Chapter 102

Emily grappled with jealousy when she saw Violet recelve attention from Oliver, and was further shocked to find Violet with Lucius.

Lucius’s earlier remark left Patrick speechless. Emily’s curiosity was clawed at, making her uneasy.

She left her father, and curiously approached Lucius and Violet.

“I need to use the restroom,” Violet sald, eventually managing to break free from Lucius’s clutches.

She dashed to the restroom without waiting for his response. She had been holding it in for a long time, and had reached her limit.

Upon exiting, she found herself blocked by Emily, who confronted her with a pressing question.

Violet gave Emily a harsh stare, and remained mute.

“What’s your relationship with Mr. Davis?” Emily demanded.

Violet, unfazed and cold, dismissed her. “Is that any of your concern?”

“I’m asking on Dad’s behalf! Mr. Davis is well–known for his power and fortune. What makes him think he’s interested in you? You aren’t his mistress, are you? You’re still a Wickham, even after Dad kicked you out. Your name is still listed in the family register. If you do something shameful, it’ll bring dishonor to Dad and the family name.”

“Enough!” Without wanting to hear anything more, Violet interrupted her. “Don’t worry, I have nothing to do with him. I won’t be tarnishing the family reputation!”

“Are you sure?” Emily’s strained heart eventually calmed down. “You’re not lying to me?”

“Are you worth my effort to lie to?” Violet responded before walking away.

Emily finally quit bothering her. She was convinced that Lucius couldn’t have any serious interest in Violet.

To her, Lucius’s interaction with Violet seemed nothing more than a fleeting act of kindness, akin to walking a pet. Wealthy individuals like him often entertained numerous fleeting interests, and were unlikely to remember or deeply care for someone they deemed insignificant.

Content with her assumption, Emily confidently returned to the banquet hall.

Meanwhile, Violet re–entered the hall to find Lucius still where she had left him, now encircled by people eager to engage with him.

3 –

+15 BONOS She observed his annoyed expression, and wondered why he remained in a place he obviously didn’t enjoy.

Opting not to join him and avoiding fueling rumors about their relationship, Violet chose to leave the hall alone.

As she approached the parking lot, Lucius called out to her, catching up. “Violet! Why are your leaving without a word?”

Violet responded with a gentle smile. “You looked busy, so I didn’t want to disturb you. But thank you.”

The warmth and security she had felt from his earlier expression of affection lingered, even though she knew it wasn’t genuine.

Lucius appeared frustrated.

Busy? He had stayed only because he was waiting for her, tolerating the uninteresting crowd.

“I need to go now. Goodbye,” Violet said, seemingly eager to distance herself from him.

As a taxi arrived; she quickly got in and departed.

Lucius experienced a flash of anger. He was Lucius Davis, after all–a man of great talent and reputation. He wouldn’t let himself be troubled over a woman, and he certainly wouldn’t attempt to keep her there.

He promptly got into his car and drove off.

Watching from afar, Emily saw Lucius and Violet part ways. She felt utterly reassured, believing Violet was so insignificant to Lucius that he didn’t even bother to escort her.

Emily, feeling content with her own assumptions about Violet, returned to the banquet hall, only to find her father, Patrick, standing alone in a corner.

He seemed deep in thought, his wine untouched, and his attention disengaged from the others.

around him.

The recent comments from Lucius had evidently impacted Patrick, leading him to question if he had been overly harsh with Violet.

His harsh words had been a result of his frustration over Emily’s vocal injury, which cost her a chance to join the Besa choir and led to Emily wanting to drop out of school.

This was compounded by Belle’s emotional accusations that Violet had ruined Emily’s future.

+15 BONOS When Violet had called, Patrick, fueled by his anger, had lashed out with those hurtful words.

Though Emily couldn’t fully understand what was going through her father’s mind, she could sense his troubled state. She approached him, and gently called out, “Dad.”

Patrick, looking up, asked about his younger daughter. “Where’s Vivi?”

Emily, showing signs of discomfort and hesitation, eventually spoke up.

“Did she leave with Lucius?” Patrick’s concern was evident in his raised voice and furrowed brows, aware of Lucius’s reputation for being a ladies‘ man.

Emily confirmed with a nod.

Patrick became visibly agitated. Unable to articulate his frustration fully, he turned his questioning gaze toward Emily. “Why didn’t you stop her?”

“I… I couldn’t.” Emily responded, continuing her deception. She blamed Violet for her lost singing career, and sought retribution.

“You should have tried harder!” Patrick’s voice escalated, attracting attention from nearby waiters.

He quickly regained his composure.

Emily, feigning distress, said, “Dad, I did all I could. I even told her to openly introduce Lucius to us if they were dating, to avoid misunderstandings. But she said…”

“What did she say?” Patrick pressed, urgently needing to know.

Emily went on, “She said she wants no further relationship with you or our family, insisting that we shouldn’t meddle in her life. She also claimed she’s Mr. Davis’s lover, and is quite content with that role.”