Chapter 318 So, What If I'm a Love Child?
"Nora, Aaron," Ebenezer called out as he approached with a robust throng from the Hamilton family, greeting Nora and Aaron as they came near.
Each returned the gesture of politeness, and Evella Remington slipped away after exchanging brief pleasantries with a few others.
She likely wanted to avoid much interaction with Howard.
Howard merely glanced at her, harboring little fondness for the woman who had almost become his fiancé.
"Suzy, let me introduce you to some of the Remington family elders," Emma said, patting Suzy's hand gently.
Her expression remained cool throughout, only softening slightly when she spoke to Suzy.
Suzy agreed, "All right." She gave Nora a sidelong glance with a cold smirk on her lips before departing with Emma.
At that moment, a business associate came over to greet Ebenezer and his group, gesturing for them to join a conversation elsewhere.
"Nora, you and Sandy play for a while; we're going to meet some friends over there," Ebenezer said tenderly to Nora.
He had intended to announce today that Nora was his daughter.
However, he ultimately decided against it, thinking he should learn from the Remington family to plan a grander entrance for his daughter.
Maybe it would be better to wait and announce it during his father's 80th birthday celebration.
"Okay," Nora nodded, her heart feeling tender.
"Keep to yourself, and don't drink too much," Aaron warned before leaving.
"Got it," Nora replied with a smile.
Kenneth glanced at Sandy, "Let's go."
Sandy nodded, watching as the group dispersed, she coaxed, "Nora, let's grab something to eat."
Sandy led Nora to the buffet area where they picked up some food before finding a quiet corner to sit down.
The party was mostly the usual fare of men leveraging the opportunity for business talk and women competing in displays of elegance.
Nora wasn't keen on such things, but with Sandy’s company, it wasn't so boring.
"Emma has been giving the cold shoulder to Ebenezer these past few days," Sandy admitted after swallowing her food.
Nora was surprised, "Why?"
Sandy remarked, "Kenneth mentioned it's because of you."
"Because of me?" Nora was taken aback.
Sandy said, " Ebenezer is planning to announce your identity at Grandpa Hamilton' eightieth birthday celebration, but Emma disagrees."
That explained everything!
Nora was somewhat speechless. "There's no need for that. I don't need the Hamilton family's recognition,” she explained.
Sandy chuckled, "Nora, you are a part of the Hamilton family. Eventually, you'll have to embrace your roots."
Nora shook her head, and said, "It's just an identity. Does getting recognized mean I'm suddenly going to gain a few pounds?"
Sandy nodded in agreement and answered, "That's true. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way."
In the invisible hierarchies of society, identity often divides people into different classes. Living in this world, in the end, everyone is just another person trying to make sense of life.
While they were talking, someone approached.
"Sandy!"
The newcomer was a young, beautiful woman. Clad in a flowing apricot gown, she exuded an air of refined elegance.
Sandy paused, puzzled, "Who are you?"
"I'm Harper Long! Really, Sandy, you don't recognize me? It's only been a year. Have I changed that much?"
Harper Long seemed genuinely surprised.
A sense of alarm ran through Sandy as she quickly scrolled through her mental Rolodex, and she vaguely remembered that this Harper Long was a classmate of the real Sandy from her time abroad.
Suppressing the turmoil inside her, Sandy complimented, "Harper, you've changed for sure, become so stunningly beautiful, how could I recognize you?"
All women love compliments, and Harper Long laughed, tucking away any lingering suspicion, "Sandy, you always knew how to charm."
Seeing that Harper wasn't pressing the issue, Sandy breathed a sigh of relief and steered the conversation elsewhere. "Harper, let me introduce you. This is my friend Nora. Nora, this is my classmate, Harper Long."
Harper replied, "Nice to meet you."
Nora responded, "Nice to meet you too."
They exchanged pleasantries when a tall figure approached.
"Harper."
Sandy's face paled slightly upon seeing the man.
Why was he here?
The Remington family had significant standing in Lindwood City, which meant that the guest list for this gathering comprised only the wealthy or the elite.
One needed considerable prestige to enter this banquet hall. So, how did Zephyr get in here?
"Cousin, come over and chat for a bit," Harper Long said with a smile towards Zephyr.
Were Zephyr and Harper Long actually related? This was just too much of a soap opera twist!
Sandy felt a tightness in her chest, a flicker of panic in her eyes. "Hello, good to see you again,” she said.
Zephyr, holding a glass of wine, approached the group, his gaze briefly passing over Sandy, who was looking down, as he greeted Nora first.
"Hello, I'm Nora," Nora said with a slight nod, introducing herself.
"Zephyr," he responded, also giving his name.
Then he turned to Sandy, his eyes dark as ink, "Ms. Hernandez, what a coincidence."
Sandy, with a forced smile, said, "Hello."
Harper Long looked around, "So you two know each other?"
Zephyr looked at Sandy, "Yes, Ms. Hernandez and I along with Miss. Smith have met a few times. Ms. Hernandez bears a striking resemblance to an ex-girlfriend of mine."
His words were loaded with meaning, and Sandy, with her long lashes lowered, didn't dare meet his gaze, her nerves taut.
"Really? Dear cousin, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to Sandy! She's married now, you're out of luck. If you'd just reconciled with the family earlier, maybe your uncle could've arranged something for you," Harper Long teased.
Sandy's ears perked up at a critical point.
Zephyr was reconciling with his family? She remembered Zephyr mentioning he had no father and only a sickly mother.
He'd grown up in poverty, just him and his mother. Could it be that he came from a wealthy family?
"If I'd known my girlfriend would dump me for being broke and then run off with a rich guy, I would've claimed my place as the heir of the Wright family a long time ago," Zephyr said with an inscrutable glance at Sandy.
Sandy's fingers tensed, and her lashes quivered.
"This society is very realistic, Cousin. You're just too proud, refusing to acknowledge your uncle. Abroad, what's the big deal about being born out of wedlock? It happens all the time," Harper Long said.
"There's truth in that. What does it matter if one's an illegitimate child? At least it's better than being a penniless nobody," Zephyr said with a hint of sarcasm.
Sandy felt a twinge of discomfort at the mocking tone in his voice.
She set down the plate she was holding and stood up, announcing, "Nora, you guys continue chatting. I'm going to head to the restroom."
Nora had initially wanted to follow her, but considering Sandy might be carrying a secret, presumably, she would prefer some alone time, so Nora decided not to disturb her.
Zephyr watched Sandy's retreating figure with a flicker of pain in his eyes.
Nora caught his subtle expression and took a sip of her drink, her curiosity piqued. What secret could Sandy possibly be hiding?
Sandy made her way to the restroom. In front of the mirror, she splashed cold water on her face, striving to calm herself down.
Staring at her reflection, she took several deep breaths, suppressing all her emotions, and then turned to leave.
The banquet hall was still bustling with life, but she now found it utterly dull.
So, she turned and walked towards the estate's rear garden. It was breezy, with the autumn night's temperature already quite low.
Without a coat, the chill made Sandy shiver as soon as the cold wind touched her. She hesitated for a moment but then decided to return to the warmth of the lively banquet hall.
Just as she turned around, she saw Zephyr staring at her.
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