Monty's voice was gentle, respectful, and cautious. But to the others' ears, it sounded like a thunderbolt on a clear day! Cara and Emmanuel stared in shock. Celine, Cannon, and cousin Ellie were dumbfounded. And Daniel's contemptuous expression froze on his face.
Normally he would flatter Monty to no end; he'd remember every little thing the man said or did. How could he not recognize Monty's voice? Was it really Monty outside? And was he really coming in to toast Cara?
"Come in," Lachlan said calmly.
Compared to everyone else's shock, Lachlan and Miranda seemed much more composed.
The door of the private room opened as Monty walked in with various expensive gifts in one hand and a glass of white wine in the other.
"Mr. Willis, Ms. Lowe, hope I'm not interrupting?" Monty asked while bowing respectfully.
"No," Miranda shook her head while Lachlan waved his hand with an air of superiority.
"Oh good... good..." Monty smiled as he looked around the room before walking towards Cara and Emmanuel.
He noticed Daniel inside but didn't have time for him at this moment.
"Mrs. Lowe, I heard today is your birthday. These gifts are just a small token from me." He handed over the presents then turned towards Emmanuel, "I wish you good health, Mr. Lowe, and all your wishes come true! Cheers!"
In fact, Monty was several years older than Cara, but since she was Lachlan's mother-in-law, he addressed her as Mrs. Lowe out of respect.
Cara and Emmanuel were confused by Monty's behavior at first but quickly raised their glasses for a toast with him.
"Mr. Atkinson, you're too kind! Thank you..." Cara smiled. Her face went from shame due to Lachlan earlier, to surprise now that she received such nice gifts.
Emmanuel drank his glass happily, his face flushed red. At this moment, Celine's family members including Daniel had their mouths wide open without closing them for quite some time.
"Daniel... is this really Mr. Atkinson?" Celine asked with a look of disbelief and skepticism.
But in the next second, Daniel's actions answered all her questions. He quickly snapped out of it and rushed to close the box, hiding the precious stone inside.
"What are you doing, bro? Isn't this gemstone a reward from Mr. Atkinson? Why are you hiding it?" Lachlan suddenly spoke up with a teasing tone.
After finishing his drink, Monty turned around and his gaze fell on the gemstone.
"Mr. Atkinson... hello!" Daniel froze, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Daniel? What are you doing here? And why is this piece of junk here?" Monty asked suspiciously.
Daniel's expression flickered uncertainly as he struggled to find an answer.
"Junk? Isn't this an exquisite gemstone? He gave it to my younger sister as a birthday gift," Celine instinctively spoke up without thinking twice about her words.
As soon as she finished speaking, Daniel's forehead was covered in cold sweat and he glared at Celine helplessly without saying anything else.
Celine's husband pulled her clothes roughly while giving her a stern look.
Why did she have to speak so fast?
Even idiots can see that something was wrong now! Why would she say such things?
At that moment, Monty's face darkened instantly with anger as he walked towards Daniel furiously.
"Mr. Atkinson... listen to me! I..." Daniel stuttered nervously.
Smack!
Before he could finish speaking, Monty slapped him hard across the face.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Daddy the Miracle Medic