Chapter 13 Face of a Model
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this month, Lenoraenjoyed an effortlesslife of pure comfort.
To improve her health, Ceciliaspecially hireda famous doctor to check her pulse and prescribe nourishing remedies.
With all the herbsand tonics, Lenora even gained 3 kilos. Her face became rounder, and her entire demeanor grew even more composed and elegant.
One evening at dinner, Sethannounced some news.
“Next Saturday will bethe group’sfourthcentennial celebration. Friends, family, and business partners will all be attending. I plan to announce at the event that Lenora has been found.”
The Finley Group had been established for 400 years, based on the hard work offour generations.
Every centennial celebration was a grand affair and countless companies from both home and abroad fought to get an invitation.
The fact that Sethwould announce Lenora’s identity at such an important. event showed how much he valued and loved his granddaughter.
Jerimiahsmiled and nodded approvingly. “Dad, announcing Liliana’s return on such a meaningful day is a wonderful idea.”
“Exactly!” Rodneychimed in, his face full of flattery.
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“Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Jerimiah and Rodney.”
Hearing his father and brothers‘ support for his daughter, Xanderwast overjoyed. He quickly stood up and raised his glass in a toast to them.
The others alsojoined the toast.
Everyone lookedcheerfulat the dinner, except for Bianca. She looked jealous.
After the meal ended, Bianca stormed into Rodney’s bedroomand startedcomplaining angrily, “Dad, Liliana is going to steal the shares that rightfully belong to me! How can you bless her like that?”
“What are you talking about, Bianca?”
Startled, Rodneyhurriedly jumped out of bed, ran to the door, and, after making sure no one was outside, carefully closed it.
“Don’t say things like that again…”
“You’re just a coward!”
A harsh insult struck Rodney.
The voice came from a woman lying on the bed, wearing a light purple silk nightgown and a facial mask.
It was Bianca’s mother, Livia Hammond.
Livia’s father owned a small business in Fizzoria, placing her in the
middle class.
Eager to climb the social ladder, Livia had seduced Rodney. She had gotten pregnant first and only then married him.
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After the marriage, Livia discovered that Rodney wasn’t Seth’s biological son and was not as favored as theothertwo.
Although the fortune Rodney received was beyond the reach of ordinary people, Livia remained dissatisfied. Sheconstantly beratedhim and urgedhim to fight his brothersfor the inheritance.
Rodney, however, cherished Seth’s kindness in raising him and refused to betray him. As a result, Livia’s attitude toward him grew colder, and even their daughter no longer respected him.
Livia ripped off her facial mask angrily and glared, “Rodney Finley, not only are you useless, but you’re also holding back my daughter!
“Do you have any idea how much the dividends from that 6% share are worth each year? Why should we hand it over to that country bumpkin?”
Like mother, like daughter.
Both Livia and Bianca considered Lenora a rustic outsider and looked
down on her.
“That’s right!” Bianca added indignantly, seizing the opportunity. “Dad, the other day in the garden, Lenora mocked you for not being Grandpa’s biological son, and mocked me for not being his biological.
granddaughter!
“If she gets that 6% share, there will be no place left for us in this family!”
Bianca grew more pitiful as she spoke, her eyes welling up as if she had suffered unbearable injustice.
She totally forgot that she had provoked Lenora first.
“Did she really say that?” Rodney’s eyes flickered.
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The fact that he wasn’t Seth’s biological son had always been a sore spot
in his heart.
Even if no one mentioned it, he could feel that people looked at him differently.
Seeing his hesitation, Bianca and Livia exchanged a quick glance
and went on.
“Of course!” Bianca said earnestly. “Dad, don’t forgetthat we’re the only branch without a male heir. If we don’t fight now, it’ll be too late!”
Rodney hedged.
He understood what his daughterwas saying, but the debt of gratitude weighed heavily on him. In the end, he sighed.
“Forget it. Liliana suffered a lot out there. Just let it be and don’t cause
trouble for her.”
Hearing this, Biancafroze. She gave Rodney a fierce glare and slammed the door on her way out.
Depending on her father was hopeless. She could only rely on herself
now.
“Coward!” Livia shouted, kicking Rodney and forcefully throwing the facial mask into the trash.
The next day…
To ensure Lenora would shine at the company’s annual gala, Ceciliaspecially invited a renowned designer to custom–make a gown for
her.
“Anthony, this is my daughter,” Ceciliaintroduced Lenorato the designer.
capter 13 Face of a the
with pride.
Anthony Morgan was the epitome of a typical Fizzorian man.
He was tall and broad–shouldered, with thick hair, and striking blue eyes.
He wore a pink suit. In the place ofa tie, he hada red silk scarf loosely knotted at the collar.
His red trousers were paired with polished yellow leather shoes that gleamed spotless under the light.
From head to toe, he displayed an impeccable sense of style and a strong personality. And clearly, he was gay.
Anthony immediately spotted Lenora sitting on the sofa, reading.
Her features were exquisitely sculpted as if crafted by the careful hands of an artist. Shecarrieda faint air of cool melancholy.
She had a high–bridged nose, and full pink lips, and wore a flowing white
lace dress.
The exposed skin of her arms and neck looked fair.
The book she held was a biography written by the president of Herman University. Sitting quietly in the elegantly luxurious living room, she looked like a perfect oil painting. She was so beautiful that one could hardly bear to disturbher.
“Oh my goodness!”
Anthony raised his pinky in admiration and exclaimed, “This is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen! Cecilia, has your daughter ever considered becoming a model?”
“Don’t joke about that,” Cecilia said quickly, turning him down.
She was genuinely afraid Anthony might somehow coax her daughter into the fashion world.
“My daughter has just been accepted by Herman University. She won’t be pursuing a modeling career.”
As she said this, Ceciliacouldn’t hardly hide her pride.
Herman University was the most prestigious university in Fizzoria and ranked among the top five universities in the world.
Back when Lenora had been applying to college, her outstanding academic performance had earned her a recommendation from her professor to become an exchange student at Herman University.
However, she declined the opportunity in order to stay and help Zavier start his business.
It thus became aregret in her heart.
Upon learning that her biological parents were Fizzorian, Lenora. immediately started preparing her application for Herman University.
She planned to continue her studies while staying close to her family.
Thanks to her impressive credentials, she successfully received an offer three days ago.
“That’s a pity.” Anthony said, visibly disappointed.
Ittruly felt like a terrible wasteof such an angelic face.
