Chapter 523 She's Just Along for the Ride
Naturally, all of these thoughts remained unspoken and internalized. No one dared to address Blake directly, for he had introduced Evelyn as his long-lost daughter, and nobody wanted to even hint at the possibility of her being illegitimate. The gala attendees were astute, well aware that stirring trouble was the last thing anyone desired.
Throughout the gala, Blake remained inseparable from Evelyn, showing no inclination to leave her side.
Dora subtly nudged Lucia and whispered, "Go join your father. Don't allow Evelyn to bask in the limelight alone."
"Alright," Lucia nodded, having expected this. Mother and daughter soon went their separate ways, and Lucia swiftly joined Blake, addressing him as "Dad."
"Why did you leave Evelyn alone? You were supposed to accompany her," Blake voiced his disapproval. After all, Lucia had volunteered to be with Evelyn, but when he arrived to meet them, only Evelyn was present.
Feeling unjustly accused, Lucia's eyes welled up with tears. "Dad, Evelyn isn't a child. I can't keep her tethered to me."
She silently added to herself, "If you hadn't only given her the jewelry, I wouldn't have left first."
Lucia held back her complaints, knowing that voicing them would only make her seem childish to Blake.
Seeing her so upset, Blake let it go, "Alright, stay with us now. This is a good opportunity to introduce you both to some important people."
In the past, he never made it a point to introduce Lucia to others at these events. He didn't see the need, and he believed Lucia wouldn't understand the significance anyway.
But now, with Evelyn's return, Blake was determined to pave the way for her to assume control of the family business.
As for Lucia...
She was to merely accompany Evelyn.
The two sisters attended the soiree with Blake, but while Evelyn remained tightly linked with him throughout the evening, Lucia simply trailed beside them. It was painfully evident who held greater importance in his eyes.
Midway through the festivities, having finally introduced Evelyn to all the relevant guests, Blake turned to her with a look of concern.
"You must be tired. These social functions can be pretty draining with all the mingling and small talk," he said, eyes softening as he observed the perpetual smile that Evelyn managed to keep on her face, a smile that betrayed no hint of her true feelings. Pride and remorse swelled within him simultaneously.
Since her youth, he had meticulously orchestrated Evelyn's education, and it had paid off handsomely. Evelyn had become everything he had envisioned.
Yet, now he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for the rigid path he had charted for her. He was coming to terms with his shortcomings as a father.
However, Blake remained unaware that the social obligations weren't actually burdensome for Evelyn. She navigated them with ease and found them far from exhausting.
"I'm managing," she replied with a gentle smile, her response genuine.
Blake didn't buy it, convinced Evelyn was only saying so to keep him from worrying.
"There's a bit of a lull now. Why don't you take a break over there?" he suggested, nodding toward a corner where a buffet had been set up.
"Sure, and don't you overdo it either," she responded without hesitation, returning the nod.
Despite the lingering resentment she held towards Blake, Evelyn could see his effort to make amends.
Her heart wasn't made of steel. She could feel moved, and her heart would soften.
Father and daughter shared laughter and warm camaraderie, casting Lucia completely to the sidelines, her presence seemingly invisible.
Inside, Lucia was deeply wounded, but she dared not reveal her anguish before the crowd, forcing herself to endure silently. No one could know the depth of her anguish.
Lucia couldn't understand it. They were both his daughters. Why the blatant favoritism? Was it simply because her mother wasn't his beloved?
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