Jamison Group’s celebration party was in full swing. Laughter echoed across the venue as glasses clinked and compliments flew freely.

At the center of the crowd stood Carter Jamison, the man of the hour. Once from a fallen family, he had clawed his way back up. He had rebuilt the crumbling Jamison Group from the ground up and taken it public again. The achievement was enough to earn endless praise.

“Congratulations, Mr. Jamison. You’re truly young and accomplished. I look forward to working with you.”

“Mr. Jamison, not only is your career thriving, but your family life seems just as perfect. My wife always says a good partner at home makes all the difference. You’re a lucky man.”

Of course they were envious. Carter’s wife had taken on the role of stepmother at such a young age and raised his two children as if they were her own. What man wouldn’t admire that?

As soon as his wife was mentioned, Carter, who had been basking in the spotlight, glanced around the room.

Across the crowd, his wife, Rhea Ravelle, stood poised and elegant in a sleek black evening dress.

She was the one who had planned every detail of that night’s party a month in advance. Even in the midst of her busy schedule, she hadn’t once neglected the kids.

Now that the children were growing up strong and his career was finally steady, Carter had to admit that none of it would have happened without Rhea.

Just then, Rhea approached with the twins in tow and gently linked her arm with Carter’s.

Compliments flowed from all directions.

“Mr. and Mrs. Jamison, with their two adorable children, make a truly picture-perfect family.”

“They’re truly blessed!”

Rhea smiled graciously. “You’re all too kind. Thank you for supporting Carter all these years. We hope to—”

Before she could finish speaking, a surprised voice rose from the entrance. “Lauren? You’re Lauren Thayer, right?”

A security guard chimed in, “Mrs. Miller, this woman’s been lurking around all night. Do you know her?”

The voice wasn’t loud, but it cut straight through the chatter, and everyone heard it.

Rhea’s heart skipped a beat the moment she heard the name “Lauren Thayer”.

Before she could react, her arm was suddenly empty.

Carter was already striding toward the door. His expression was tense, with a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

Lauren Thayer? How many Lauren Thayers could there be in this world? And how many would just happen to show up here?

At the entrance, a guard was holding a woman by the arm, demanding, “Who are you? Do you have an invitation?”

“Let go!” The sharp voice came from Carter.

The guests quickly followed.

The name Lauren Thayer was familiar to all of them.

She was Carter’s childhood sweetheart, the woman he was once engaged to. More importantly, she was the birth mother of the two kids Rhea had raised.

“Lauren? Is it really you?” Carter grabbed her arm like he couldn’t believe it.

His tension and concern at that moment didn’t escape Rhea’s eyes, making her chest tighten.

“Carter, I-I just missed the kids so much, so I came to see them. I didn’t mean to intrude… I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…”

In her plain clothes and red-rimmed eyes, Lauren looked at the two children beside Rhea with quiet longing.

Seeing that, Carter felt like something sharp had stabbed him right in the chest.

He remembered Lauren as a bright and fearless person. She was always laughing, nothing like the fragile, pitiful version of her standing in front of him now.

He kept his gaze locked on her like she might disappear again if he blinked. “Where have you been all these years?”

Silence suddenly blanketed the crowd.

“Who’s that woman Mr. Jamison’s holding? Is she his mistress?”

“No, that’s Lauren. She was once the heiress of the Thayer family. When the financial crash hit years ago, it took down both the Jamison and Thayer families. She and Mr. Jamison were engaged, but after giving birth to the twins, she vanished. The wedding never happened.”

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