Chapter 348
Cassie paid no mind to the whispers floating her way. Her attention was fixed on the grand screen announcing "The Hernandez Foundation Charity Night."
Could Joseph be here at a Hernandez Foundation event?
Her gaze swept the room, and she felt faint; not only was Joseph present, but so were Luna, Mildred, Mabel, Celeste, and the rest of the Hernandez clan. Even Vera and Leo Chapman were there.
All eyes turned toward them in surprise.
Cassie's legs trembled as she could only see Joseph in her mind's eye — his sharp black suit, the intense dark gaze fixed on her, and the coldness in his eyes that only she could comprehend.
"You said no one I knew would be here," she said to Liam, her tone tinged with annoyance.
"If I hadn't said that, you wouldn't have come," Liam replied with a mischievous wink. "Didn't you notice Vera and Luna are here too? I brought you specifically to knock them down a peg."
"Liam." Cassie was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by his misguided good intentions.
"Let them see that you're with me now, and no one will dare bully you again." Liam insisted, pulling her hand firmly as he strode towards the crowd.
"Cassie, of all people, why did you have to show up?" Luna fumed, her voice dripping with accusation. "Are you jealous of me and Joseph? Is that why you hooked up with Liam to get back at us?"
"I'm just friends with Liam." Cassie exhaled deeply, her response also for Joseph's benefit.
Joseph swirled the wine in his glass, his handsome face shadowed with thought, as Walter intoned gravely. "Liam, when did you two get so chummy? Grow up and be a bit more thoughtful, will you?"
Leo Chapman pulled Cassie to his side protectively. "Cassie is my daughter and nobody else's."
Vera scoffed. "Honey, don't you see? A bastard is a bastard. The guests tonight are all from noble families and elite circles. Her presence will only invite ridicule and tarnish your reputation."
Liam shrugged nonchalantly. "Why all the fuss? She's my date for tonight. Mind your own business."
"Enough!" Mabel suddenly interjected coolly. "Liam consulted me about this beforehand, and I gave him the permission to bring her."
The room fell silent, and Joseph squinted, "You?"
"You're already getting married to Luna, and Liam isn't getting any younger." Mabel cut him off.
Vera was adamant. "You might not be aware, but this Cassie and her mother, they have a character..."
"I'll know her character after I get to know her. I don't need someone else to tell me," Mabel responded with the authority of someone accustomed to command, silencing Vera with a look.
"Thanks, Mom." Liam grinned.
Cassie was stunned; she had never imagined Mabel would defend her. This was an unforeseen turn of events.
"Let's take our seats; the dinner is about to begin," Mildred said with a meaningful glance at Cassie. Some things didn't require a rush; she certainly didn't approve of Liam getting involved with Cassie, a woman of uncertain parentage, not for her grandson.
...
Numerous celebrities attended tonight's charity gala.
After taking their seats, Joseph, the chairman of the foundation, stepped up to give his speech. Dressed in a sharp suit, his impressive stature exuded a noble and distinguished aura.
As he addressed the gathering, the calm confidence he radiated earned him their lavish praise.
Luna watched the man on the stage, utterly entranced.
A man as handsome and charismatic as Joseph was someone she intended to hold on to tightly.
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