Old Mr. Gardiner snapped to attention, his face beaming with delight: "Oh, is that so? Pretty good, pretty good. Actually, there's no need to come down so quickly."
Luke Gardiner endured the pain, his expression somewhat stiff, as he grabbed the hand hidden within his suit jacket: "Didn't you want me to call her down for the opening dance? Now you're saying there's no rush. Should we hurry back to business?" He turned around with Florence Fuller, taking the opportunity to reveal the hand.
His waist was still faintly aching, and Luke Gardiner gritted his teeth; she had really hit hard!
Florence Fuller smiled with patience, suddenly shaking off Luke Gardiner's hand, smiling as she looked at Old Mr. Gardiner: "Grandpa, your birthday celebration shouldn't be delayed."
Old Mr. Gardiner nodded: "This girl ran back right after getting off the plane. Didn't even have a proper rest; it's all because of this kid, Luke."
"How is it my fault again?" Luke Gardiner pressed his sore waist: "She's the one who didn't want to be a wealthy wife; the Gardiner Family hasn't deprived her of anything."
"Brother Luke." A charming voice suddenly rang out from behind.
Eleanor Sussex emerged from the other side of Luke Gardiner, clutching his arm: "Where did you just go? I couldn't find you anywhere."
After speaking, she looked at Old Mr. Gardiner and sweetly called: "Grandpa."
Luke Gardiner pulled his arm away, and Old Mr. Gardiner glanced at Eleanor Sussex: "Didn't you see your sister-in-law?"
Eleanor Sussex then looked at Florence Fuller: "Hello, sister-in-law."
Florence Fuller gave her a small smile but did not respond.
"Alright, alright, it's about time." Old Mr. Gardiner nudged Luke Gardiner: "Take Florence and perform the opening dance."
Luke Gardiner looked at Florence Fuller with a dim gaze, extending his hand: "If you please, Mrs. Gardiner."
Florence Fuller silently put her hand in his, and the two stepped toward the dance floor.
The melodious and twisting music began, and as they danced for the first time, Luke Gardiner could clearly sense the woman seemed a bit unhappy.
"What are you unhappy about?"
Florence Fuller glanced at him: "Just focus on dancing."
"Is dancing with me such a grievance?"
"Do you want me to step on your foot?"
Luke Gardiner's face turned cold, and at the last moment, he suddenly pulled Florence Fuller into his embrace. Surrounding applause erupted, and he whispered into Florence Fuller's ear: "If you had stepped on me again, I would've kissed you right here."
Florence Fuller pushed against him with force, yet the man held her firmly and led her off the dance floor.
From the tray held by a servant, he picked up a glass of juice and handed it to her. Without a glance, Florence Fuller took a glass of red wine from the table instead and took a small sip.
The two stood in silence for a while. Christopher Somerset approached and politely greeted them: "Luke, sister-in-law."
Florence Fuller smiled faintly: "President Somerset."
Luke Gardiner noticed her face blossoming with a gentle smile and scoffed internally; her smile seemed reserved for others.
"Sister-in-law, I need to discuss something with Luke."
Florence Fuller nodded gently: "Go ahead."
She was so straightforward, yet Luke Gardiner hadn't even agreed.
He glanced at Florence Fuller, but she didn't return his gaze. She lifted her wine glass to take another sip, a hand reached over and intercepted it out of nowhere. She looked over, and Luke Gardiner downed the wine he had snatched, his gaze dark as he looked at her: "Drink less, Mrs. Gardiner."
He placed the empty wine glass on the table and turned away with Christopher Somerset.
Florence Fuller acted as if she hadn't heard it, turning away and picking up another glass of sparkling wine, sipping it slowly.
Quite a few around were curious about her, as she seldom appeared in public.
Standing by herself for hardly two minutes, scattered people began circling around in curiosity, pretending it was unintentional.
The Gardiner Family in SJ City was the pinnacle of existence; even if her marriage was tragic, she was still the rightful Mrs. Gardiner. Everyone wanted to make an impression in front of her, to get acquainted.
Florence Fuller courteously responded to these women of society, exchanging a few words. Grace Linney approached with Eleanor Sussex, dispersing these people: "Florence, come with me. I'll introduce you to some people."
Florence Fuller placed down the sparkling champagne in her hand: "Coming, Mom."
She gave the women around her an apologetic smile: "I'll invite you all for afternoon tea sometime."
She followed alongside Grace Linney, walking a bit farther before Grace Linney lowered her voice, her tone displeased: "Not just anyone can associate with our Gardiner Family. Don't go befriending useless people."
Eleanor Sussex clung to Grace Linney's arm, casting a sidelong glance at Florence Fuller, and snorted lightly.
With a tinge of mockery.
"So, according to your standards, Mom, none of the people here are up to your mark." Florence Fuller said.
Grace Linney turned, her eyes stern: "Are you talking back to me?"
"It's not like this is the first time I'm talking back to you." Florence Fuller met her gaze directly: "Or are you planning to educate me in front of everyone here about not associating with these useless people?"
Grace Linney had never been satisfied with her daughter-in-law, hoping she'd be an easy target to manipulate.
Yet, Florence Fuller turned out to be superficially soft yet internally strong.
Grace Linney held a stern face, silently leading them out of the banquet hall.
Once outside, with no one around, Eleanor Sussex spoke up: "Florence Fuller, how can you talk to Auntie like that?"
"Do you have the right to talk to me like that?" Florence Fuller's gaze sharpened, making Eleanor Sussex shrink back, hiding behind Grace Linney.
Grace Linney frowned: "Your current status is also thanks to the Gardiner Family; without it, you wouldn't even qualify to attend Old Mr. Gardiner's birthday banquet."
"Was your status not given by the Gardiner Family?" Florence Fuller coldly chuckled expressionlessly, glancing at Eleanor Sussex: "And hers wasn't?"
Eleanor Sussex secretly gritted her teeth, staring at Florence Fuller with a sullen gaze.
"Sharp-tongued, how did Old Mr. Gardiner end up choosing someone like you?" Grace Linney momentarily dropped her dignified posture, her eyes full of dissatisfaction with Florence Fuller.
Florence Fuller merely sized up Eleanor Sussex and shook her head: "Then I guess Eleanor Sussex doesn't even count as a person. Back in Cloudsea City, I could satisfy Grandpa, but he can't even bear to look at the one who grew up under his nose."
Of course, she understood what Grace Linney was dissatisfied about. Grace Linney had intentions of marrying her long-accompanied charge, Eleanor Sussex, to her son, but unexpectedly, Florence Fuller had interrupted those plans.
Back when she first married into the Gardiner Family, Grace Linney never liked her, often finding fault. She endured it a few times before stopping. Who doesn't know how to show color? Moreover, she never intended to live a lifetime with Luke Gardiner, so why tolerate a difficult mother-in-law?
"Florence Fuller!" Grace Linney, unable to win the argument, retorted: "This is your upbringing, of course, being raised outside means that the Fuller Family can't teach you back."
Florence Fuller blinked, and Grace Linney thought she had hit her sore spot, but the latter instead smiled: "Mom, are you questioning Grandpa's judgment?"