He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 353

Julian Sterling watched his series of erratic movements and couldn't help but comment. "Putting on a show this early in the morning?"

Julian had shared a room with Zara Zimmer last night, though the quarters were much smaller than their estate back home.

Zara had worked until three in the morning. She hadn't even reacted when Josie fell into the water, while Julian had spent the entire night partying in the main lounge.

Around nine o'clock, Margot Harrington had made a brief appearance, chatting with several of the older guests in the lounge for half an hour.

Everyone knew the truth: Margot couldn't let go of her youngest son, and with the eldest branch of the family lacking heirs, this lavish birthday banquet was secretly a matchmaking event. She was personally scouting for potential marriage alliances.

She only had one biological grandson, and he was a rebellious one. He had run off to join a foreign special forces unit, constantly dancing on the edge of life and death, and refused to come home. The Harrington family was already small; with her youngest son missing for over two decades and her only grandson refusing to return, Margot had projected her need for family onto others. Lydia Thorne was one of those projections.

But deep down, Margot knew Lydia wasn't her own flesh and blood.

So she desperately wanted to find a suitable marriage alliance to anchor her grandson. That half-hour of casual conversation was actually her subtly evaluating all the eligible young women from prominent families to see if any caught her eye.

But after scanning the room, she felt none of them quite measured up.

Dozens of people were eager to attach themselves to the Harrington family. The moment Margot appeared last night, she was surrounded. By her side was Mrs. Hennessey, her loyal confidante who had been with her since childhood and was now in her forties.

As Mrs. Hennessey guided the elderly matriarch through the crowd, all the meticulously dressed socialites held their breath, desperately hoping to catch Margot's eye. But Margot remained perfectly composed. The only time she offered a genuine smile was when she saw Lydia. She held Lydia's hand, chatted for ten minutes, and affectionately patted Josie's head.

The crowd instantly understood Lydia's unshakeable status in Margot's heart. The moment Margot left, everyone swarmed Lydia.

Anyone hoping to marry into the Harrington family wanted Lydia to put in a good word for them.

Lydia effortlessly became the center of attention. A smug smile tugged at her lips. This was her life—she could dominate this elite circle without even trying, simply because she was a Thorne.

Her eyes scanned the room for Nelson. Fireworks began to light up the sky, painting a brilliant display across the expansive windows.

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