Sabrina remained oblivious to the coolness threading through Veronica's voice. Relief washed over her features as she processed Veronica's words.
Phillip stepped forward, presenting his carefully selected gift to Mary. Veronica approached next, carrying her own offerings.
She extended the first present toward Mary with practiced grace. "Grandmother commissioned Cullen to have this embroidery piece specially prepared for you."
Mary accepted the artwork, her weathered fingers carefully unfolding the delicate fabric. She studied the intricate stitching for several moments, her eyes brightening with genuine appreciation. "How thoughtful of her to remember my preferences."
Veronica then produced the emerald jewelry collection, its pieces gleaming against the velvet interior. "Cullen selected this for you personally."
The craftsmanship was undeniably exquisite, each stone perfectly cut and set. Mary's eyes lingered on the jewelry with evident admiration.
Yet the moment she registered its origin, her expression shifted. She snapped the box closed with decisive finality, setting it aside without ceremony. "Beautiful workmanship. Please convey my gratitude to him."
She made no inquiry about Cullen's potential attendance at her celebration.
The question simply held no interest for her, nor did she desire an answer.
Veronica recognized Mary's persistent coolness toward Cullen. In previous years, she would have immediately launched into Cullen's defense, listing his virtues and good intentions.
Now, however, she remained silent on the matter. Instead, she retrieved her personal gift and offered it to Mary with both hands.
As Veronica had anticipated, among all the presents Mary received that morning, she treasured Veronica's scholar's writing set above all others.
Mary cradled the elegant pieces in her palms, examining each component with the reverence of a true connoisseur. Without delay, she hurried to the study, eager to test the implements by composing a piece of calligraphy.
With the gift-giving ceremony complete, the family gathered around the breakfast table.
The meal unfolded with genuine warmth and frequent laughter. Mary's face glowed with contentment, her pleasure radiating throughout the room.
Still, Veronica caught fleeting moments when shadows crossed Mary's features—brief flashes of solitude that she couldn't quite mask.
Veronica, Phillip, and the other family members understood the weight of this gathering. Today represented more than just a birthday celebration.
On such a significant occasion, one crucial absence loomed over them all.
The realization caused Veronica to lower her gaze, moisture gathering in her eyes despite her efforts to remain composed.
To preserve the festive atmosphere, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning Rose's name.
As the morning progressed toward noon, guests who maintained closer relationships with the Murray family began arriving at the residence.
The evening's main celebration would take place at their reserved hotel venue, where the formal birthday party would truly begin.
While Veronica moved among the early arrivals, offering greetings and refreshments, Phillip's son Thomas noticed Sabrina sitting alone, her expression distant and preoccupied. He approached her with gentle concern, stroking her cheek tenderly. "What's troubling you, Sa? You seem miles away from here."
Veronica immediately understood that Sabrina was thinking of Niall.
True to her word to Cullen, Sabrina had remained at the Murray residence without attempting to slip away unnoticed.
However, her thoughts clearly wandered elsewhere.
Throughout the day, Sabrina had sent multiple text messages to Niall in rapid succession. Niall appeared equally occupied, as her responses came infrequently and briefly.
The afternoon brought their transition to the hotel venue. By six o'clock, the invited guests began filtering through the entrance.
Phillip positioned himself near the door, accepting gifts and escorting visitors to their designated tables. One guest hesitated after presenting his offering, shifting uncomfortably. "My apologies, Mr. Murray. I have another engagement this evening. I'll just take a quick drink and then need to depart."
Phillip and Veronica exchanged understanding glances, choosing not to pressure the guest to remain longer.
Initially, they dismissed this as an isolated incident.
Within thirty minutes, however, a pattern emerged. Multiple business associates delivered their presents before making swift exits. Several others had delegated their secretaries to attend in their place, sending gifts without appearing personally.
The current trajectory suggested that most of the carefully reserved tables would sit empty throughout the evening.
The sight proved disheartening, particularly given the extensive preparation that had gone into creating this elaborate birthday celebration.
Mary would undoubtedly feel hurt upon discovering the sparse attendance.
Phillip could accept individual guests leaving early due to personal circumstances.
The mounting evidence of mass departure, however, left him visibly frustrated.
Observing the consistent pattern of guests rushing toward another event, Phillip approached Michael Westwood, with whom he maintained a particularly strong business relationship. "Michael, I notice many of our friends have mentioned time constraints tonight, all citing another banquet. Would you mind sharing which event you're attending next?"
The guests who declined to stay or departed immediately after gift presentation—were they all heading to the same gathering as Michael?
Such a coincidence seemed highly improbable without deliberate coordination.
"I'm expected at the Mack Residence," Michael answered. After a brief pause, he elaborated, "It's the family home of Mr. Dennis's girlfriend's grandmother. They recently relocated to Mariana from out of town. They purchased their new house not long ago, and today marks their housewarming celebration."
The explanation struck Veronica and Phillip like physical blows, their faces darkening with comprehension.
They had assumed that resolving the villa dispute would provide them with temporary peace from external conflicts.
Never had they imagined the Mack would orchestrate such a calculated maneuver.
Neither Veronica nor Phillip believed this timing represented mere coincidence.
Mary and Niall's maternal grandmother had maintained their friendship for decades, celebrating countless birthdays together throughout the years.
How could the Mack possibly forget that today was Mary's special day?
No, they remembered perfectly.
They had deliberately scheduled their housewarming party for today precisely because they knew it was Mary's birthday.
Michael remained unaware of the complex grievances entangling the Murray, Mack, and Crystal.
Still, he could recognize Phillip's distress at seeing the meticulously planned celebration reduced to empty tables and absent friends.
He lowered his voice apologetically. "Truly, Phillip, I had no alternative. The Mack enjoy Mr. Dennis's backing, and they extended personal invitations. While we have no prior relationship with the Mack family, who would dare refuse Mr. Dennis's interests? I genuinely had no choice in this matter."
Attending the Mack housewarming only briefly or declining to participate in their meal would signal obvious disrespect.
Furthermore, widespread rumors suggested Cullen intended to marry Niall in the near future.
Offending the Mack would therefore constitute an insult to both Niall and Cullen simultaneously.
Angering Cullen represented a risk no sensible businessperson could afford to take.