Chapter 95 Only Recognizes Lily, Not Nicole!
The room went silent for a moment, then erupted in noise!
Evelyn's eyes turned icy, but her face stayed calm. She had it all under control.
Meanwhile, Eric was sweating bullets, quickly following her. His tall, strong frame radiated energy, and he called out, "Lily."
Evelyn glanced at him, her eyes like crescent moons. "It's okay."
Eric's heart skipped a beat. 'That smile—who could resist it?'
"Aunt Tiffany, today is Byron's birthday. Let's not discuss unrelated matters. Besides, this is my personal business," Edward said coldly, hiding his anger.
"Edward, don't hold it against me. I just spoke too quickly," Tiffany said with a fake guilty smile. "I just wanted to introduce Lily to everyone since the guests don't know her. Even if she's no longer part of the Wellington family, she was once our daughter-in-law. Even if she comes from a poor background, I can't let others look down on her."
'Listen to her! Acting like she really cares about Lily!'
The guests whispered, looking at Evelyn with mixed feelings.
Nicole and Debra were secretly pleased that Tiffany's words revealed Lily was no longer part of the Wellington family but confirmed her link to Landon.
"Thank you, Tiffany, for your concern," Evelyn said with a calm smile, like a proud red rose. "I think even if I had never married Edward, no one would look down on me. Just because I come from a poor background, does that mean I should be looked down upon? Where's the logic in that?"
Edward pressed his lips together, not speaking, but his eyes showed a hint of anger as he looked at Evelyn. 'Lily, did marrying me never give you any pride?'
Evelyn's confident words resonated with some guests.
"Exactly, so what if she comes from a poor background? My grandfather was a farmer, and now he's worth billions."
"Tiffany's words were a bit condescending to this young lady!"
"She's not much better herself. I remember she was a washed-up actress. That's not even as good as a farmer, in my opinion!"
Tiffany bit her lip, her face turning red and white. She hadn't expected Evelyn to handle it so well!
"Well said. What's wrong with being a country girl? I like the simple and unpretentious!" Eric whispered to Evelyn, feeling secretly pleased.
Evelyn was speechless, 'Thanks a lot!'
Edward watched her close interaction with Eric, feeling a burning anger.
"Edward!" Nicole walked over with a smile, linking her arm with his. "Don't overthink it. Tiffany was actually looking out for Ms. Brown. By saying these things, Ms. Brown won't feel awkward anymore, right?"
Edward's expression was dark, his arm stiff in Nicole's grip. The guests' gazes grew more complicated.
"Looking at it this way, Ms. Brown's situation is a bit awkward. Since she's already divorced Edward, she really shouldn't have come to this birthday party today. Isn't she just asking for trouble?"
"Didn't you hear? Byron specifically invited her. Even though they're divorced, it shows she still holds a place in Byron's heart."
"Not necessarily. I think she's here to cause trouble. She probably isn't happy about divorcing such an outstanding man like Edward."
"Lily, don't listen to them! They don't know anything. You're not that kind of person!" Eric said fiercely, wishing he could shut up the gossipers.
"You can't control what others say. I never take it to heart," Evelyn said with a smile, showing great poise.
Just as Nicole thought she had the upper hand, a strong voice cut through the air.
"I want to see who dares to make Lily feel awkward!"
Everyone turned to see Byron, dressed in a pure white traditional robe, walking out slowly with the help of Patrick and Tyler.
Byron wasn't in a wheelchair today. His white hair was neatly combed, his face glowing, and he stood straight, showing no signs of his long illness.
"Byron," Evelyn said, smiling with relief at seeing Byron in good spirits.
Tiffany quickly signaled to Nicole, putting on a gentle smile as she walked up to Byron. "Byron, today is your special day, and it's rare for our family to be so gathered."
"Nicole, as the granddaughter-in-law, come over and support Byron."
"Byron, I'm here to help you," Nicole said, smiling sweetly. But as she stepped forward, Byron looked at Edward and Evelyn with a grin.
"Edward, Lily! Come, you two support me!"
He glanced at Patrick, "Move aside, you're annoying. I prefer being with young people; their energy lifts my spirits!"
Patrick gave a wry smile and stepped back.
Nicole's steps faltered, her face turning red with embarrassment. She couldn't move forward, and retreating would be even more humiliating! She forced a smile, cursing Byron in her heart.
Evelyn's eyes widened slightly, instinctively looking at Edward, who happened to look at her at the same time, and their eyes met suddenly. Evelyn immediately turned her gaze away, showing him only a cold, perfect profile without a hint of lingering emotion.
Edward felt a moment of disorientation, pressing his thin lips together, and also looked away, walking alongside her to Byron's side.
Everyone exchanged glances. 'Byron's attitude towards Nicole was very telling!'
Tiffany's eyes reddened with anger. Byron not only embarrassed Nicole but also disrespected her! But she had to force a smile. After all, Byron was the most powerful person in the Wellington family, holding shares in the Wellington Group. His words still carried weight in the family, and she didn't dare to act out.
"Byron, you look better and healthier every day. That's wonderful," Evelyn said as she affectionately supported Byron, her smile genuinely happy.
"Seeing Lily makes me happy, and when I'm happy, I get better!"
Byron looked at Evelyn kindly, nodding in satisfaction. "Beautiful! My taste is impeccable. Lily, you look stunning in the outfit I gave you!"
Edward was taken aback. 'So, this outfit was a gift from Byron!'
The guests finally understood, and their gazes towards Nicole changed. 'It turned out Byron had favored Lily from the start and never liked Nicole.' 'Even though Lily and Edward were divorced, in Byron's eyes, he still only recognized Lily, not Nicole!'
The complex gazes from all directions seemed to swallow Nicole, and a huge sense of humiliation crawled up her legs like thousands of ants.
"Byron, since everyone is here, let's take a family photo first," Tiffany suggested, knowing Byron liked photos. She pulled the stiff Nicole forward and politely said to Evelyn, "Lily, would you mind taking a photo for us?"
"Of course not," Evelyn replied graciously.
"Lily is not only my honored guest but also my family! How can you ask my family to take photos? Lily, come! Stand by my side!" Byron looked at Tiffany with disdain. "Anyone who makes Lily unhappy makes me unhappy!"
Tiffany bit her lip, looking to Patrick for help. Patrick couldn't bear to see his wife being scolded by Byron in front of so many people, so he softly persuaded, "Byron, I know you like Lily, but she is divorced from Edward. It's not appropriate for her to be in our family photo."
"So what?!"Byron's thick eyebrows shot up. "If they're divorced, I'll recognize her as my granddaughter! She will always be part of the Wellington family!"
Evelyn felt a strong warmth in her heart, her eyes moistening. This was why she couldn't completely sever ties with the Wellington family—she couldn't bear to leave Byron.
Nicole was furious, nearly fainting from anger. Everyone was in disbelief! 'Lily was indeed beautiful, but what kind of charm did she have to make Byron so fond of her?'
"Byron," Edward said, feeling uncomfortable with Byron wanting to recognize Lily as his granddaughter. "Don't make it hard for her. Even if you mean well, she might not want it."
"It's not that Lily doesn't want it, but it's you who doesn't want it, right?"
Byron fixed a piercing gaze upon Edward. "The instant I expressed my desire to acknowledge Lily as my granddaughter, the resentment etched on your countenance was palpable. Merely beholding it irks me!"
Evelyn remained silent. Edward's impeccably handsome visage hardened akin to sculpted plaster. In Lily's presence, his standing as a grandson plummeted, as though he had been plucked from a refuse pile.
Just as Evelyn was feeling torn, a clear, magnetic male voice came from outside the door.
"Thank you, Mr. Byron Wellington, for your kindness towards Lily, but since she's already divorced, it's not appropriate for her to be your granddaughter."
