Chapter 28

Henry Smith’s birthday bash was over-the-top. Anyone asking around would hear that the Carter family had rented an entire cruise ship just to celebrate it on the sea. Grandma had the invitation. By 7 PM, we boarded the ship without any issue. The cruise was five stories tall, super flashy. The whole party setup screamed luxury — like they were desperately trying to save face after that mess with the canceled wedding. Everything spelled out one word: money. Grandma wasn’t used to such big scenes; the moment she saw that crowd, her legs went all rubbery. She barely got on the ship before feeling nauseous and rushed to the bathroom to throw up. I waited for over ten minutes and still no sign of her. Everyone else had already gone inside the main hall, and I was the only one left outside, sticking out like a sore thumb. Afraid the Carter family might spot me and kick me out, I decided to head in by myself and wait for Grandma inside. Just as I passed the doors of the banquet hall, the room