Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 17

Sebastian did nothing of the sort.

He didn't care what others thought of him, nor did he care if Julian lived or died.

But he didn't want to put Elara in a difficult position.

Sebastian stared straight at Julian without speaking. The hall fell into an eerie silence, and just as Julian felt he was about to crack under the pressure, Sebastian drawled lazily, "My uncle here doesn't need a special introduction, does he?"

Though the guests were confused, they still chuckled politely to save face. A young man in the front row clapped loudly, shouting back, "We know him!"

Sebastian shot him a look of approval before crouching down to meet Melody's eyes. "Melody, can you cut the cake with me?"

Melody gripped his hand tightly. Hearing his request, she nervously glanced around. Though everyone was curious about her and her mother, their gazes were friendly.

Melody wasn't afraid of friendly curiosity. She looked up at Elara, and after receiving her mother's nod of approval, she agreed in a small voice, "Okay."

"Thank you, Melody."

Following Sebastian's movements, every eye in the room focused on Melody.

Julian was staring at Sebastian and Melody as well.

Over the years, the Beckett and Vance families had grown accustomed to staying out of each other's business. They maintained a surface-level relationship for Sebastian's sake, but they never got too involved.

Something like letting a member of the other family take center stage at an official event like this was absolutely unprecedented.

Kendrick and Samuel Vance both looked completely shocked, especially Samuel. Clearly, they hadn't anticipated Sebastian pulling a stunt like this either.

Why on earth was he suddenly formally introducing Elara and Melody at his own birthday banquet?

Julian couldn't wrap his head around it. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked up and glanced diagonally across the room.

Separated by a row of guests, Vivian stood clutching her shawl. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared back at him in absolute despair.

A jolt ran through Julian's body as the sheer gravity of the situation finally slammed into him.

His wedding to Elara had been an intimate affair with only close friends and family. While people in their circle knew he was married with a child, very few actually recognized Elara.

That was precisely why he had dared to blatantly bring Vivian as his plus-one to the banquet tonight.

Now that Sebastian had suddenly announced Elara's identity, what would all their mutual acquaintances think of him and Vivian?

When he eventually divorced Elara and got together with Vivian, would it spark vicious rumors about their relationship?

And then there was Vivian's father...

Surprised, Sebastian raised an eyebrow and gently pushed the plate back toward her. "Thank you for the birthday wish, sweetie, but I have my own."

Melody stared at his empty hands, thoroughly confused.

A second later, she saw the kind butler cut a fresh slice and hand it to Sebastian.

Taking his slice, Sebastian gently clinked his porcelain plate against Melody's, as if sealing a pact. "Let's eat together, okay?"

Melody beamed and nodded. "Okay!"

Only after confirming that her mother had also received a slice of cake did Melody finally feel at ease picking up her little spoon and digging in.

Cutting the cake was merely one part of the birthday banquet's itinerary; it wasn't a signal that the party was over.

Once the symbolic cake-eating was finished, the staff cleared the cake stand and brought out fresh trays of champagne and fine wine, while the orchestra transitioned into a soft, elegant violin concerto.

As the man of the hour, Sebastian raised his champagne glass, delivered another toast of gratitude, and began mingling with the crowd.

The true evening gala had officially begun.

Elara had already brought Melody back to her side, opting out of the socializing and dancing in the second half of the evening.