Mrs. Yu exhaled softly, breaking the silence again. "It’s been a long ti. A lot has happened. But we’re glad you’re here today."
Still, Ella remained silent.
Mrs. Yu’s voice lowered, kind but firm. "Let’s... leave the past where it belongs. In the past."
That was when the words slipped out of Ella’s mouth, quiet, almost childlike.
"All these years... have you ever thought of ?" Tears pricked the back of her eyes when she uttered the question that had lingered in her heart for two lifetis now.
The glass in Mrs. Yu’s hand trembled. Mr. Yu looked away, jaw tight. But no one answered.
Ella didn’t press. She simply gave a faint nod and turned toward the table, the ache tucked back where it had lived for years. She did not know what kind of a response she was looking for.
She had gone to such lengths to sneak out of the Eve Mansion, to defy Adrian’s will even at the risk of triggering him again, all so she could see her parents again. But now that she stood in the grand hall, she suddenly did not know what she wanted.
Ella grabbed a glass of wine. As she took a sip, she let her gaze wander across the grand hall.
In the center of the hall, a group of masked dancers, n and woman danced elegantly to the waltz beats. At a little distance, she spotted Dean Mo and Jenny standing next to each other, surrounded by a group of socialites.
Ella couldn’t spot Ruby in the crowd. After giving it a thought, she pulled out her phone and texted Ruby. And in two seconds, a reply ca from the other side.
Ella: Not coming today?
Ruby: I won’t be able to make it there. Did you go? Is everything going well?
Ella could almost hear her concerned voice through her text. A hint of warmth crept in her heart as she replied.
Ella: Everything’s fine here. Don’t worry about .
Even though Ruby did not say it out loud, Ella knew that Max was probably throwing a tantrum and refused to accompany her to the party today. With his fragile ego, how could he tolerate being humiliated at the Imperial University yesterday?
After the initial hiccup at Ella’s arrival, the party resud like nothing ever happened. Laughter, clinks of glass, and music filled the hall once again.
At this mont, Esther stepped up next in her shimring lavender gown, a pleased smile painted on her lips. "To celebrate my parents’ anniversary, I had sothing custom made for them."
A dramatic flourish followed as she unveiled a calligraphy scroll made by a renowned artist and a limited-edition watch set.
"Oh my, Esther! You’ve truly grown more thoughtful each year," Aunt Yu gushed. Then her eyes darted to Ella, narrowing with mock innocence. "You must’ve forgotten to bring a gift, First Miss. Or perhaps you thought your presence alone was enough?"
Ella twirled the glass of wine in her hand, refusing to acknowledge the woman. Aunt Yu was her father’s younger sister and she only visited her parents during occasions.
Ever since they were young, she had been especially fond of Esther who knew how to talk sweetly and impress people, compared to Ella who had a gloomier personality and did not interact much with everyone.
After being ignored by Ella, Aunt Yu pressed on with a saccharine laugh, "Well, it’s understandable. So people forget their manners when they’ve been... away too long. Not to ntion the First Miss who has been involved in god knows what kind of things—’’
Just as Mrs. Yu opened her mouth to intervene, Ella’s voice cut through the space, soft but sharp, "I did bring sothing."
A hush fell.
"I was just nervous that Mom and Dad might not like it." Ella looked straight at Aunt Yu. "So I left them outside."
Aunt Yu snorted, "Stop pretending. What could you possibly have left outside?"
Ella raised her hand and dialed a number.
Aunt Yu rolled her eyes, "Really, there’s no need for theatrics—"
The grand double doors of the ballroom opened.
Two suited n entered.
One held a long velvet case. The other carried a massive, rectangular box wrapped in champagne gold with a blood-red ribbon.
Ella picked the rectangular box and walked towards Mrs. Yu.
"You didn’t need to bring anything. You are our daughter, we don’t seek a gift from you..." Mrs. Yu sighed softly.
Ella smiled, "It’s not much, just so small things that I hope you will like..."
"Oh, what is in the box, sister-in-law? Don’t mind being curious but after the huge display that the First Miss put up, I can’t help but want to know what it is that she got for you..." Hearing Aunt Yu’s words, so of the guests were visibly intrigued.
Mrs. Yu frowned, "That would not be—"
"Mom, I don’t think sis would mind if you show her gift to us," Esther left Mo Jun’s side as she chid in. Had it been before, she would have clung to Ella’s arm, and acted spoiled as she spoke but for once, she stood at an arm’s length.
Mrs. Yu looked at Ella helplessly.
The smile on Ella’s face did not waver, "Like I said, it’s a small gift. Nothing important. If Mom wants to open it, she can..."
’’Quickly, show us what’s in there..." Aunt Yu impatiently tugged off the ribbon atop the rectangular box. As the box fell open from the four sides, Mrs. Yu’s eyes widened slightly.
"Isn’t this the skincare set from that luxury beauty brand? This set was so popular that they made it off-limits to the public..." An elegant socialite whispered in the crowd and her words were backed by a series of whispers from the others too.
Esther frowned.
Mrs. Yu smiled, "This... is great. Your father had tried to get one for before but he couldn’t get his hands on it."
Before Ella could utter a word, Aunt Yu chid in, "Is it that rare? Isn’t it just so cream?" She turned to Ella, "Don’t mind saying this but don’t you think gifting soone beauty products on their anniversary is quite shallow? Tsk tsk, as the saying goes, how can a chicken ever turn into a phoenix?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers