Chapter 18 The Annual Celebration
“Randall, it’s only been a short while, and you’ve already grown so impressive. I’d trade twenty years of my life for Edward to be half as good
as you are.”
Cecilia sighed and continued, “Melissa is so lucky to have such a wonderful son.”
Melissa Hudson was Randall’s mother.
She and Cecilia were childhood friends.
“Don’t bring him up.” Xander waved a dismissive hand, then pulled Lenora forward with pride. “We have a wonderful daughter, don’t we?”
He turned to Randall. “Randall, this is my long–lost daughter, Liliana. I’ll be counting on you to look after her.”
Lenora hadn’t expected Cecilia to call her over just to introduce her to Randall. In that instant, she felt a murderous gaze cast on her.
She glanced sideways and saw Bianca glaring daggers at her.
Well then…
Lenora smirked and reached out to Randall. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.” Randall wasn’t stunned by Lenora’s striking beauty like others might be. He simply gave her hand a light shake.
In fact, he pulled back so quickly as if she were some dangerous creature.
Bhai Ajmal Celate an
Clearly, he took Lenora for another woman throwing herself at him.
Lenora didn’t mind at all.
She had no interest in Randall. She only did it to upset Bianca.
Meanwhile, a Lincoln stretch limo slowly pulled up in front of the Vienna
Diner.
The doorman hurried over to open the door.
Someone stepped out. It was Zavier.
He wore a gray suit, his collar slightly open to reveal a chiseled Adam’s apple and the faint contour of his chest. A simple yet stylish camellia brooch was pinned to his right chest.
He glanced over the arriving guests, lips pressed into a firm line, ambition gleaming in his eyes.
“The Finley annual celebration, I’m here!” he talked to himself.
“Mr. Velez.” His assistant stepped out from the other side, looking troubled. “Miss Melany is asking why you didn’t bring her along.”
The invitation to this celebration included a plus–one.
But Zavier was afraid that Melany might get in his way, so he hadn’t told her.
Still, she snooped through his itinerary and found out he was attending the celebration in Fizzoria. She threw a fit, demanding to come.
Zavier rejected her and flew to Fizzoria with just his assistant.
“Ignore her,” Zavier said coldly, adjusted his collar, and strode into the
15 SON
COACHES 11 The Alcal Exitimtina
restaurant.
He had arrived a bit late.
Most guests had found familiar faces to chat with in small groups.
No one was fawning over Zavier here.
For a moment, Zavier felt a bit out of place and silently sipped a glass of wine in the corner.
After some polite greetings, the event officially began.
In the past, it was always Jerimiah who gave the opening speech. But this time, to make the moment feel special for Lenora, Seth came to the stage himself.
“Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the Finley Group’s centennial celebration.”
Thunderous applause filled the room, followed by waves of whispers.
“Seth hasn’t made a public speech in years. I can’t believe he’s doing it today just to introduce his granddaughter,”
“Seth really favors his own blood!”
“Nonsense, this is favoritism toward Lenora alone. Dane never got this treatment.”
“Seth took the stage personally just to introduce his granddaughter.”
“Blood ties really do run deep.”
Hearing the murmurs, Zavier knew the gift he had his assistant prepare would come in handy. He strengthened up and scanned the room, trying
to catch a glimpse of Seth’s granddaughter.
But just then, his assistant ran in from outside, covering the phone speaker and whispering urgently, “Mr. Velez, Miss Melany is on the phone. She’s demanding an explanation.”
“Get lost!” Zavier shot his assistant a glare.
“She said if you don’t give her an explanation, she’ll go to the hospital for an abortion…”
The assistant let go of the receiver, and a woman’s shrill voice blared from the phone.
“Zavier, how dare you sneak off to Fizzoria behind my back?! I’m getting an abortion!”
The shrill immediately drew annoyed looks from nearby guests.
Zavier could no longer sit still. Gritting his teeth, he snatched the phone and left the banquet hall.
“Melany, are you done yet?!”
Back in the banquet hall, the annual celebration continued.
“Tonight, aside from celebrating the Finley Group’s centennial, there’s another joyous announcement. I’ve found my beloved granddaughter, Liliana.”
Seth affectionately reached out to Lenora from the stage.
All eyes instantly turned to Lenora.
“Liliana, come here.”
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Lenora nodded obediently and walked up to stand beside Seth, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.
All gazes followed her.
Her long, jet–black hair was elegantly coiled at the back, and her refined features radiated elegance.
Her eyes were sparkling, and her skin was fair and flawless.
She slightly bowed forward and greeted everyone with composed grace.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Liliana Finley. Being reunited with my family is the greatest blessing of my life.
“And now, I want to share this happiness with all of you. May you all be surrounded by love, joy, and everything you wish for.”
Her heartfelt blessing triggered thunderous applause.
At that moment, Lenora had undoubtedly become the center of attention.
Bianca, seething with jealousy, stared at Lenora on stage. She pinched her thigh hard, forcing out two tears.
“My poor sister, you suffered so much out there. I’m so glad you’re finally home…”
Her dramatic sobbing drew the crowd’s attention.
“Wow, Bianca really loves her sister. Their bond must be so deep.”
“Seth is so lucky to have such wonderful granddaughters.”
Many were touched by the deep bond between Bianca and Lenora, yet a few whispers turned sour.
Chip:11. The Annial Celebration
“Liliana is so hot, and she’s wandering out there all these years… Do you think she might’ve been…”
The man’s voice faltered as a chill ran up his spine..
Turning around, he was met with Randall’s icy gaze and shut up instantly.
Seth noticed Bianca wiping her tears below the stage and beckoned her. “Bianca, you come up too.”
“Okay.” Bianca lifted her skirt, arching her back to make her figure pop.
She walked over to Lenora, held Lenora’s hand, and started to sob again. “Liliana, I will take good care of you and make up for all the suffering you endured.”
Bianca’s words sounded touching, but her eyes were fixed on Lenora’s chest.
She was wondering why the dress hadn’t slipped yet.
“Thank you, Bianca.” Lenora smiled and leaned in to hug Bianca, whispering so only the two could hear, “Bianca, what are you looking at? Are you wondering why my dress hasn’t slipped?”
Bianca’s body went stiff, her heart practically leaping into her throat.
She was surprised and confused.
How did Lenora know what she was thinking?
Before Bianca could figure it out, she suddenly felt something slip off her shoulder, and then a chill across her chest.
She instinctively looked down.
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The strap of her spaghetti dress had snapped. The dress slipped down, exposing
body.
A bone–chilling scream echoed through the entire banquet hall.
