Seeing that the atmosphere had become awkward, Cody and Edmund immediately came to smooth things over. One pulled on Bernard while the other went to persuade Maria.

"Dad, Mom is only doing this for your own good! Please don't be angry!"

"Forget it, Mom. It's Dad's 60th birthday today. Just show him a bit of respect and not cause a scene here, please? There are people watching!"

No one bothered to apologize to Kevan—of course, he never expected them to either. In the confusion, he silently wen