Chapter 728:
Frieda patted Frank’s back gently, speaking in a motherly tone. “Brad must be buried in work. There will be time for the two of you to talk soon.”
After the meal, the group gathered around for cups of fragrant imported coffee. The calm atmosphere was broken when a guest gasped in surprise at his phone.
Everyone turned to look at him.
“What’s wrong?” Frieda asked with a polite smile. “Does the coffee not suit you?”
He quickly shook his head. “No, the coffee’s perfect. It’s just… Brad’s Facebook account was updated.”
Frieda stiffened slightly, then her voice cooled. “Is that so? He can’t take my calls or attend Frank’s birthday, but he has time to post online?”
The guest spoke before he could think better of it, reading the post aloud. “He wrote, ‘Thank you for celebrating my birthday.’ Clearly, he is celebrating his birthday with someone else. Mrs. Morgan, today is Brad’s birthday as well. You held this party only for Frank and”
“You didn’t even consider Brad’s feelings. You even invited him to his younger brother’s party — it must have felt unfair to him. Maybe he thinks you’re deliberately humiliating him.”
The smiles of the women around the table slowly faded. Their whispers came sharp and fast, cutting through the pleasant air.
“It’s a good thing Mr. Brad Morgan stayed away,” one murmured. “If he’d shown up, it would have crushed his pride. How could Frieda treat her eldest son like an outsider, singing birthday songs only for the younger one?”
Another leaned closer, her tone dripping with scorn. “She made such a show of coming back, saying it was for Brad’s sake. But in truth, she just returned to grab a piece of the pie after failing abroad.”
“Tsk.” A third woman clicked her tongue. “It’s shameless and sad. She already owes her eldest son a debt, and instead of making things right, she openly favors the younger.”
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Each word struck Frieda like a slap. Her fingers trembled as she snatched up her phone, her face paling. The glow of Frank’s birthday celebration vanished in an instant.
“Today is Brad’s birthday too?” Her voice cracked.
Sean had been away for several days at meetings with senior government officials, so no one had thought to remind her. Inviting Brad to his younger brother’s birthday dinner was bound to sting.
Her body sank into the chair, her hands trembling as unease clouded her eyes. “I just forgot. He didn’t tell me.”
A sharp voice came from the table. “He’s your firstborn. How can a mother forget her own child’s birthday?”
One lady pushed her chair back, unable to stomach the scene any longer. “I have business to attend to. I’ll take my leave now,” she said, rising to go.
The rest followed quickly, murmuring excuses as they gathered their children and slipped away.
Frank hadn’t expected such a disaster, but deep down, he knew the fault lay with his mother. Any defense would only make them appear weaker in the eyes of the others.
When the room had emptied, Frieda pressed her lips together to hold back tears. “I… I truly didn’t know today was Brad’s birthday as well. I want to treat both of you fairly. I want to make up for the love he never had.”
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