What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 51

Finnian's handsome face showed a moment of thought. "I'll ask her what she wants to do."

"Well, Kaia's always been a bit aloof. In all the years you've been married, you can count the number of parties she's attended on one hand. I guess she just isn't a fan of crowds," Noelle said, speaking as if she knew Kaia inside and out. "Of course, that probably has a lot to do with how she was raised. Top students are usually like that—a little full of themselves."

Finnian didn't agree or disagree, but it was true that Kaia rarely participated in these kinds of private gatherings.

She hardly interacted with his circle of friends.

"She is a bit reserved," Finnian said flatly. "Not as outgoing and lively as you."

Noelle sighed dramatically, her eyes sparkling with charm. "That's because the Sanders family raised me. You gave me so much love that I had no choice but to be outgoing."

Finnian chuckled and nodded. "That might be it."

Noelle's tone turned breezy. "I'm going to get back to work then. We'll head over together tonight."

"Sounds good."

Sitting at his desk, Finnian picked up the landline and dialed Kaia.

"It's Julian's birthday tonight. Do you want to bring Brynlee and come join the fun?" he asked casually.

"No, I promised Brynlee I'd take her to an arts and crafts class," Kaia rejected him flat out.

"Alright."

Finnian hung up the phone. Between him and Kaia, there was always this mundane, old-married-couple vibe.

No matter how complex the issue, they could easily boil it down to a simple yes or no.

As evening arrived, the penthouse banquet hall at The Azure Spire came to life.

The venue was famous for its stunning panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. This was where Julian Kendrick's birthday party was in full swing.

Outside the glass, the city's neon lights glittered; inside, the room was filled with designer gowns, tailored suits, and clinking glasses, like a scene straight out of a dream.

A few other men gathered around to chat. Finnian and Noelle weren't overtly affectionate, but to outsiders, the natural chemistry between them created an invisible bubble that no one else could easily penetrate.

After mingling for a bit, Noelle drifted over to her circle of close girlfriends, chatting about fashion and gossip.

Finnian, meanwhile, was surrounded by several young entrepreneurs and investors, deep in conversation.

Watching the scene unfold, some of the gossipy socialites couldn't help but whisper among themselves about how Noelle had managed to secure her foothold in the Sanders family despite being a widow.

"Did you see that? Mr. Sanders treats her like royalty... brings her everywhere."

"I heard Aethelstan is entirely under her control now. Wow, Mr. Sanders is really going all out for her."

"I heard a long time ago that the bond between those three is unbreakable. That Kaia woman might have been married into the family for years, but aside from giving him a daughter, she hasn't made a single wave..."

In the crowd, a man in an iron-gray suit was chatting with someone, but the women's gossip drifted perfectly into his ears.

Miles Kendrick tightened his grip on his wine glass, his eyes sweeping coldly over the gossiping women behind him.