REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 37: MOTHER-IN-LAW

8:45 PM

The Whitlock’s arrived at the grand entrance of the Quinn’s estate. Everyone was present, including William who walked by Ava’s side.

As Ava had expected, the party wasn’t overcrowded. The Quinns valued their privacy too much for that. This was the reason for her initial shock at her family’s invitation. But right now, she perfectly understood why they’d invited them. She was no longer in the dark.

Scanning the room, Ava picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She took a slow sip. So far, this was the only thing she truly appreciated about the evening. While the rest of her family members interacted with some guests, Ava busied herself with the drink.

She also tried not to let her gaze wander too much. It was the Quinns’ party, after all. She knew avoiding them completely felt impossible, but she was going to do her best.

Ava sighed softly. She’d never had any regrets since she was reborn until now. She never would’ve attended this party. She had just resolved to keep her distance when a cheerful voice shattered her plans.

"Ava!"

Startled, Ava turned to see Evelyn approaching her with open arms. Before she could react, Evelyn pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her tightly out of too much excitement.

When Evelyn finally stepped back, her face was lit with genuine happiness. She held Ava’s hands with a bright smile. "I’ve missed you so much, my dear," Evelyn said sincerely.

Ava blinked. Not knowing how to respond, she forced a polite smile. "It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Quinn."

Evelyn waved off the formal address with a laugh. "How many times must I tell you? Call me Evelyn. Or better yet, call me Mum if it feels right."

The word ’mum’ struck a nerve, but Ava managed to keep her face normal. "Of course... Evelyn."

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled. "That’s better." Her eyes finally strolled down Ava’s body. She was a little disappointed when she noticed Ava wasn’t wearing any of the clothes she bought her. Still, she pushed the thought aside with a smile.

Meanwhile, across the room, Sasha’s eyes moved around the party as her family socialized. Since she walked into the party, she’d been searching for the Quinns, and even if she had no idea of who they were or what they looked like, she’d hoped to see people whose appearance screamed ’the Quinns.’ But when her eyes landed on Evelyn, her face changed immediately.

What was she doing here? Evelyn was the last person she wanted to see here. Who would have thought that she’d see the woman who embarrassed them at the mall at the Quinn’s party?

She leaned into Matilda’s ears and whispered softly. "Mother, look at Ava."

Matilda blinked, confused, but she followed her daughter’s glare across the room to where Ava stood, talking to a woman Matilda didn’t recognize at first. But then recognition struck her like lightning.

Her eyes narrowed. "What the hell?" she muttered under her breath, feeling extremely angry. Without a second thought, Matilda broke away from the group of guests she’d been chatting with and stormed toward Ava and Evelyn. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Evelyn rose a brow, taking in the angry woman in front of her. "Who are you?" She asked distastefully, wondering who had the guts to question her at her party.

"You know exactly who I am," Matilda snapped. "The mall. The embarrassment. Does that jog your memory?"

"Ah, the unpleasant lady from the boutique," Evelyn said lazily when she recognized the face.

"Who are you calling unpleasant?!" Sasha asked. By this time, the rest of her family had walked to where Matilda and Ava stood, as they wondered who had the nerve to attack Matilda.

"If there’s anyone that’s unpleasant here, it’s you. Why are you even here?" Sasha pressed, glaring at Evelyn. "I thought this was the Quinns’ party, not a gathering for uninvited nobodies."

Ava stood awkwardly between them, and her eyes darted to the guests who were beginning to stare at them. She felt embarrassed.

"Who’s she?" Gaulin asked Sasha, feeling confused about what was going on.

"Do you remember how mum and I told you that Ava embarrassed us in front of a stranger at the mall?" Sasha paused, but continued again as Gaulin nodded. "Yeah, well... She’s the stranger."

Gaulin’s jaw ticked. "What is she doing here?"

Evelyn chuckled softly at the question. She had to give it to them. This family was funny and stupid at the same time. "I don’t need an invitation to be here, my dear. But trust me, I have far more rights to be here than any of you."

Before anyone could say another word, a deep voice came from behind.

"Mother."

Heads turned in unison to see Maximus approaching with his usual calm expression. His piercing eyes swept over the scene, lingering briefly on each person. When his eyes landed on Ava, they softened, but just for a moment.

Ava’s family stared at him speechlessly. They all had the same question: Evelyn was his mother?

Evelyn stepped aside slightly, giving Maximus space as he joined her. "Maximus," she greeted warmly.

"What’s going on here?" he asked.

Matilda was the first to recover from the shock. She squared her shoulders and let out a bitter laugh. "Ah... So she’s your mother?"

Maximus raised an eye brow at her tone. He clearly wasn’t pleased.

Matilda didn’t stop. "I should’ve known," she added with a sneer as her eyes darted between Evelyn and Maximus.

Sasha was speechless as well, but as she stared at Ava, it all made sense. "So that’s it," Sasha muttered. Turning to Ava, she glared at her resentfully. "The only reason you were at the mall with this woman is because she’s your mother-in-law, isn’t she? It all makes sense now. You’ve been hiding this from us the whole time!"

Ava turned to Sasha. "No, you’ve just been too stupid to figure it out."