Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Double Happiness
Old Master Sterling was exchanging pleasantries with a few old friends. When she called out, "Grandfather," he turned around, and the others looked at her as well.
"You’re here." The smile on Simon Sterling’s face didn’t waver.
Alice York nodded and stood obediently to the side.
One of the old friends beside him asked, "Old Sterling, is this Yara?"
"She doesn’t look like Yara. Although I haven’t seen Yara in a long time, I don’t remember her looking like this," another old friend remarked.
Simon Sterling smiled and introduced her. "This is my second son’s child."
"Oh, the second son’s. Then she must be..." The man trailed off, not finishing his sentence.
Simon Sterling nodded. "Yes, my second son’s adopted daughter."
Her identity was summarized in just a few words. But the title of "adopted daughter" wasn’t what was noteworthy. What truly was, were the recent scandalous rumors about the Eldest Young Master Hawthorne.
"Old Sterling, you’re a fortunate man. Your sons and grandsons are all promising, and this granddaughter isn’t half bad either." After saying this, the old friend gave a knowing smile.
Simon Sterling knew exactly what he meant and deflected skillfully. "I never interfere with them. They all have their own talents."
After he spoke, Simon Sterling glanced sideways at Alice York.
He didn’t say a word, but his gaze was a clear reminder: go to Felix Hawthorne.
She hadn’t been seen with Felix Hawthorne all evening, and Simon Sterling was very displeased.
Alice York got the message. Just as she was about to turn, she suddenly heard Rosalind Sawyer say from nearby, "Come with me. I’ll introduce you to Mrs. Preston."
Alice York froze.
Rosalind Sawyer looked back at her. "Why aren’t you coming?"
Alice York immediately followed. She didn’t dare to look at Old Master Sterling’s expression. ’In any case, it was Rosalind Sawyer who had called her away.’
They hadn’t gone far when Alice York heard Rosalind Sawyer say, "Felix Hawthorne has his fiancée with him. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to go over. You’d only embarrass yourself."
Alice York agreed. "You’re right."
Rosalind Sawyer glanced sideways at her. "You think I did that out of the goodness of my heart?"
Alice York pursed her lips. "They’re not good intentions, but not terrible ones, either."
Rosalind Sawyer huffed. "To be honest, I don’t want to have anything to do with you."
"Huh?" This confused Alice York. "Were you... trying to help me just now?"
Rosalind Sawyer fell silent. Or rather, she simply ignored her.
They continued inside, reaching the main banquet hall where the number of guests was growing. Alice York remembered seeing Wyatt Sterling just a short while ago at the entrance to the hall, the Hawthornes by his side. But now, as she entered the main hall, she couldn’t see him or any of the Hawthornes.
After a moment, the Hawthorne family’s butler walked to the center of the banquet hall and said a few formal words of welcome. Immediately after, Xavier Hawthorne and his wife appeared hand in hand, becoming the center of attention.
Rosalind Sawyer said to Alice York, "Those two are the masters of the Hawthorne Residence, Xavier Hawthorne and his wife, Gemma Garland."
Alice York said, "I saw them from a distance the other day when I came to the Hawthorne home, but I didn’t greet them formally."
Rosalind Sawyer replied, "You wouldn’t have had the chance anyway. In their eyes, you’re not even a nobody."
Alice York pressed her lips together, not refuting the remark.
Just then, Felix Hawthorne appeared. This time, however, his fiancée was not by his side. He walked over to his mother, Mrs. Hawthorne, to greet their relatives and friends.
Once the dinner party officially began, all the guests moved into the main banquet hall. Old Master Sterling walked over, his displeased gaze falling on Alice York. Alice remained poised. With the party already underway, there was nothing he could do to her, so he simply walked over to Rosalind Sawyer with a grim expression.
The lights slowly began to dim.
Alice York took the opportunity to slip over to a long, cloth-covered table in the back. She picked up a small cake and took a bite. She had been starving for a while but hadn’t had a chance to eat. Now was her chance to put something in her stomach.
She ate one bite after another, listening as Mrs. Hawthorne began her speech of thanks. "Thank you all so much for gracing us with your presence at this dinner party. I’m sure everyone knows the significance of this evening and how much it means to my husband and me."
"Twenty-three years ago, my daughter, Vera, was lost. I thought I would spend the rest of my life waiting in regret and pain. But unexpectedly, thanks to the grace of Heaven, my Vera has finally returned to my husband and me."
As she said this, tears welled in Gemma Garland’s eyes.
A mother’s love and heartache, the long twenty-three-year wait, the journey from disappointment to utter hopelessness—and now, at last, her wish had been granted by a benevolent Heaven.
Alice York stopped chewing. She looked down and saw a drop of water on the small cake in her hand. She stared blankly for a few seconds, then raised a hand to her face.
’She had actually started crying out of empathy.’
’Five years, ten years... that’s already an eternity. A twenty-three-year wait... it’s just so long...’
"Tonight, I will formally introduce my daughter, Vera, to all of you."
As Mrs. Hawthorne’s voice faded, Tess Thompson emerged from the back. Felix Hawthorne walked over to greet her, extending his arm. Tess took it, and he led her, step by step, to Xavier Hawthorne and his wife.
"Vera," Mrs. Hawthorne called out.
Tess Thompson smiled sweetly. Her deep purple gown was stunning under the lights, dazzlingly beautiful. She even wore a small tiara, a perfect testament to her new status as the little princess of the Hawthorne family.
"This is my daughter, Evelyn Hawthorne."
Then, Tess Thompson moved to stand between Xavier Hawthorne and his wife. She took her parents’ arms, turning to face the crowd and receive their blessings.
A thunderous round of applause erupted.
It was accompanied by numerous voices of congratulation.
Alice York put down her cake and clapped along, her eyes full of envy. ’How wonderful,’ she thought, ’to be reunited with your birth parents after twenty-three years.’
’Thinking about my own background... It’s just the absolute worst.’
"Why isn’t Finn here?" Jean Hawthorne asked her brother beside her.
Francis Hawthorne replied, "That kid never does anything he’s supposed to."
Jean Hawthorne glanced around, and her gaze landed in Alice York’s direction. Alice quickly turned away, showing only her profile. Jean stared at her silhouette for a moment, muttered something to herself, and then looked away.
Francis Hawthorne asked her, "What are you muttering about?"
Jean Hawthorne said, "That woman looks a little familiar."
Hearing this, Francis Hawthorne turned to look. It was just as Alice York glanced back in their direction. Their eyes met for an instant, and Alice immediately looked away again.
Francis Hawthorne’s brow furrowed. He committed her face to memory.
"Furthermore, today is a day of double blessings. I have another piece of joyous news to announce."
The speaker was Xavier Hawthorne. His face was wreathed in smiles, making everyone curious. Besides his daughter’s return, what other joyous news could there be?
Alice York was curious, too. Having finished her cake, she picked up a couple of grapes and ate them while waiting in anticipation.
Alice York didn’t know that while she thought she was hidden in an unnoticed corner, several pairs of eyes were watching her.
Finn Hawthorne, also in a corner, his face etched with worry.
Chase Jennings, protecting her from the shadows.
And Rhys Lancaster, who was standing very close by, glancing at her from time to time. Unfortunately, Alice York was too preoccupied with the announcement to notice him.
And another pair of eyes...
"Wyatt."
Xavier Hawthorne called out.
Under the curious gazes of the guests, a man emerged from the crowd. At the same time, Tess Thompson let go of her parents’ hands, ran straight to Wyatt Sterling, and threw herself into his arms.
Wyatt Sterling caught her, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.
When this happened, a wave of murmurs and gasps swept through the guests.
Alice York, who had also witnessed the scene, froze abruptly. The grapes in her hand slipped from her fingers, falling onto the carpet and rolling out of sight.
