Chapter 190 High-Profile Announcement
The call was from Semona Estate.
Douglas' public announcement of their relationship was no longer a secret.
Previously, the family respected their wishes and never made a big deal out of it. Now that they have openly announced it, the family had no intention of hiding it.
"Tomorrow night, I will host a dinner party. Relatives and friends of the Semona family, as well as some big shots, will be there. You and Regina should prepare to dazzle everyone. After all, you two are the main stars of the evening."
Before Douglas could speak, Leo excitedly said on the other end of the line, "I've already sent out all the invitations for the dinner party."
Leo meant to proceed without supervision.
Hearing this, Douglas felt a headache coming on. "Grandpa, I haven't asked Regina's opinion yet."
Douglas thought that Regina probably wouldn't like such an occasion.
But Regina vaguely heard Leo's excited voice. At this moment, she definitely wouldn't do anything to spoil the fun. So she smiled slightly and said softly to the person on the other end of the line, "Don't worry, Grandpa, I will prepare well."
Leo's face lit up with a grin.
"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time. You're the Semona family's rightful bride. Douglas kept you hidden for so long—I couldn't stand it any longer."
Leo's words carried a hint of reproach, and Regina quickly tried to explain, "No, it wasn't like that. The decision to keep our relationship private was mutual. I..."
"Don't defend him. During that time, it was hard on you."
Regina fell silent.
Leo had a soft spot for Regina.
Douglas, on the other hand, appeared indifferent.
Of course, he wished everyone adored Regina just as much.
"Don't worry, Regina. The Semona family won't treat you poorly. We'll make sure you get the best," Leo assured her with solemnity.
The way Leo spoke almost instantly reminded Regina of Tasha.
Tasha used to always try to give her the very best.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"What are you saying? Douglas marrying you is not just his luck but ours as well. Since you joined Douglas in marriage, it feels like the Semona family has been thriving even more."
That last comment seemed a bit exaggerated.
The Semona family had been flourishing steadily for years. Regina's arrival hadn't changed that much.
She took Leo's words as a kind gesture meant to make her feel good.
Whenever Regina was at the Semona family's home, she was deeply reminded of how crucial a positive family environment was for personal growth. Meeting Douglas and becoming part of the Semona family felt like a divine blessing.
After hanging up the phone, Regina leaned into Douglas's embrace and thoughtfully said, "When I first came to the Semona family and saw Grandpa's face, I thought he'd be really stern. But then…"
Regina chuckled. "I found out he's actually quite endearing."
"Endearing?" Douglas was unfamiliar with this term, but upon reflection, it made sense coming from Regina.
Leo indeed doted on her, much like a beloved granddaughter.
In truth, Leo had once been known for his stern demeanor.
In the Semona family, no one could escape Leo's stern teachings during their formative years, and Douglas was perhaps the one who faced the strictest discipline.
However, in recent years, Leo had retired and gradually handed over the family's enterprises to the younger generation. After a lifetime of hard work, Leo began to slow down, tending to his garden and adopting a much gentler demeanor.
The Semona family was known for its understated style, but the Sunday evening gala was anything but modest. It was a grand affair, with high-profile figures and major media outlets in attendance—a stark contrast to the family's usual preference for staying out of the limelight. Douglas, in particular, had very few public photos circulating online before now.
This time, however, they were doing things differently.
Regina, dressed in a high-fashion gown, and Douglas made their entrance together, instantly illuminating the night with a flurry of camera flashes that turned darkness into daylight.
Had Regina not had such a strong composure, she might have struggled to maintain her poise, and there would have been a flood of unflattering photos.
Following Leo's wishes, they were both dressed to the nines for the occasion.
In front of the cameras, they presented a scene of breathtaking elegance. The moment Douglas bent down to adjust Regina's gown was a picture-perfect display of romance and grandeur.
Once out of the spotlight, Regina looked at Douglas with curiosity. "Why did we invite the media? Aren't you usually not a fan of these kinds of events?"
"Not at all," Douglas replied, though he was secretly thrilled at the thought of the entire world knowing about their relationship.
They made their way to the grand ballroom.
Leo, looking vibrant and engaged, was mingling with guests. Even after stepping back from the spotlight for a few years, Leo navigated the social scene with the same ease and authority, exuding the charisma of someone at the top. The Leo Regina usually saw at Semona Estate seemed like a different person.
But as soon as Leo saw Regina, his imposing presence melted away, replaced by a warm and affectionate demeanor.
"Ha-ha, my granddaughter-in-law is here! Let me introduce you all!" Leo's hearty laugh filled the room as he walked toward Regina, instantly drawing the attention of the high society crowd.
Regina had only discovered upon arriving at the gala that Leo had orchestrated such a grand affair just two days after making their relationship public.
With little time to process it, she took a deep breath and gracefully blended into the extravagant celebration Leo had meticulously planned for them.
"My grandson has quite the taste, doesn't he? He's found himself such a beautiful bride!" Leo's voice rang out with pride. "Let me tell you, my granddaughter-in-law is an exceptional graduate of Normon University. Even more impressive, she speaks five languages. Now she and Douglas are working together at the company, and I have no doubts that the future of the business is in excellent hands!"
Leo's exuberant praise left everyone in awe.
Regina, deep down, knew that over the years, many of her personal accomplishments had been overshadowed by life's challenges. Yet, since Douglas had entered her life, she had felt continually validated and reassured of her worth. Love had seeped into her soul like a gentle spring rain.
At the gala, Leo showed Regina immense respect. The tycoons and celebrities Regina had only ever seen on TV or in the news were now congratulating her and Douglas.
Leo made a grand gesture by presenting a family heirloom: a stunning emerald ring.
The crowd's reaction was one of astonishment. This ring was not just a piece of jewelry—it was a symbol of the Semona family's legacy. The last person to wear it was Douglas' mother, Elizabeth, and before her, it had been passed down to Douglas' grandmother.
Those in the upper echelons of society could immediately gauge the ring's worth. Beyond its estimated value of over a hundred million dollars, its significance was monumental. This was a mark of honor and trust within the Semona family.
