Chapter 677 - 674: A Sudden Disturbance (3)

Chapter 677: Chapter 674: A Sudden Disturbance (3)

Although Yvette Zimmerman was unhappy about being publicly shut down by Seth, she could only swallow her displeasure.

"You’re right, you’re right, Seth. My apologies, that was a slip of the tongue. Yes, you’re married now. I should be calling her Mrs. Quinn, not Miss Grant."

"But, Seth, even though you and Autumn are no longer together, you can still be friends. Besides, you’ve known each other since childhood. A bond of over twenty years isn’t as fragile as one that’s only a few months old.

And the Quinn and Shelby families have been close for many years, so isn’t it a bit too formal for you to call me Mrs. Shelby? I still prefer it when you call me Auntie."

Seeing her agreeable attitude, Seth didn’t press the issue. His expression softened slightly, but he didn’t start calling her Auntie. He just gave a faint smile and gestured for them to proceed.

Yvette Zimmerman and Evan Shelby exchanged a look. Both were annoyed by Seth’s refusal to even feign politeness, but they were helpless.

In the end, they could only nod with stiff smiles and head inside.

Autumn Shelby, however, lagged a step behind. She glanced at Seth, then turned to Clara and said with a radiant smile:

"You two look so deeply in love. For a moment when I walked in, even I, someone who knows the real story, almost thought this was your wedding reception, not Uncle Quinn’s birthday banquet. People who don’t know any better are even more likely to be mistaken, don’t you think?"

The words might have sounded like a joke about how close the couple was, but a moment’s thought revealed the truth: Autumn Shelby was accusing Seth and Clara of stealing the spotlight from the guest of honor, Old Master Quinn.

Her primary target, of course, was her romantic rival, Clara Grant.

Clara wasn’t a fool; she understood the implication perfectly.

The surrounding guests drew in a collective breath. If Clara decided to go toe-to-toe with her, they were about to witness a dramatic showdown between the ex and the current wife.

And so, all eyes turned in unison to Clara.

Seth’s lips parted, ready to defend his wife again, but Clara discreetly tugged on his arm. She gave him a reassuring look before turning her gaze back to Autumn Shelby.

The smile on her face remained poised and elegant, but her eyes held a commanding presence. "You’re the first one to think so, Miss Shelby.

But since that’s the case, when Seth and I hold our official wedding reception, we’ll be sure to make a grand announcement across all major media outlets. That should clear up today’s ’misunderstanding.’"

As she spoke, the smile on Clara’s face deepened. "You will honor us with your presence at our wedding then, won’t you, Miss Shelby?"

Clara had delivered her lines with perfect composure, and they were incredibly deft.

The first sentence pointed out that no one else would misunderstand, only Autumn Shelby. The implication was clear: ’You must be a fool!’

The next few sentences were designed to calmly infuriate her: ’No matter how jealous you are, Autumn Shelby, and no matter how much you can’t stand seeing Clara Grant and Seth Quinn all over each other, I’m his wife—the woman who gets to have a grand, public wedding with him for all the world to see!’

’And you? You only get to attend as a guest!’

Autumn Shelby clearly understood the meaning behind her words, but Clara’s comeback was so flawless that she had no opening to retaliate.

If she continued to bicker with Clara, she would truly make everyone around them think she was a fool.

Autumn Shelby secretly gritted her teeth and forced down the rage in her heart. The hand gripping her gown gradually relaxed.

’Hmph, Clara Grant. Seeing as you’re about to give up your position to me soon, I’ll let you be smug for now.’

’The more smug you are now, the harder you’ll cry later!’

At this thought, a meaningful smile touched Autumn Shelby’s lips, and she brushed past Clara’s shoulder as she walked by.