Chapter 87
The ruckus drew the crowd’s attention, and soon, all eyes were on Liam and Celena, who had arrived without a gift in hand. The
whispers turned into outright jeers.
“Liam and Celena actually showed up! Who would’ve thought? Where’d they find the guts?”
“They’ve got some nerve, alright, showing up empty-handed like that!”
“Do they even have the money for a decent gift? Everyone here’s toting around something pricey. If they can’t even spring for a proper present, who in their right mind would partner up with them?”
“Ha! Maybe they brought along some magic cream for sore legs!”
That last jab sent the room into fits of laughter.
The debacle from Reginald’s birthday party the day before was the
talk of the town. Liam and Celena had made quite the spectac Liam insisting that Celena be taken back to the Stone family.
Under the weight of so many sneering glances, Celena’s skin crav with discomfort. She turned stiff, her body quivering ever so slight
th
Holding back the impulse to flee, she turned to Liam, gripping his arm. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she whispered, “Liam, let’s not go in. I’m terrified. Can we just leave? Please, I’m begging you…”
Liam could see the shadows of the past flickering behind Celena’s eyes. He gently held her arms, locking his gaze with hers. “Celena, look how far we’ve come! Don’t you want to go back to the Stone family? Isn’t that what you’ve been dreaming of all these years? Hey, if you’re worried about not bringing a gift, don’t be. Mr. Lynch can’t stand the whole gift-giving charade. Showing up empty-handed might
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just win us points!”
Celena was naturally soft-hearted, but she has gotten even more timid after years of being pushed around. She seemed as vulnerable as a lamb lost among wolves, being surrounded by that intimidating crowd.
Liam’s reassurance seemed to unsettle Wasyl, Cheryl, and the rest. They all knew Malcolm’s reputation for hating gifts, but going against the grain was a surefire way to stick out like a sore thumb. Better to play it safe and bring something lavish, right? Who knows, maybe Malcolm would actually like it.
Cheryl’s voice sliced through the tension, dripping disdainfully. ” Please, as if we can’t see right through that excuse. We all know you’re broke.”
Tears welled up in Celena’s eyes as she turned to Yafe, desperate to explain, “Dad, I…..”
“Cut it out! I don’t want to hear it. You and your problems are none my business.”
Yafe did not even let her finish. He brushed past her with an impatien flick of his hand, leading the others away without a backward glance.
Celena stood there, her face ashen. She looked pained as she watched Yafe walk away. She pressed her hands to her face and wept bitterly.
What could she possibly do to earn her grandfather’s forgiveness, to receive even a sliver of her father’s love? All her life, she had watched
enviously as her siblings, Cheryl and Qemal, playfully vied for Yafe’s attention while she could only look on from the shadows. She knew all too well that even if she stepped forward, Yafe would not give her a second glance.
Just then, a man in his forties, clad in a sharp black suit, emerged
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from the building with a quartet of bodyguards in tow. They made their way to the center of the lobby.
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