Mrs. Marsh's Revealed Identities novel (Jennifer and Ivan)
Chapter 171 Like A Clown

Her gazes swept around the crowds. With a single glimpse, she saw Ivan's tall and slender figure. He held the hands of Alfie and Dianna, making her envious. Ivan was indeed a good father. Unfortunately, she wasn't his children's mother.

The sunset glory gradually vanished from the sky. The night fell. The lights made the castle bright. In the decorated yard, all the LED bents sparkled colorfully.

The waiters and waitresses served cocktails and snacks. Along with the melodious music, the guests at the banquet were chatting and laughing.

It was a beautiful night.

After the coming-of-age ceremony ended, Catherine was still not called to promote the ring. She stood motionlessly while watching the guests leave. The news she heard in the afternoon seemed like a dream. The night was deep. Many guests had already gone.

She watched the cars leave the castle one after another.

Catherine felt embarrassed, frowning. Her gaze swept around to look for someone.

Finally, she held the skirt of her dress and walked forward.

Near the swimming pool, she saw two maids tidying up the tables, who had brought her the good news in the afternoon.

"Evening, Ms. Collins," a maid greeted her. With a smile, she asked, "Why didn't you go dancing?" In the yard nearby, several youngsters were dancing along to the music.

"You told me Mr. Edison would ask Mr. Marsh and me to promote the ring. When is it? The guests have gone home," she asked politely, though feeling anxious inside.

The maids widened their eyes in surprise. Then they exchanged a glance.

One answered apologetically, "Sorry, but we forgot to inform you. Mr. Marsh had refused this proposal, so that was canceled."

"Refused?" Catherine's heart sank. She couldn't believe what she had heard. "How could he refuse Mr. Edison's request?"

"He didn't refuse the endorsement. He rejected to promote the ring with you," the maid answered bluntly. Then she realized that she shouldn't have said so. However, her words could explain everything. An awkward silence blanketed the three women.

"Sorry, Ms. Collins. We need to go back to work." The maids left with the goblets and dishes.

The night breeze seemed to bring Catherine back to her senses abruptly. The only ray of her hope vanished from her heart.

"Diana, when you are 10, I'll hold a birthday party for you. It'll be grander than the ceremony tonight."

Catherine dragged her heavy legs, overhearing Ivan's magnetic voice that sounded familiar to her. She looked in his direction, watching him squatting on the lawn. He gently pressed the little girl's shoulders, staring at her affectionately.

Before Diana replied, Alfie approached them. "Daddy, why won't I have a party?"

Ivan looked at him. "This is a party for our little princess. A girl should have many dreamy moments in her childhood memories, as that will give her confidence in her life. After you grow up, Diana will choose a different path. And you, Alfie, you'll be the future heir of the Marsh Group. And you'll be having celebration parties for success instead of birthday banquets."

Alfie giggled and understood. He didn't think his father was biased at all.

"After I grow up, I'll marry a man like Daddy," Diana said from the bottom of her heart. "Can I?"

"No." Ivan told her solemnly. "You should become someone more excellent than Daddy."

Catherine listened to their conversation. Each word seemed to be stabbed into her heart like a dagger.

Her heart was filled with pain. Since she was 11, she had been in love with Ivan, who was her dream lover throughout her youth. However, he had been drifting away from her. Kelsington Bay, Arkpool City.

Jennifer walked out of the research lab and returned to her bedroom. She checked on herself in the mirror. There was a bruise at the corner of her mouth. Her cheek was swollen. She opened the concealer. She planned to return to Sunshine Village to get some herbs, so she could develop the medicine for Ivan to cure his stomach trouble. The herbs couldn't be found in ordinary pharmacies. She couldn't let Edward see the bruise on her cheek or make him worry.

One of her molars was loosened because of Aubree's slap, which caused excruciating pain in her mouth. A toothache was indeed torturous.

After going downstairs, Jennifer said to Pippa, "I'm not asking you for permission, nor am I a jailbird. If she asks where I am, tell her that I'm out." With those words, Jennifer walked out of the living room. Watching her back, Pippa gaped. Mrs. Marsh was a pushover. She was feisty just now.