Chapter 130
With all eyes on her, Grace stepped proudly onto the stage. “Everyone, may I have your attention.”
The crowd immediately quieted, curious to hear what she had to say.
She turned her head toward Aurora, who was gracefully approaching, and extended her hand.
Aurora understood the gesture and smiled—a soft, melting smile, like the first snow of winter giving way to spring. Then she gently placed her hand in Grace’s.
Grace turned back to the guests and spoke with composure and pride. “Tonight’s business cocktail party was held for more than just celebration. I have two important announcements to make.”
“First, I’d like to officially introduce the young woman standing beside me. This is the younger heiress of the Walton family and of Walton Corporation—Aurora Walton!”
A collective gasp echoed across the hall.
Some who already knew the truth reacted calmly, even remarking that the resemblance between Grace and Aurora was unmistakable. But those who hadn’t known were visibly stunned.
“What? She was the younger heiress of the Walton family?”
“That can’t be right. Wasn’t she the one representing Walton Corporation at the Vanguard Group bidding meetings?”
“You’re right, I saw her at previous galas too. It’s all starting to make sense now. This entire party was meant to make it official.”
No one was more shocked than Joseph.
It finally clicked. He stared at Aurora on stage, mouth slightly open.
She looked radiant, like a crimson rose in full bloom, beautiful and commanding, yet edged with thorns. Compared to the woman he had spent three years with, she now seemed like an entirely different person.
He took a step back, unable, or unwilling, to accept the truth, muttering to himself, “No… no, this can’t be right.”
“That day… the younger heiress I met wasn’t Aurora. Why is it her now?”
When Joseph thought back to the woman he had once seen introduced as the “younger heiress of the Walton family,” he was even more convinced. There was no way he could’ve mistaken her. The woman back then and Aurora looked nothing alike.
But reality was forcing its way in, dragging him forward, compelling him to accept what stood right in front of him.
Across the room, Lucas caught sight of Joseph’s reaction. He curled his lips into a cool, dismissive smirk. To mistake a pearl for a pebble—how laughable. Thankfully, his Rora had long since let go of this blind and shallow man.
That thought grounded him again, and he lifted his eyes toward the stage, locking on Aurora’s brilliant figure, glowing under the lights. He pushed down all the possessive thoughts that threatened to surface. He’d always known Aurora wasn’t someone who could be caged.
Meanwhile, Joseph began to unravel. His mouth moved without pause, repeating the same denial over and over. “No… no, it’s not possible… absolutely not…”
The irony was too cruel to ignore. The woman he had once tried so hard to chase… the one he’d cast aside in arrogance… had been right in front of him the entire time. And she wasn’t just anyone. She was the younger heiress of the Walton family.
How could she have ever been in Ravenshore, working in a department with him, without saying a word? Why didn’t she tell him the truth during those three years?
Tessa noticed Joseph’s unraveling too. If this had been before, she would’ve gone right over to mock him for it. But not tonight. Not when she herself was barely holding it together.
After all, Aurora had been with Lucas for three years while hiding her true identity the entire time. It was so ridiculous for him to discover the truth now. And yet, Tessa could barely keep herself together.
She looked up at the stage, where the mother and daughter stood side by side, the perfect picture of harmony and affection. Her jaw clenched so tightly her molars ached. The voices of congratulations rising around her felt like needles in her ears.
Grace let the moment build, letting the chatter and speculation swirl. Only when the buzz had nearly settled did she speak again, her voice calm but commanding.
“Now then, there’s still one more important matter to address tonight.”