Chapter 15

As the night descended, expensive cars pulled up at the entrance of a brightly lit hotel. It was the night of Stephen's 80th birthday celebration, and the Middleton family had thrown a party at the hotel for friends and family to celebrate with him. Before the party started, Stephen's eldest son, Eric Middleton, stood at the entrance with his wife and daughter to welcome the guests. Most of the guests had already arrived, but the Middletons remained at the entrance—someone important had yet to come. "Dad, Mr. Quill is here!" Jennifer tugged on Eric's sleeve. Eric had been speaking to the hotel's manager about some of the party's details. He hurried out of the lobby to welcome Joseph when he saw the latter get out of the car. His wife, Keira Smith, followed him. Her attention was on the woman with Joseph, though. She wore a cream-colored gown that pinched in at the waist, showing off her curves. She looked like she was in her early 20s, and she was beautiful—like a flower in full b