Chapter 369

Chapter 369 92%8 Esther froze for a second, her mind racing. What does she mean by “steal the spotlight“? Is she really calling me out like that in front of everyone? Does she think I can’t tell what she’s doing? she thought.

Her face darkened. She shot Lindsey a heated glare. If Jim hadn’t just scolded her, she would’ve gone off on Lindsey right here without hesitation.

Her hand, which was hidden in the shadows, clenched into a fist. Stay calm, she thought. Don’t let it get to you. Keep it together.’

Jim, still frowning, clearly frustrated, spoke up. “Lindsey, what exactly are you implying?”

Lindsey tilted her head. “Are you really going to let me explain to everyone how your precious daughter, Esther, is just trying to get attention?”

She said the last part with a noticeable shift in her tone, looking at Esther with a smirk. Jim’s temper flared. He shot Esther an angry look, his patience clearly running thin.

He never expected his family drama to be aired in front of so many people, especially not tonight.

As he scanned the room and caught the mocking glances from the guests, his face turned even darker. His blood began to boil.

Jim couldn’t help but think that after tonight, his family was going to lose even more respect.

‘If only I had known this was going to happen, I should’ve never come to this dinner, he thought bitterly.

But it was too late to regret it now.

Jim took a deep breath, trying to regain control. He raised his voice and forced a smile, looking at the guests. “Just a little misunderstanding between the girls. Sorry to interrupt your evening, everyone. My apologies for the trouble.”

He then turned to Jocelyn on stage, raising his glass toward her. “Mrs. Jocelyn Hartley, I’m truly sorry. Please, go ahead and continue.”

Jocelyn briefly glanced at Elysia beside her before looking back at the guests, her smile still polite and composed. “Everyone, just a minor interruption. Let’s get back to the dinner.”

She gave Elysia another quick smile, and the two of them proceeded to cut into the cake again.

Elysia was shocked. She hadn’t expected Lindsey to call out Jim like that, especially not at a formal dinner.

It was so out of character for her cousin, who was usually so polite and delicate.

But, honestly, Elysia didn’t mind it. There was something oddly refreshing about it.

Edward and Quinita stood off to the side, not far from the stage, their eyes fixed on their daughter in Jocelyn’s arms. A strange, bitter feeling twisted in both of their hearts.

“Edward, what do you think Jocelyn is up to?” Quinita asked, her voice quiet but laced with worry.

Edward frowned, his gaze narrowing. “If I had to guess, the Hartley family is probably eyeing Elysia.”

Quinita felt the same way. Ever since Jocelyn showed up at the banquet, she’d had a nagging feeling that something was off, but it hadn’t hit her this hard before.

She wasn’t exactly close with Jocelyn, but they weren’t strangers, either. Back when she lived in Jorlandia, their families had 09:59 Thu, 20 Mar Chapter 369 92%

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some connection. But after she moved to Durinville, they lost touch. And when she moved abroad, the connection grew even more distant.

The last time Jocelyn had returned to the country, she showed up at Elysia’s welcome party, wearing a purple dress, just like today. But while the color was the same, the style was different.

That night, when Jocelyn had stood among the guests, Quinita recognized her immediately.

But Quinita knew that while she recognized Jocelyn, most of the people from Jorlandia’s high society probably didn’t.

That wasn’t surprising though. Jocelyn wasn’t the type to make small talk or play the social game. She didn’t flatter or manipulate people to get ahead. Plus, since she lived abroad most of the time, it made sense that few people actually knew her, In the end, Quinita wondered if Jocelyn was here for Elysia.

Watching the two of them, so close on stage, made Quinita’s chest tighten.

She had just found her daughter, and already, someone was setting their sights on her.

After Jocelyn made the fifth cut on the cake, both she and Elysia stopped. The rest of the cake–cutting was handed over to the staff.

The staff treated the cake like a masterpiece, slicing each piece with precision, and every cut was flawless and smooth.

The waiters then carried the slices, either serving them directly to guests or placing them at the cake station for everyone to enjoy.

Elysia’s gaze instantly found Fabian and Javier. They were surrounded by a group of middle–aged men in suits, so she decided not to bother them.

She scanned the crowd some more, and her eyes landed on two familiar figures standing not far away. A smile tugged at her lips. Just as she was about to take a step forward, a flash of purple caught her eye. It was Jocelyn.

Jocelyn was all smiles, reaching out to take Quinita’s hand as if they were the best of friends.

Quinita’s smile was polite, but her eyes betrayed no emotion. Her thoughts were unreadable.

Elysia took a sip of her juice, her foot pausing mid–step.

She wasn’t sure what would happen if she walked over right now.

“Elysia.” Alice’s voice called out, drawing Elysia’s attention.

Elysia turned with a smile, but as soon as she saw the woman standing behind Alice, her smile faltered.

The woman was dressed in a white off–the–shoulder dress, her hair flowing in soft waves, and her skin was flawless. She had strikingly similar features to Jocelyn.

Elysia quickly pieced it together, but she didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Just as she was thinking, the woman stepped forward and extended her hand, smiling wider. “Hi, I’m Zane’s sister, Lucille.”

“Hi,” Elysia said, reaching out her soft and tender hand to shake Lucille’s hand. “I’m Elysia Rosewood.”

She introduced herself as Elysia Rosewood, not Elysia Evans because ever since Zane met her, that was the name she used.

“I know. Alice has told me all about you.” Lucille replied, glancing down at Alice with a smile.

*I’ve been dying to meet the girl who caught Zane’s eye. And now, here you are, Elysia. When you two get married, you can 09:

nu, 20 Chapter 369 call me sis like Zane does. Sound good?”

Her tone was light and interrogative, but Elysia didn’t mind. She was about to respond when Alice jumped in, grinning, “If Elysia’s calling you sis, what is she to me?”

Alice stopped for a second before her face lit up with a mischievous grin. “I know! I’ll call her... Aunt Elysia!”

Elysia nearly choked. That sudden “Aunt” was awkward, especially in front of Lucille, She quickly composed herself, forcing a smile to cover up the discomfort. But her cheeks were already turning pink, betraying her.

Lucille’s smile widened, clearly amused. She reached out and ruffled Alice’s hair. “You’re smart about this?

Seeing Lucille’s reaction, Elysia couldn’t help but feel like she was actually happy about Alice calling her Aunt Elysia.

“Lucille, I-” Elysia began to say, but Alice grabbed her hand, cutting her off.

With wide, innocent eyes, Alice looked up at her and said, “Okay, calling you Aunt sounds a little old, but it’s easier to say than anything else, right?”

Elysia was left speechless. She had no idea how to respond.

“Elysia, come on. We’re going to be family soon. You and Zane...” Alice’s voice trailed off.

Elysia saw things were quickly spiraling out of control. She quickly cut Alice off before she could say anything more. “Alright, fine.

I agree.”