Sweet Subterfuge

Sitting at the main head table were the three Rogers brothers and their sons. The women and grandchildren were arranged to sit at the next head table close by.

The moment Kevan got closer, Anthony stood up and waved at him, “Kevan, here!”

The gazes of everyone else at the table only fell on him then.

There was an empty seat next to Anthony, which had clearly been left for Kevan.

Kevan did not take his seat at once but went over to Bemard to give him the prepared gill. “Happy birthday. Uncle Bernard.” Kevan smiled faintly, his voice hac a rare trace of gentleness when faced with all these people he was always good with pulling superficial

performances, even during the years in which the relationship of his side and theirs was at its most strained. He never did anything that could allow anyone to hold leverage over him when it came to public and social settings.

memory, he was colder to his family and friends. So, his attitude today surprised Bernard

as he usually did. Instead, he laughed joyfully as he hugged the exquisite wooden box, and his crow’s feet deepened when he felt

to Bemard’s desires. Bernard drank like his fe depended on it, but he was very unbearable once he got drunk. Therefore, he’d embarrassed himself multiple times

was quite loud, and the high volume easily cul through the

on

smiling and turned to look at Maria, raising an

said that he can’t drink!” Maria glared at Kevan angrily. hatred burning in her garr

he had big ambitions, he could not make any huge waves. Because of thal, Kevan never sent anyone

I was unaware.” Although Kevan was unhappy with Maria’s rudeness, he did not show it. He apologized politely before discussing it with them, “I will pick a different gift for Uncle Bernard another day. As for this bottle

at once. “Let me lake it home as a decoration! It’s not that bad

Bernard was naturally reluctant to part with it. It was true that he had all kinds of health issues, and the doctor did instruct him to not drink too much-but this was “not too much. Having an occasional cup or two was fine. He glanced at his wile over at the other table and grumbled to himself internally. “This st upid bi