Perfect CEO

After her announcement, Nicolette placed Gwendolyn's present in her bag and stuck her tongue out at Felicia.

Everyone at the table burst into laughter and started teasing Nicolette.

“Look at her. She's still acting like a kid!”

Nicolette had planned to sing karaoke after dinner, but Francine forbade her from doing so, citing Michael's wrath.

Everyone walked out of the restaurant after dinner.

Nicolette hooked her arm through the crook of Gwendolyn's elbow. She was in a great mood as she chatted to Gwendolyn.

Behind them, Felicia walked with her parents. She was satisfied with how things had turned out at dinner, pleased that she was finally the star of the Ashton family after all this time.

Felicia was already playing the role of Mrs. Lowen. Everyone here has to worship me, or Patrick will crush them if I so much as cough in displeasure.

Candace, on the other side, asked Zachary pretentiously, “Darling, Gwen has appeared before the Ashton family members. Why don't we welcome her home? I shudder to think what our relatives might say if we don't.”

She was shrewd enough to maintain her kind stepmother act.

Zachary merely scoffed and spat, “She's not an Ashton anymore. What's the use of bringing her home? She may not feel embarrassed, but I'm humiliated that she's bringing three illegitimate children home.”

Hearing that, Felicia smiled and mollified, “Don't be angry, Dad. You still have me. I'm seeing Patrick now. After we're married, I'll convince him to help Ashton Corporation.”

Her words brought a smile to Zachary's face.

He replied, “Thank goodness we still have a sensible daughter!”

Everyone stopped at the restaurant door. Francine asked Gwendolyn, “Did you drive, Gwen? If not, I'll ask our chauffeur to send you home. We can carpool with someone else.”

After all, Gwendolyn had kindly dropped by for her daughter's birthday, and Francine had heard from Candace that her niece was having a hard time. Gwendolyn purportedly lived in a decrepit lane in the Old District. The area reeked of garbage. It was dirty and full of stray dogs.

Francine recalled Gwendolyn's sheltered life, which was a far cry from her current predicament. Though Gwendolyn had lost her mother at a young age, Michael loved her dearly and spoiled his future heiress.

The patriarch had given Gwendolyn the best that money could buy, and he expected everyone else in the family to indulge her every wish.

Look at her life now. It's a tragedy.

Tugging on Gwendolyn's hand, Nicolette urged, “Let our chauffeur send you home, Gwen.”

Gwendolyn checked her phone and said, “It's okay. I called an Uber. It'll be here soon.”

“It's so late. An Uber can't be safe at this time,” Felicia piped up. “I'll send you home!”