Chapter 173

Those pale, chapped lips and the slight tension in Walter's brow said it all.

Family dramas had always been unpredictable, especially with the Gordons owning the South and the Fosters controlling the North. These two clans essentially ran everything. As long as Walter and Evangeline remained married, nothing was ever certain. Upsetting one of them could easily have meant offending both.

The crowd was full of sharp cookies, and when they heard Walter's question, they were quick to butter him up.

"No way, Mr. Walter Gordon, you're too kind. Everything is of the highest quality! It's just your granddad-in-law—he's a bit miffed that his favorite granddaughter's hubby was a no-show at her birthday. Better go smooth things over."

The guy talking put on a friendly act and scooted closer to Walter, spilling the beans about what was going on.

Once he said that, the whole vibe of the place did a 180—from stuffy to buzzing with excitement. Everyone was cracking up, eager to see how Walter wo