After Divorcing the Tycoon, I Married into a Wealthy Family Again-Chapter 53: Substitute

The banquet venue extended from indoors to outdoors, and Florence Fuller, holding Luke Gardiner’s hand, walked through the arched corridor to the entrance of the banquet.

The moment the door opened, a popping sound was heard, petals flew around, and Florence Fuller was momentarily stunned by the scene inside the banquet hall.

The background was dynamic music, and the atmosphere was filled with cheering crowds.

It didn’t look like a serious banquet at all; it was clearly a party.

She wondered if Luke had brought her to the wrong place, and in the next second, she heard a chorus of cheers: "Brother Gardiner, happy birthday!"

Inside, the sound of celebratory cheers erupted, reaching the heavens, and the smile on Florence Fuller’s face gradually receded.

She wanted to withdraw her hand, but Luke held onto it tightly, not letting her leave.

"Who’s the beautiful woman you’re with, Brother Gardiner?"

"I’ve never seen you bring this beauty before."

"Wow, how incredible... this stunning beauty, Brother Gardiner, you’re in for a treat tonight..."

"..."

"..."

"Stop talking nonsense." Afraid the comments would become more unpleasant, Luke looked at the crowd with a warning in his eyes: "This is my wife, we’re officially married."

Clearly, the laughing and joking crowd was taken aback.

Florence Fuller raised the corners of her lips into a cold smile, quite ironic.

Luke tightened his grip on Florence Fuller’s hand and looked at the people blocking the way: "Move aside quickly!"

The crowd hurriedly made way.

Luke took a step forward, but Florence Fuller remained still.

He turned back toward Florence Fuller and leaned closer, saying softly, "Give me some face, okay? I’m not lying to you; whether you know them or not, these people are all part of the circle, it’ll be good for you to know them."

From an outsider’s perspective, Luke was holding her gently, whispering into her ear, appearing intimate.

Florence Fuller looked at him, they were very close, but her eyes were filled with coldness.

Luke felt a pang in his heart.

If he had told her it was his birthday, she wouldn’t have come at all.

Florence Fuller pushed him away, her elegant face now showed a gentle smile, and she smiled at these people, stepping inside.

Luke hurriedly followed.

"Oh... well... the sister-in-law is here, the real one is here."

The person speaking tried to liven up the atmosphere, but with the announcement of the real sister-in-law’s arrival, everyone in the banquet hall stared at Florence Fuller.

Eleanor Sussex frowned, "Why is she here?"

Her friend Diana Bennett smirked, "She must have come on her own. There’s never been a time when she was at Young Master Gardiner’s birthday parties."

With Diana Bennett’s words, the people around began to laugh as well.

"Who doesn’t know that on the day she got married, Brother Gardiner turned around and left the country with another woman? Embarrassing."

"They say the Gardiner Family’s young mistress is low-key, but I think she’s just too ashamed to show her face."

"Don’t speak too soon. I heard from my brother that Brother Gardiner needs to tone it down these days because the old master at home wants a grandchild."

"Ha ha ha ha ha."

Florence Fuller walked past their table and only caught snippets of their gossip. Standing right behind her, Luke heard these rumors and his expression turned slightly grim.

Eleanor Sussex’s face changed, she patted her friend’s shoulder, and those gossiping noticed Luke was up front, their expressions changed dramatically.

How much had he heard them say?

Luke followed alongside Florence Fuller: "Shall I introduce you to some people?"

Not that he needed to, as people naturally gathered around Luke, he cautiously placed his arm around Florence Fuller’s waist. Seeing that she didn’t refuse, he felt slightly relieved.

"Happy birthday, Brother!"

One by one, people surrounded them, sneaking glances at Florence Fuller while speaking, perhaps out of curiosity as to why someone as fun-loving as Luke brought his wife out.

"Sister-in-law is... truly beautiful, Brother Gardiner, you two are a match made in heaven."

"Of course my wife is beautiful." He stood by Florence Fuller’s side: "She’s quite amazing."

Seeing Luke’s protective demeanor, everyone just went along, cheerfully flattering him: "Yes, yes, Brother Gardiner, your wife is the best."

Florence Fuller kept a smile on her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She downed the red wine in her hand in one gulp, and before she could set down the empty glass, Luke reached over to take it and replaced it with a glass of juice for her.

"Don’t keep drinking wine; have some juice instead."

"Oh—" Edward Renfield joined in: "Luke Gardiner, you’re quite considerate to your wife now, aren’t you?"

Florence looked at the juice in her hand, waved down a passing waiter, and once the waiter arrived, she placed the juice on the tray and picked up another glass of red wine.

Her actions seemed to signify something.

Edward Renfield chuckled: "Sister-in-law certainly knows how to drink, huh."

"Indeed, indeed." Others echoed: "Brother Gardiner, next time you have dinner, bring your wife along."

"She’s usually quite busy." Luke knew she was holding back her temper at the moment, but couldn’t help but look down at her composed side profile, leaning in closer, acting intimately: "Isn’t that right, busy person?"

Florence Fuller pressed her hand against his chest, resisting the urge to throw a glass of wine in his face.

"Stop being lovey-dovey, this is your show tonight, say a few words, come on, if you don’t start the fun, how will everyone enjoy it?"

Luke chuckled lightly and clinked his glass with Florence Fuller’s: "Together."

Florence Fuller smiled, her eyes darkened slightly: "You go ahead."

Luke released her and walked toward the center of attention.

Florence Fuller seized the moment to look around, searching for an exit. Failing to spot it, her gaze unexpectedly met Clara Fuller’s.

Clara Fuller wore a light pink chiffon gown, giving off a sweet and fresh vibe. After the exchange with Laura Yates, she smoothly joined Light Industries and seemed to be doing well.

With a bright smile, Clara Fuller elegantly approached Florence Fuller.

"Florence, I didn’t expect to see you here."

Having heard enough derogatory remarks about Florence, Clara Fuller was pleased: "Anyone would think Young Master Gardiner has reformed for good."

Luke Gardiner’s voice echoed through the banquet hall’s microphone, and the crowd’s support was enthusiastic, cheering.

Florence Fuller walked towards Clara Fuller: "Why don’t you go and ask if he’s reformed?"

Clara Fuller choked up, then laughed it off: "How could I ask such a question?"

"Then why bring it up with me?" Her expression had turned impatient: "Mind your own business."

Clara Fuller felt a little upset at being snubbed: "Florence, like it or not, I’m your sister."

"Sister?" Florence Fuller found it amusing: "Are you a real daughter of the Fuller Family? You’re just a replacement that was picked up."

Her words struck directly at Clara Fuller’s sore spot. Since Florence’s return, she was no longer the Fuller Family’s only beloved daughter; everyone knew she had been adopted.

"Replacement!" Clara Fuller glared at her: "Doesn’t mom still love me the most? And you, what about you, even if you are her biological child!"

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