyone here respects Old Mr. Marshall. He’s kind–hearted enough to hold such a grand business reception once or twice a year so people can get together to talk about our daily lives. The men can even negotiate business.”
The annual Marshalls‘ banquet was like a feast for Wiltspoonians, where all kinds of company heads could make friends with people they had no chance to meet during ordinary times. They could also try to negotiate and do business.
Thus, Old Mr. Marshall’s status in the business world was extraordinary.
After all, even the York family revered him.
Old Mrs. York would even call Old Mr. Marshall by name affectionately when she saw him.
Outside the hotel, Serena was escorted out of the car by her man. He was very gentlemanly and took special care of her.
He was worried she would be unsteady while wearing stilettos.
Serena said to him with a low smile, “If I had to wear heels this high in the past, I definitely wouldn’t be able to walk, but I’m used to it now. Don’t worry. I promise I won’t embarrass you tonight.”
“I’m not afraid of being embarrassed. What’s important is that you’re happy and not wronged.”
Serena’s finger mischievously tickled the palm of his hand as she laughed. “I’m your wife. Who would dare cross me?”
This little action of hers caused Zack to want to tie her into his arms and kiss her fiercely a million times.
She was simply a little minx, always teasing him in public so he could not punish her.
Zack’s team of bodyguards responsibly opened a path for him and Serena. They prevented anyone from approaching them as they wished.
The husband and wife followed behind their parents and walked toward the Marshalls.
Everyone greeted each other.
The Marshalls‘ gaze focused on Serena in the end.
Serena was charming. Her aura was not inferior either. She was elegant and graceful without being petty.
Zack and Serena had gone public with their marriage long ago. However, they had not attended any event of the elite circle together. Serena usually attended banquets with Mrs. Stone, while Mrs. Marshall did not show up much. Therefore, it was the Marshalls‘ first time meeting Serena.
The famous figure of Wiltspoon for the past six months, Mrs. York, was not as inferior as the rumors described so to the Marshalls.
On the contrary, they felt she was a good match for Zack when they stood together. They looked as if they were made for each other.
Those who said Serena was inelegant and not good enough for Zack were definitely jealous. They were envious of her being favored by the heavens.
“This is my wife, Serena.”
Zack introduced Serena to the Marshalls.
Next, he introduced the Marshalls to Serena as well. After that, she greeted everyone all smiling.
Mrs. Marshall said to Tania with a smile, “Tania, I’m so envious of you. Your daughter–in–law looks like a fine, kind, and filial child. You’ll be able to enjoy a happy life in the future.”
Tania laughed and said, “Of course. Serena has won my heart. I don’t have a daughter, so I’ll treat and love my daughter–in–law like one.”
Mrs. Marshall beamed. “I knew it from a glance. You truly care about your daughter–in–law.”
The sets of jewelry Old Mrs. York gifted Tania back in the years were extremely expensive. Tania was a person who owned a lot of jewelry, but she treasured those given to her by Old Mrs. York. the most. She would only wear a set of them at grand events.
However, all pieces of her favorite and most precious set of jewelry were worn by Serena now.
Would Tania have let Serena wear them if she did not like her daughter–in–law?
Rumors by outsiders that the pair had a bad relationship could not be trusted.
“I have three sons, but I only have one daughter–in–law. I treat Serena like a pearl.”
Tania pulled Serena to her side. They entered the hotel while talking to the ladies of the Marshall family.
“Jules, you don’t know how much Zack keeps complaining that I’m snatching his wife. I just wanted to go shopping and buy some stuff with my daughter–in–law, but Zack and my husband would have a strong opinion about it. Zack, in particular, is almost treating me as his love rival.
Mrs. Marshall’s name was Julie. Tania was close to her, so she called her by her nickname, Jules
Mrs. Marshall smiled and said, “The men in your family all behave like that.”
She teased Serena, “It must’ve been hard on you to tolerate Zack’s bad temper, Serena.”
Serena defended her husband with a grin. “Mrs. Marshall, Zack is actually very nice. I get along well with him, and he’s very tolerant of me as well.”
“I’m good friends with your mother–in–law and Audrey. You can call me Aunt Jules.”
Mrs. Marshall’s name was Julie Marshall, née Miller.
“Aunt Jules.”
Serena changed the way she addressed Mrs. Marshall.
Mrs. Marshall thought Serena’s voice was pleasant. She held her hand in a friendly manner and complimented her.
Serena responded to everyone’s compliments with grace, which disappointed those who wanted to see her make a fool of herself.
Some people thought Mrs. Stone was indeed good at teaching. Serena had only attended a few banquets with Mrs. Stone, yet she had managed to train a country bumpkin into a graceful missus of a wealthy family.
The York family of four went on to meet Old Mr. Marshall.
After looking at Serena for some time, Old Mr. Marshall did not say a word. However, he gave her a generous gift in front of everyone. He even told Zack, “You two must live a happy life. Your nana won’t go wrong.”
Zack was soft toward Old Mr. Marshall. “Thank you, Old Mr. Marshall. I’ll cherish and love. Seren a lot.”
Old Mr. Marshall smiled kindly. He was much older than Old Mrs. York, and his energy could not compare to hers.
He would only meet youngsters of higher status and prominence like Zack. Ordinary people would not dare to disturb him.
Guests from wealthy families gradually arrived.
Mrs. Stone and his husband came slightly later with their daughter. Clive and his wife were absent.
Alice was pregnant and had terrible morning sickness. Many people were attending the banquet, so there were worries about someone bumping into her. Therefore, Clive strongly disagreed about his wife coming. He was absent as well to accompany his wife back home.
The second son of the Stone family did not do business, so he never participated in any events of the business world.
Therefore, only Mr. and Mrs. Stone came with Elisa.
They went to greet Old Mr. Marshall too.
Old Mr. Marshall did not spot Clive and his wife, so he asked Mrs. Stone, “Why aren’t Clive and
Alice here?”
Mrs. Stone smiled and said, “Alice is pregnant, so it’s inconvenient for her to come over. Clive is accompanying her at home. He told me to apologize to you in his stead for his absence tonight.”
Old Mr. Marshall laughed. “They’re all youngsters I’ve watched over as they grew up. How can I be petty about them not coming because of their own matters? Alice being pregnant is good news. It’s better that she doesn’t come. There are too many people here. It’ll be bad if someone bumps into her.
“You must invite me to the baby’s sip and see shower next year.”
Joy filled the Marshalls‘ eyes upon hearing Old Mr. Marshall’s words. They thought he would be able to live for several years more if he kept thinking about the Stone family’s celebration.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.