When only Jasmine Faulkner and Faye Sterling came forward, the crowd didn't pay much mind. But then Aiden Faulkner joined them. She was the hostess—if she was personally going out to greet someone, who could it be? The crowd, their attention now captured by Aiden, was eager to see who was arriving so late and alone to the birthday party. And then they saw Justin Hale walk in!
Most of the guests were around the same age as Aiden Faulkner. Many of them had seen the Hale Family's heir before, and even those who hadn't interacted with him personally had heard his name. One could say they had always lived under the glow of Justin Hale's prestige. Many people had attended this birthday party hoping for a chance to see Justin, or to forge a connection with the Hale Family.
