Chapter 6: The Banquet and the Senator

4

I forced myself to calm down and left the Owen house, sending people to search for Maddie.

Before leaving, I saw a girl in pink hurrying over, calling to Owen, "Honey, why did Aubrey leave? Doesn’t she want to see me..."

I had no interest in her. Compared to her, Owen was even more negligent as a father. The urgent matter was to find my child.

The news I received brought me some relief. Maddie was indeed out playing with several other girls.

I was about to relax, but the person who investigated hesitated to speak.

"Just say it," I urged.

The attendant replied, "Ma’am, except for your daughter, the other girls were all dressed in designer clothes—not like those from ordinary families. One was even the mayor’s daughter. They seemed to have deliberately invited Maddie to play..."

I understood the implication. Though Maddie was the legitimate daughter of the Owen family, with a mother like me—divorced—she shouldn’t be treated this way.

In a town like this, pedigree was everything. The other moms would take one look at my thrift store purse and give me that little smile that didn’t reach their eyes.

As I pondered, I saw the invitation I had received recently: the Governor’s banquet, where all the prominent women would attend. The Governor’s wife must know my current status, yet she sent me an invitation. So, I decided to go.

I put on my best dress—plain navy, but clean—and straightened my shoulders. If I couldn’t fight for Maddie in private, I’d do it in public. That is why I am standing here now, listening to a group of people gossiping.

When I arrived, Lila and Owen were already present—a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match.

The moment he saw me, Owen’s face darkened. I ignored him and sent someone to look for Maddie.

From the moment I appeared, the gossip never stopped.

"She was divorced—how does she have the nerve to show up here?"

"Isn’t she just trying to find some fool willing to marry her? Who would want her?"

"How did she even get in? Did she use the Owen family’s name?"

Contemptuous glances came from all around. Women swirled their wine, men checked their watches, everyone hoping I’d vanish like a bad memory.

Lila looked at me and said, "Aubrey, why are you here?" She looked a bit embarrassed, and said with difficulty:

"You didn’t even look at Maddie before leaving, and now you come rushing here to show your face—eager to find a good husband... Today’s banquet is especially for the Senator who just returned from medical leave in Savannah. It’s not a place for you."

Hearing this, my heart tightened and I grew anxious. My nervousness only made Lila more pleased. She smiled and said, "Aubrey, you should go back. I’ll keep an eye out for a good husband for you. Maybe if you’d spent less time chasing invitations, Maddie wouldn’t feel so lost."

As soon as she finished, many people laughed.

Owen’s lips curled, voice dripping with disdain. "She was divorced—what man would want to marry her?"

So, he did know the difference between divorce and mutual separation.

Just then, a man in a sharp black suit with gold cufflinks appeared before everyone. He had a striking presence, his dark hair perfectly styled, his gaze commanding the room.

He was the legendary Senator, the man who held the power in this city.

The laughter in the hall stopped abruptly.

But he seemed to notice something, and suddenly smiled—a slow, captivating smile.

Everyone was stunned. When had the Senator, known for his tough ways, ever shown such an expression?

No one noticed how stiff my hands and feet had become. I watched as he strode directly toward me—

The whole room held its breath. For the first time in years, I felt every eye on me—and not a single one looked away.