It was Cedric's birthday banquet.
Eulalia and Sylvaine were both there, standing on the balcony of the banquet hall, holding a glass of wine each, watching the handsome men and beautiful women in the hall.
Sylvaine, in a suit and short hair, had a soft yet striking style.
Eulalia wore a light blue evening gown. Recently, she had been going on blind dates and running every day to shed a few pounds. She weighed 120 pounds now, and her curves were perfectly placed where they should be. Not to mention, when she slipped into the little dress, she looked every bit the charming, slightly plump beauty.
"So what?" Sylvaine asked, "See anyone you like?"
Eulalia rarely attended such extravagant high-society parties. The guests were all prominent figures with influence and status. If it weren't for her acquaintance with Catriona, she would have never found herself in a place like this in her lifetime.
Hearing Sylvaine's question, she replied sincerely, "Oh, there's plenty I like, but the problem is no one likes me."
The banquet hall was lavishly decorated, dazzling lights and clinking glasses everywhere, with handsome men and beautiful women—it was like a scene from her comics, except she wasn't the main character.
"Look over there—yeah, that long-haired guy just walked by. So handsome!!"
"And the guy behind him, with the spiked hair and muscles, such a sharp and rebellious look... They're all so tall and handsome."
Sylvaine took a sip of her drink. "They're probably friends of Roderick's. Looks like they're talking now."
When Catriona came out of the bathroom and headed toward the banquet hall, the cub beside Madam Nightblade immediately left his grandma and ran over to grab his mom's hand.
"Mommy!"
Catriona smiled. "You just can't stay away from Mom for a minute, huh?" Holding his hand, she looked up to see the long-haired man in a suit, Silas, and the spiky-haired Rowan behind him.
Catriona wasn't close with Roderick's friends and hadn't spoken to them much. She still remembered their first meeting at that Villa. Though they hadn't shown any overt displeasure toward her, she had sensed it. Back then, Roderick's friends seemed to feel the same way about her as he did—not very fondly.
Of course, she didn't expect everyone to like her—she wasn't cash, after all. But back then, she had definitely felt unwelcome.
Later, when Roderick inexplicably fell for her, these friends seemed to warm up to her a bit, too.
Catriona was absent.
They weren't worth her concern—she didn't know them well, and they were just peripheral figures to her.
She stayed silent.
Silas nodded to her gently, then bent down, looking at Cedric. "Cub, happy birthday. May you grow up healthy and happy."
Cedric blinked his big eyes, pressing his lips together. "Oh, thank you."
Rowan pulled Silas aside roughly, grumbling, "Out of the way. Let me see the cub too!"
He stood in front of the mother and son.
Catriona kept a neutral expression, staying silent. Rowan looked a bit awkward, scratching his head before nodding to her. Then he crouched down and held out his hand. "Cub, a hug from me?"
But Cedric frowned, staring at him for a moment before blurting out, "I don't want you to hold me! I don't like you."
This man...wasn't he the one Dad had taken him to meet for a meal before?
All the other people had spoken to his mom, but this one hadn't, and he exuded a grumpy vibe. Cedric didn't know much, but he didn't like people who ignored his mom.
Please—anyone should be honored to talk to his beautiful mom!
"Mommy, let's go!" Cedric frowned, his little face tense, as he pulled Catriona along. "Godmoms are over there."
Catriona didn't object, letting her son lead her away.
Normally, if this were someone else, she'd teach her son to be polite. But right now, all she wanted to say was: "Well done, my child!"
She was just that kind of person—on the surface, she smiled with calm composure, but in her heart, she was keeping track.
Rowan stood frozen in place, stunned.
"Huh? Did I do something to make the little cub dislike me?"
Roderick snorted upon seeing this and, with long strides, leisurely walked over.
"Wait a minute," Rowan looked at Roderick, "You didn't badmouth me in front of the cub, did you?"
Roderick's sharp tongue responded, "You think too highly of yourself."
The unspoken meaning was clear—he wouldn't even mention such friends in front of the cub.
Silas also chimed in, "Rowan, the cub isn't familiar with you, isn't it normal?"
Rowan shot back, "Nonsense! The cub's attitude toward you and me is completely different! This is the first time a werewolf cub has disliked me!"
Rowan was a single werewolf who often played with the cubs when he had time, showing off his muscles, jumping, and climbing. He'd lost himself in the praise from the cubs, becoming an idol in their eyes!
His emotions were very outward, his joy simple and childish.
It was one thing if other cubs disliked him, but a friend's cub disliking him? He took it seriously. "I'll find a way to spend more time with your cub."
——
On the balcony.
Cedric exclaimed, "Godmom Eulalia, you look so beautiful today!"
He held Eulalia's hand like a little gentleman, bowing slightly and tapping his forehead against her hand.
It was obvious he had learned this today.
His actions made all the adults smile.
"Godmom Sylvaine, you're so cool today!" he said, shaking Sylvaine's hand.
Sylvaine laughed. "Sweetheart, you have a mature charm today."
Eulalia covered her face exaggeratedly. "Sweetheart, you look so handsome today."
Cedric lifted his chin, his little lips curling up proudly.
