Marry Ex's Billionaire Uncle After Divorce (Aurora and Jasper) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 51 The Birthday Gala–1

Chapter 51: The Birthday Gala–1

Chapter 51: The Birthday Gala

(Author’s POV)

The Grand Monarch Hotel’s entire banquet floor had been reserved for Eleanor Everett’s birthday celebration. The lobby alone was enough to make a person stop walking.

Victoria stopped walking.

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“Good God,” she murmured, tilting her head back to take in the cascading crystal chandeliers, the walls banked with white roses and trailing greenery, the marble floors polished to a mirror shine. “The scale of this.”

Sienna stood at Jasper’s side, her hand resting in the crook of his arm, and watched Victoria’s expression cycle through awe and something that looked dangerously close to

envy.

The impulse hit her before she could stop it.

“When it’s your birthday,” Sienna said, “I’ll book this exact venue for you. Same flowers, same everything.”

Victoria turned to her with raised brows.

“You make that sound simple.”

“It will be,” Sienna said, with a confidence she did not entirely feel.

“Places like this require more than money,” Victoria said, but the corners of her mouth had already lifted. “You need connections. The right name on the reservation. It’s not something you simply call and book.”

“Then we’ll get the right name,” Sienna said smoothly.

Rosalind, clutching Victoria’s hand, craned her neck to look at a towering floral arrangement taller than most of the adults around her.

“Are those real flowers?”

“Every single one,” Victoria said, squeezing her granddaughter’s hand.

Jasper said nothing. He scanned the room intently, carefully observing the exits, the faces, and the subtle hierarchies embedded in how people positioned themselves. Sienna could sense his tension.

Chapter 51: The Birthday Gala–1

She gave it a small, reassuring press.

He didn’t respond.

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Victoria took the lead, steering them through the crowd with the practiced ease of a woman who had attended a thousand events like this. She moved toward the center of the room, where the guest of honor held court.

Eleanor Everett sat in a luxurious velvet high–backed chair. She wore a deep sapphire–blue gown, and around her neck hung a strand of pearls. She was surrounded by guests who leaned in close when she spoke and laughed at precisely the right moments when she did.

Victoria approached with a warm smile and a slight incline of the head.

“Eleanor. You look extraordinary. Happy birthday.”

Eleanor accepted the greeting with gracious composure.

“Victoria. How kind of you to come.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it.” Victoria gestured to Jasper. “My son, Jasper. He’s been running Aether Life Sciences for three years now. I believe you’ve heard of the company.”

Jasper stepped forward and extended the velvet box.

“Happy birthday, Mrs. Everett. I hope this is worthy of the occasion.”

Eleanor looked at him for a moment – a real look, the kind that took stock. Then she accepted the box and opened it.

Inside, nestled against black velvet, sat an emerald brooch. The color was vivid, saturated, almost luminous. The certificate from the antique jewelry house was tucked neatly inside the

lid.

Eleanor’s expression shifted – just slightly, just for a moment – before she settled back into polished courtesy.

“Thank you. It’s very generous.”

“Nothing but the best for the occasion,” Jasper said.

Then Phineas appeared.

He wrapped his arms around his mother’s shoulders from behind and called out affectionately, “Mom.” Then he nodded at Benny, who walked over carrying a large gift box.

Benny opened it.

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* Chapter 51: The Birthday Gala–1

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The set inside was Graff – a custom commission. A Colombian emerald necklace, earrings, and bracelet, every stone GIA–certified and sourced from the Muzo mines. The color was extraordinary: deep, complex, alive with variation. The craftsmanship was flawless.

Against it, the brooch in Eleanor’s hands looked like something purchased at an airport.

Jasper struggled to keep the smile on his face.

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