Chapter 12

“Jasmine, keep an eye on her so she doesn’t get into trouble. The Wiltspoon Hotel is owned by one of the wealthiest families in the area. Their heirs might be attending tonight,” Rachel said, her tone serious.

She leaned closer to her niece and whispered, “Jasmine, it would truly be a blessing for our family if you could capture the heart of one of those heirs. They tend to maintain a low profile and hold strong family values. There’s rarely any power struggle among them. Most importantly, the men from that family are decent and don’t have mistresses.”

Rachel added, “My daughter isn’t old enough to marry yet; otherwise, I would have reserved that opportunity for her.” It was clear that Rachel shared a deeper bond with her daughter than with her niece, but her daughter was only seventeen and not of legal age for marriage.

Jasmine shook her head, responding, “Aunt Rachel, I would never dream of climbing the social ladder by marrying into Wiltspoon’s richest family.” Her motivation for being there was simply the food.

Serenity stood beside them, quietly listening without interrupting. She was content to play a supporting role for now, her focus solely on the food, as she had heard that the chefs at Wiltspoon Hotel were exceptional.

“What’s the last name of the richest family?” Jasmine asked, her curiosity piqued.

Even though Jasmine wasn’t typically one to daydream, she couldn’t resist the urge to inquire further.

“The Yorks,” Rachel replied.

“York? How interesting!” Jasmine nudged her best friend, noting that Serenity’s new husband shared the same last name.

Serenity understood the implication but simply smiled without responding. Although her husband, Zachary, bore the surname York, he had no connection to the wealthy family beyond that. It wasn’t uncommon for people to share the same name, after all.

Rachel continued, “The York family may be quite wealthy, but they’re not snobbish. They will welcome whoever their sons choose as long as the woman has good character. The Yorks are genuinely kind people.”

being part of high society. “Open-minded,” Rachel had always said.

Rachel didn’t hesitate to encourage her niece to pursue a connection with the Yorks. After all, Jasmine was attractive and kind-hearted. Although her family, the Soxes, wasn’t the wealthiest, they were certainly better off than many others.

Jasmine’s carefree attitude often made Rachel want to give her a little nudge. Eventually, Rachel sighed and said, “You two should head inside. I just spotted a friend and need to say hello.”

“Aunt Rachel, we’ll go in then,” Jasmine replied quickly, eager to escape Rachel’s well-meaning but persistent advice. It was clear that Aunt Rachel was just like her mother, which explained why they got along so well—they were truly two peas in a pod.

It was Serenity’s first visit to the Wiltspoon Hotel, while Jasmine had been there on a few occasions. Leading her best friend, Jasmine swiftly grabbed two plates of food and found a cozy corner to settle in.

“We don’t know any of these ladies. They won’t even notice us if we walk up to introduce ourselves. So, let’s just enjoy the food, Seren. We’re here to soak in the atmosphere and see what a high-society party is all about,” Jasmine declared.

Serenity smiled back, “Mrs. Sox is going to be furious if she discovers you’re only here for the food.”

However, Serenity shared the same sentiment.

With a carefree laugh, Jasmine responded, “Look at me! Who am I to catch the attention of any eligible bachelors? My aunt must be dreaming if she thinks any heirs would be interested in me.”

“Do I look like Miss Universe or Miss World to you? The heirs would never think I’m a prize. Only my aunt thinks that. So, let’s not waste time. Come on, let’s dig in. The Wiltspoon Hotel is famous for its gourmet food. I’ve been to the hotel restaurant before, but the prices were always too steep for me to try anything. Tonight, I can finally indulge!”

“Thanks to you, I get to enjoy the food as well,” Serenity added, just as eager to savor the culinary delights. Like Jasmine, she was perfectly content to experience this evening without the pressure of fitting in with the elite.

The entire situation was unfolding. Serenity, despite being married, found herself in the midst of it all. She and her best friend, Jasmine, were tucked away in a cozy corner, savoring a delicious feast.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned toward the hotel’s entrance. The two friends, still indulging in their meal, sensed that something significant was about to happen.

“Jasmine, why did everyone stop talking? They’re all looking at the door. Who’s coming in?” Serenity nudged her friend, curiosity evident in her voice.

“I have no idea,” Jasmine replied, standing up to get a better view. Serenity followed her lead, both of them rising on their tiptoes in an attempt to see past the throng of guests blocking their line of sight. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and they could feel the excitement building.

The event was orchestrated by a key player in the business world, a close friend of the York family. Naturally, Zachary, the head of the York family, was expected to make an appearance at his family’s hotel where the party was being held.

After attending to some pressing matters, Zachary finally made his entrance. His tall stature and striking looks commanded attention, even as his tense expression and somewhat aloof demeanor set him apart.

“Mr. York!” voices called out in unison.

As he navigated through the crowd, Zachary was met with respectful greetings from attendees, particularly from the high-ranking CEOs who approached him directly. He responded with a courteous nod, acknowledging their hellos with poised grace.