Chapter 28
“Oh no, Kate, you’ll ruin your dress! Why did you let the glass fall?” Amanda exclaimed as she dabbed at the stain on her hands with a handkerchief.
Bella was in shock as she watched Lilly, struggling to keep her grip on her own wine glass as her hand trembled. She glanced at her husband and saw his astonishment mixed with a hint of joy upon seeing Lilly.
“Is he actually pleased she’s back?” Bella thought, her teeth clenched. She then turned to her daughter, observing her stunned reaction.
Kate was slowly moving towards Lilly and Alexander, and seeing this, Bella hurried to intercept her before she could do something rash.
Reaching her daughter just in time, Bella held her back. Kate glared at her mother with visible frustration. “Let me go, Mother!”
“What are you planning to do, Kate?” Bella asked, trying to understand her daughter's intentions.
“Didn’t you hear the announcer? She was introduced as Mrs. Kane. How can I just stand here while she comes back into our lives to not only claim the company that is my inheritance but also take Alexander from me?” Kate’s eyes were fiery with anger.
Bella sighed, noticing the onlookers staring at them. She forced a smile in apology and then gently guided Kate to a quieter spot in the hotel to help her calm down.
“Calm yourself, Kate. You need to stay composed and avoid making a scene,” Bella said.
“How can I stay calm with her back here?” Kate retorted.
“I will handle the situation regarding her return. All I need from you is to remain calm,” Bella reassured her.
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Peter was stunned to see Lilly, the daughter he had thought was lost forever, standing right before him. He attempted to approach her but was halted by a cold look from Lilly. He was reminded of the strained relationship they had after their mother’s death, which had caused her and her late sisters to move away.
“Where has she been for the past two years? How did they not locate her? Was she hiding from them? Does she know her grandfather has been searching for her across the country? No official records show she left, so she must have stayed here. Why is she referred to as Mrs. Kane?” Peter’s mind was filled with questions. Despite his urge to embrace Lilly and express his joy at her survival, he chose to remain calm, knowing that her grandfather was likely already aware of her presence.
“Should we inform the old master?” his assistant inquired.
“There’s no need; he must already know,” Peter replied.
Lilly had made sure to keep her father at a distance with a stern look and had also noticed Kate attempting to create a scene before being taken away by her mother. She was relieved that Kate’s temper had been managed before escalating further.
As she stood with Alexander, Richard and Sophia approached, trying to keep their presence low-key.
“Hi Lilly, you look stunning tonight,” Sophia said, giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek.
“She really does,” Richard added.
“Thank you,” Lilly said, accepting their compliments.
Richard and Sophia were from esteemed families, which explained their presence at the gala.
“I was amazed when Alexander said he would introduce you as Mrs. Kane, and now it’s actually happening right before my eyes,” Richard said with a grin. “But you might want to start introducing yourself as his wife, as no one believes it just yet.”
Alexander remained silent, his expression unreadable as he observed Lilly chatting with Richard and Sophia.
“Come with me,” Alexander said, motioning for Lilly to follow as he led the way.
They walked to a different part of the hall, where a diverse group of high-profile guests were gathered. Lilly spotted the patriarch of the Castillo family surrounded by his sons and grandchildren.
Everyone’s attention shifted to them as they approached.
“Alexander,” a young man of similar height greeted him warmly, indicating a close friendship.
“I’ve missed you, my friend,” Ethan said.
“I’m busy right now, so please move aside,” Alexander replied coldly.
Ethan’s gaze shifted to Lilly. “She is truly beautiful. Who is she?”
“Were you not listening when she was announced as Mrs. Kane?” Alexander’s voice was frosty.
Ethan’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Is this a joke? Alexander Kane is married? How did I not know this?”
“This is not a joke. And no, you do not need to be woken up from a dream because you are very much awake,” Alexander said, pushing Ethan aside.
Lilly smiled at Ethan’s stunned expression before continuing to follow Alexander. She recognized Ethan as the third-generation heir of the Castillo family.
As they neared the patriarch of the Castillo family, the gathered guests stared at them with a mix of curiosity and surprise. Alexander approached the old master, who had hoped Alexander would marry his granddaughter but was now confronted with Lilly as Mrs. Kane.
“Old master,” Alexander said with a slight bow of respect.
“You troublemaker, you gave me headaches throughout my life, and now you’re giving me a new one?” the old master said, his frustration evident.
Understanding the source of the old master’s irritation, Alexander held out his hand, and Lilly took it, standing by his side.
The old master studied Lilly with a frown, struggling to accept her as Alexander’s wife.
“This is my wife, Lilly Evans,” Alexander announced.
The surrounding guests were taken aback, having heard the announcement but not fully believing it until now. They examined Lilly, intrigued by the woman who had managed to marry Alexander, known for his disdain towards women.
Lilly bowed politely as a greeting.
The old master scrutinized her with a deep frown before addressing Alexander. “Are you marrying a stranger instead of my granddaughter?”
Lilly, aware of the old master’s desire for a family alliance, smiled knowingly. She knew that while Alexander and others might see her as an ordinary woman, the media and public would soon learn the truth.
The old master, noticing Lilly’s calm demeanor, questioned her with raised eyebrows, “Why are you smiling?”
Lilly wiped the smile from her face and offered an apologetic bow.
“You should consider yourself fortunate to be with someone like him, otherwise, you’d be nothing,” the old master said sharply.
Lilly sighed internally at the old master’s harshness.
“It’s my choice,” Alexander said simply, causing the old master’s anger to flare up towards Lilly.
Kate, her mother, and her father were shocked by Alexander’s words, with Kate’s anger visibly growing as she clenched her fists.
After a tense moment, the old master sighed, “Since you’re here, you should sit and enjoy the meal.”
Alexander pulled out a chair for Lilly and then took his own seat, an action that drew the attention of everyone present.
Kate’s fury grew as tears began to flow from her eyes.
Soon, the focus returned to the celebration of the old master’s birthday. During the serving of the third course, a soup dish, Lilly began to feel nauseous. She excused herself and went to the restroom. After vomiting and composing herself, she exited to find two large men in black standing in her path.
“Miss Lilly Evans, you need to come with us,” one of the men said.
Noticing the absence of Alexander’s guards, Lilly realized she was alone and in danger. The men’s size and their removal of the guards made her realize she had no choice but to scream.
Trying to steady herself, Lilly attempted to inquire about who sent them.
“You will find out soon enough,” one of the men said.
Before she could react, her mouth was covered with a cloth, and she lost consciousness.
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