Chapter 118: The Birthday Toast

Matthias led Mindy back toward their table.

Once they were seated, he glanced across the pavilion toward the far side of the ballroom, where Aaron was still moving easily among the guests, smiling as though he belonged in every circle he entered.

"That Aaron Knight doesn’t seem like a simple guy."

Mindy picked up her glass and took a small sip. "I wouldn’t know. I’ve barely met him."

"You don’t find him suspicious?"

Mindy shrugged lightly. "I don’t know him well enough to judge him."

Matthias studied her for a moment, then gave a faint nod.

"Fair enough."

He said nothing more after that, but his gaze lingered on Aaron for a few seconds longer.

Before he could say anything else, a clear clink echoed through the pavilion.

The room gradually quieted.

Conversations faded. Glasses were set down. One by one, the guests turned toward the center of the hall.

Layton stood there with a champagne flute in hand.

His posture was composed, his expression calm, but there was a rare warmth in his eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

The entire pavilion fell silent.

"Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate my grandfather’s birthday."

His gaze moved toward Matthew Knight.

"Seventy-five years ago, my grandfather began his journey."

A faint smile touched Layton’s lips.

"He built Knight Corporation from the ground up."

"He started with almost nothing and turned it into what it is today."

Several businessmen around the room nodded respectfully.

Layton continued, his voice steady and measured.

"And even at seventy-five, he still stands as strong as ever."

He looked directly at Matthew.

"Like a mountain."

Matthew’s expression softened.

Layton’s voice lowered.

"To me, he isn’t just the man who founded Knight Corporation."

"He is my inspiration."

"My guardian."

"And most importantly..."

He paused.

"My grandfather."

Matthew’s eyes immediately grew wet.

Beside him, Hannah lowered her gaze, silently trying to hide the emotion rising in her own eyes.

Layton continued.

"Everything I have become today is partly because of the lessons you taught me."

"Your discipline."

"Your strength."

"And your belief that no matter how difficult life becomes, we never abandon the people who depend on us."

Matthew’s fingers tightened slightly around his cane.

Layton slowly lifted his glass.

"So tonight, Grandpa..."

"I hope you live a long and healthy life."

"I hope I get many more years to stand beside you."

"And I hope that one day, I can become even half the man you are."

He raised his glass a little higher.

"Happy birthday."

The pavilion erupted into applause.

Matthew blinked away the moisture gathering in his eyes, but it was no use. His expression had already softened completely.

Hannah smiled through her tears.

Even several of the older businessmen looked genuinely moved.

Sonia stood with her chin lifted proudly, satisfaction clear in her expression as she watched her son.

Matthew slowly rose to his feet.

He looked at Layton for several long seconds before finally smiling.

"You’ve grown into a good man."

Layton lowered his gaze slightly.

"Because you taught me how."

The applause grew louder.

At the edge of the crowd, Aaron watched in silence.

His expression was different from everyone else’s.

There was no warmth in his eyes.

Only something cool and closed off.

His fingers tightened around the stem of his glass.

Dad was right.

His gaze remained on Matthew.

We were never really part of this family.

For a moment, the bitterness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Then it disappeared.

The easy smile returned.

No one noticed.

Except Lucian.

Lucian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He had seen that look before.

He didn’t say anything. Instead, he turned his attention briefly toward William, who was still smiling and fully absorbed in the celebration.

Lucian remained silent.

There were things about the Knight family outsiders would never understand.

And Aaron Knight was one of them.

Layton turned toward the staff.

"Now," he said, "let’s bring out the birthday cake for the birthday boy."

The lights dimmed a little.

Soft music began to play.

Two waiters carefully wheeled out an enormous five-tier cake decorated in elegant white and gold.

Matthew stared at it for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"Five tiers?"

Hannah smiled. "You only turn seventy-five once."

William, standing nearby, gave a hearty chuckle.

"Don’t worry, Matthew. At your age, you’ll need all five tiers just to keep up with your birthday."

Matthew glared at him. "You’re older than me."

William laughed louder.

The atmosphere instantly lightened.

Soon everyone gathered around as Matthew stepped up to the cake.

Hannah stood beside him.

Matthew took the knife, and with Hannah’s hand resting over his, they cut the first slice together.

Applause broke out once again.

Matthew took a small piece and offered it to Hannah first.

She smiled and accepted it.

Then he turned toward Layton.

Layton smiled and took the second bite.

More applause filled the pavilion.

For a brief moment, the Knight family looked almost perfect.

A powerful patriarch.

A devoted wife.

A successful grandson.

A family surrounded by wealth, influence, and admiration.

But appearances were rarely the truth.

Mindy watched quietly from her table.

Her gaze rested on Matthew.

Despite everything that had happened between her and Layton, she genuinely respected the old man. He had always treated her kindly.

She couldn’t help smiling.

Across the pavilion, three men stood together for a brief moment.

Lucian.

Sebastian.

And Draven.

They had known each other since college. They had grown up together, competed against each other, fought alongside each other, and learned one another’s strengths and weaknesses.

They knew things about one another that no one else did.

And among them, Layton had always been the coldest.

Not because he had been born that way.

But because childhood had taught him too early that trust could be dangerous.

Lucian glanced toward Layton.

He remembered the boy Layton had once been—a boy who had learned far too early that affection could vanish, and loyalty could turn into betrayal.

Sebastian knew it too.

Draven understood it better than most.

None of them judged him for it.

They simply understood.

Tonight, however, Lucian’s attention kept drifting back to Aaron.

Something about the younger Knight bothered him.

He had seen the expression on Aaron’s face when Layton delivered his speech. It had been there only for a moment, hidden beneath the younger man’s usual charm, but Lucian had noticed it.

A cold, calculating look.

And everyone’s unease was not based on mere prejudice. Everyone who knew Aaron had seen what he was capable of when he wanted something. Beneath his easy smile and playful manner was a ruthlessness that had never been far from the surface.

Layton and his friends had witnessed it years ago, during their college days.

One winter, Layton, Lucian, Sebastian, and Draven had gone on a hunting trip. It had been meant to be a private escape, just the four of them spending a few days away from family expectations and city life. They had deliberately avoided telling anyone where they were going.

For once, there were no phones ringing, and no family interference.

That night, they sat beneath a sky scattered with stars, gathered around a roaring bonfire while meat roasted over the flames. The cold air carried the scent of smoke and pine, and for a while, the four of them managed to forget everything beyond the forest.

Then Aaron arrived.

He appeared with three friends, two young men and a girl. One of the boys looked ordinary and timid, remaining several steps behind the others with his shoulders hunched and his gaze lowered. The girl, on the other hand, stayed close to Aaron, laughing at everything he said and clinging to him as though they were inseparable.

Aaron walked toward Layton with his familiar, careless smile.

"Brother, I knew I’d find you here. Grandma just told me you’d gone on a hunting trip, so I decided to come along. I brought some friends."

Layton stiffened.

Even at that age, he already knew what Aaron was like. He had always kept a careful distance from his cousin, never allowing himself to become too close.

Still, he forced himself to be polite. He gave Aaron a brief side hug before introducing him to Lucian, Sebastian, and Draven.

For a while, the atmosphere remained light. Aaron entertained everyone with exaggerated stories, making the girl laugh loudly beside him. He seemed completely at ease, as though the forest belonged to him.

Then, without warning, the girl suggested they play truth or dare.

Layton and Lucian immediately refused.

"That’s childish," Lucian said.

"I’m not playing," Layton added.

Aaron leaned back with a grin. "Come on, Brother. Have some fun once in a while."

Despite their reluctance, the group eventually formed a circle around the fire. The game began harmlessly enough, with laughter and teasing passing between them.

When Aaron’s turn came, the girl gave him a dare.

"Break up with your girlfriend."

Aaron did not even hesitate.

He simply smiled, took out his phone, and ended the relationship with a single message.

Then it was Layton’s turn.

"Truth," he chose.

Aaron chuckled. "Brother, you should choose dare at least once. You’re always so serious."

Layton gave him a cold look.

Aaron sighed dramatically, then rested his elbows on his knees.

"Fine. What happened between you and your father?"

The laughter died instantly.

Layton stiffened.

For several seconds, no one moved or spoke. Everyone knew his father was a sensitive subject. After his father’s death, Layton had withdrawn into himself, becoming quieter and more guarded. Even within the family, people avoided mentioning him unless absolutely necessary.

Aaron knew that.

That was what made the question so cruel.

Draven’s expression darkened.

"That’s enough," he said sharply. "I’m bored of this game. It’s childish."

Aaron only smiled.

His eyes remained fixed on Layton.

Layton stared back at him, his face expressionless and his hands clenched loosely at his sides.

No one spoke.

The silence stretched between them until one of Aaron’s friends finally cleared his throat. He was a broad, muscular man who had barely spoken since arriving.

"Why don’t we play something else?" he suggested. "We could take our gear and go hunting. There are eight of us, so we can split into two groups. The first team to return wins. The team that brings back the larger animal wins as well."

Aaron turned to him.

Then he smiled.

"I like it."

His gaze shifted back to Layton.

"Brother, you’re not going to chicken out, are you?"

Layton’s eyes hardened.

"We’ll play."

The group divided into two teams. Layton went with Lucian, Sebastian, and Draven, while Aaron left with his three friends.

They disappeared into the forest, carrying their weapons and hunting gear.

By dawn, Layton and his group had returned to the campsite. They had managed to bring down a wild boar, but all four of them looked exhausted and covered in dirt. Their clothes were damp from the cold and their faces were drawn from the night’s hunt.

Aaron and his friends were nowhere in sight.

They waited.

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

Sebastian glanced toward the dark line of trees.

"Should we go looking for them?"

Before Layton could answer, movement stirred among the trees.

Aaron finally emerged with his group.

The muscular boy was carrying their timid young friend in his arms. The boy appeared unconscious. His clothes were torn, his skin was marked with scratches and bruises, and his face was so pale that he looked barely alive.

Aaron and the girl walked beside him, laughing as though nothing unusual had happened.

Layton, Lucian, Sebastian, and Draven stared in shock.

"What happened?" Layton demanded.

The girl smiled carelessly.

"Nothing. He’s always like this. We were hunting, and we lost him for a while."

Aaron gave a dismissive shrug.

"Don’t worry about him."

Layton ignored him.

He rushed to the injured boy’s side and checked for a pulse. It was weak but present.

Within minutes, he had contacted the forest guards and arranged for the boy to be taken to the lodge. A doctor was called immediately.

The physician’s expression changed the moment he examined the boy.

His condition was far worse than they had initially realized.

Aaron and the other two friends showed no interest in staying. They left as though the injured boy had nothing to do with them.

Layton remained behind.

Later, after treating the boy, the doctor pulled him aside.

"He was forced to run," the doctor said grimly. "Possibly chased through the forest. His injuries are consistent with someone who was fleeing or being driven from place to place."

Layton’s gaze shifted toward the direction Aaron had disappeared.

The doctor continued quietly, "If he had been left out there much longer, he might not have survived."

Layton said nothing.

He did not need an explanation.

He had already seen the smile on Aaron’s face.

He had already seen how little the boy’s suffering had mattered to him.

That was the first time Layton understood that Aaron Knight’s charm was not a sign of harmlessness.

It was a mask.

Present

Lucian watched Aaron from across the room.

What he felt was not admiration.

Nor was it jealousy.

It was resentment.

Deep, quiet, and carefully buried beneath years of forced composure.

What exactly are you planning, Aaron?

Across the room, Aaron suddenly caught his gaze.

For one brief second, their eyes met.

Aaron smiled.

Lucian did not.

Then Aaron turned away as if nothing had happened.

The birthday celebration continued.

The music swelled.

Champagne kept flowing.

Laughter rose and fell beneath the crystal chandeliers.

Everyone smiled.

Everyone played their part.

But beneath the celebration, beneath the polished speeches and glowing lights, the Knight family was already standing at the edge of another storm.

And this time, the first crack had already appeared.