"Is Hudson here yet?" she asked every ten minutes.
"Madam, Master Lucian and his family haven't arrived yet. It's only nine o'clock," Jasper Vale replied with a helpless smile.
"Then hurry them up. Tell them to come early so the guests can see the baby as soon as they arrive."
"Yes, of course. I'll call them right now."
At half-past nine, Lucian's car pulled into the manor's driveway.
Seraphina wore light, elegant makeup today. Her hair was elegantly swept up to reveal her slender neck, and her champagne dress shimmered softly in the sunlight.
Little Bean was bundled up in a soft white blanket, held securely in Seraphina's arms, with only his flawlessly chubby little face peeking out.
The moment Eleanor saw them, she hurried over, her eyes completely locked onto the baby.
"Oh my goodness, my precious great-grandson!" Eleanor's voice pitched up several octaves. "Let Great-Grandma look at you! Oh, you've grown again, and you're getting handsomer by the day!"
Little Bean stared at Eleanor with big, bright eyes, his little mouth breaking into a wide, toothless grin.
Eleanor's heart melted on the spot.
"Look, look! He's smiling at me! This child recognizes me!"
Seraphina and Lucian exchanged a glance and smiled.
Of course Little Bean recognized her. He might be tiny, but his mind was sharp as a tack.
"Quick, quick, let's go inside. It's breezy out here, we don't want the baby to catch a chill," Eleanor said, ushering them toward the house.
"I have the room all ready. It's the south-facing one on the second floor with the best sunlight. Once the guests start pouring in, Hudson can rest up there so it won't be too noisy."
Seraphina followed Eleanor upstairs. The room had indeed been meticulously prepared. A crib, a changing table, and a bottle warmer were all set up perfectly. It was far more thoughtful than she had anticipated.
"You've gone to so much trouble for us, Grandma Eleanor," Seraphina said genuinely.
"What trouble? He's my great-grandson. It's only right," Eleanor replied, her eyes brimming with affection as she looked at Little Bean.
"You all rest up here for now. I'll send someone up to get you once more guests arrive."
Seraphina pressed her lips together. "Are you worried..."
"I'm not worried," Lucian interrupted gently.
"I just don't want you to exhaust yourself dealing with unnecessary socializing."
She had only just finished her postpartum recovery, and he didn't want her overtiring herself.
Seraphina nodded, not pressing the issue.
She knew that among the five hundred guests today, some were genuinely there to celebrate, some were there for the spectacle, and others were just sniffing for gossip and leverage.
The people in their social circle might look completely harmonious on the surface, but behind closed doors, everyone had their own hidden agenda.
"Alright. I'll head down first. Call me if you need anything."
Lucian instructed her carefully, fiercely protective of her not becoming a subject of idle chatter among the elite.
His wife and child only needed to focus on being happy.

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