CHAPTER 353: CHAPTER 353: BIRTHDAY PARTY

After a while, Audrey Sutton ran out of the house wearing a light purple one-piece swimsuit, still clutching the swimming ring tightly in her hands.

Shane Warner stood inside the pool, holding her hand to guide her into the water.

Perhaps because the water wasn’t deep and she had the swimming ring on, she didn’t show much anxiety, though she moved a bit cautiously.

The pool water, having been warmed by the sun during the day, still retained some warmth.

Audrey grabbed onto Shane’s hand and followed his arm into the pool.

With this water level and the swimming ring, Audrey felt comfortable.

In such hot weather, it indeed felt nice to be in the water.

Once Shane saw she was acclimated, he directly pulled the swimming ring, dragging her toward the center of the pool.

Audrey panicked and reached out to grab the railing at the edge, but it was too late.

Though the water wasn’t deep, due to the buoyancy, keeping her feet firmly on the pool bottom was challenging.

Audrey flailed her arms and legs in a panic, splashing water everywhere.

Shane squinted slightly as he dragged her to the pool’s center, let go, and then swam to the edge by himself, watching Audrey holding onto the swimming ring, not daring to move, "Swim over by yourself."

Audrey frowned, thinking he did it on purpose to tease her, and grumbled, "What are you doing?"

Shane, also unyielding, just watched as she awkwardly swam towards him, taking ages to reach. She complained, "Annoying! You know I’m scared yet you still tease me!"

"But didn’t you swim over by yourself?"

Pouting, Audrey turned her back to him, clutching the swimming ring.

Once she adapted to being in the water, she dared to swim around with the ring but still clung to it at that water level, as it gave her a sense of security.

Shane didn’t rush; he first wanted her to not be averse to the water before teaching her. If he had her put her head in the water now, she’d probably think he secretly bought her insurance.

Though the weather was hot, the water was cool, so he didn’t let her play in the water for too long before calling her out.

She had fun swimming with the ring, then took a hot shower inside before quietly sitting next to him to draw.

These peaceful days made Shane feel really happy.

Wednesday was Audrey Sutton’s twenty-first birthday.

The party was held at The Suttons, she had no classes in the afternoon, and Shane also cleared his schedule to accompany her home after lunch.

She only invited some friends and Faye Xavier among them.

Samuel Sutton helped set up a barbecue grill in the yard, Hazel Yates and the servants busied themselves in the kitchen preparing barbecue ingredients and some snacks, Shane Warner stood on a ladder decorating the backdrop for the birthday party, while Audrey held the ladder, directing him where to hang the decorations.

It was the little princess’s birthday, so all her brothers came home early today.

Norman Sutton and his shameless friends came over to crash Audrey’s birthday party.

Seraphina Vaughn had a class in the afternoon, so Flora Lane and Barry Barrett waited for her to finish, and Flora’s boyfriend drove them over.

Flora hadn’t planned to bring her boyfriend, but since he knew she had plans, he insisted on driving them.

When they reached the doorstep, she didn’t think it was right to send him back, so Audrey let him stay.

As for Phoebe King, the moment Stephen Sutton entered the house, she followed right behind. It wasn’t clear if they met on the way or if she was already with Stephen.

Vanessa Sterling only dared to mention attending Audrey’s birthday after seeing Miles Sterling’s mood was steady.

Miles agreed and even drove Vanessa himself, but didn’t stay. When he dropped Vanessa off, a glamorous woman was sitting in the front passenger seat of his car, hinting he had plans already, and drove off right after.

Franklin Sutton returned after work with Laura Yates, but they seemed to have had a falling out; Laura appeared a bit aloof to him, choosing to sit with the other girls after arriving. Franklin tried asking her what fruit she wanted, but she was indifferent, and Audrey guessed she was annoyed at her brother for his cluelessness again.

No marriage news between them yet, and Audrey worried they’d delay until Franklin ended up single again.

Audrey delegated the barbecue task to Shane, assisting him on the side.

Claiming to help, she was merely passing him what she wanted to be grilled.

She then placed the ready-to-serve food on plates and brought it to the long table for everyone to enjoy.

The attendees were close friends, mostly of the same age, and Norman Sutton’s friends were amusing and lively, though they ate a lot, clearing a plate of grilled meat in minutes.

Faye Xavier and the others arrived after clocking out, around six.

Flora’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Morgan Quinn with his arm around Faye Xavier, heading towards the barbecue, thinking it was a stroke of fate.

She reminded herself of their previous encounter and how he never seemed to hold a grudge, calming down as she continued playing cards.

Lucian Quinn’s arrival was delayed a bit as he parked his car in the courtyard, making him the last one to enter.

Encountering Hazel Yates inside, he greeted her politely, and she warmly led him to the afternoon garden, asking him to help carry a fruit platter she’d just prepared.

Holding the fruit platter, Lucian walked into the afternoon garden, spotting Flora sitting with others at the long table playing cards, and his gaze lingered on the man beside her before he walked over.

He placed the platter on the vacant spot on the table and stood behind Flora, watching them play cards.

Barry Barrett inadvertently glanced up at Lucian Quinn, admiring the handsome guy.

Flora followed his gaze to look behind her, and upon recognizing the familiar face, she gave Lucian a stiff smile.

Lucian returned the smile and casually said, "Didn’t expect to run into you here."

Flora awkwardly laughed, "... It’s quite the coincidence."

Lucian nodded toward the man beside Flora, directly asking, "Your boyfriend?"

Flora instinctively nodded, "Yes."

Only after nodding did she realize it was none of his business, why was he asking so much?

Recalling Audrey’s claim of his capriciousness, she wondered if the womanizer was interested in stealing someone else’s girlfriend?

Mentally chiding herself for her wild thoughts, Flora dismissed them.