aused their conversation to look her way. Realizing she had drawn unwanted attention, Viole's face flushed with embarras

ath. Viole's attempt to save face came off as insincere, and Linda noticed the shift in the crowd's de

ed under her breath. Barlor's brow furrowed at the sight of Viole's unexpected presence. Linda quietly observed Barlor's reactio

such events, earning her the favor of influential figures like Kurt Lane, which paved her way to success. But

sion as he hurried into the room. Barlor's ton

Barlor sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. He had always been lenient with Vio

turning to Linda with an apologetic glance. Linda calmly sipped her champagne, seemingly unbothe

was nothing new. As Barlor approached Viole, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with u

e had always been a diligent student, someone he had personal

o learn, to prepare for my studies abroad." Her desperation was clear, and Barlor hesitat

erly nodded. Larry, however, looked unce

d curtly. "Make sure she doesn't

ge, caught Larry's uneasy approach. "Did

d. "Ms. Stale is a key asset

the room. Viole was now standing beside Barlor, speaking with a group of prominent business figures. Despite her academic achievem

his native tongue. As Viole looked helplessly at Barlor, Linda stepped forward. Without hesitation, she engaged the man in fluent

and elegance, Viole looked more like she had stepped out of a discount store. Viole forced a smile, th

observing, was surprised by Linda's linguistic skills. "What did you te

hased near the Southeast Sea will be quit

t isn't it just a remote area?"she questioned, her curiosity piqued. Linda, with a casual shrug, responded, "Perhaps."Thi

g. Frederick Stephen, a shrewd investor, had recognized this potential and made a strategic investment. Viole, however,

. Linda, maintaining her enigmatic aura, met Barlor's gaze evenly. "Just a hunch,"she cryptically replied, leaving Barlor to ponder the depths of her knowledge and in

pte

rue potential. He had likely figured out its future value but chose to let Frederick have it

the topic with a casual tone. Barlor's brow furrowed as he considered her words. He realized he was probably readi

way to mingle with other guests. As they walked off, Viole briefly glanced back at Linda, he

of a tragic figure-abandoned by her husband for another woman, left to fend for herself in a room full of strangers. But Linda wasn't here to wallow

ded on a grand piano in the corner. A thought struck her, and a smile

the daughter of the Autumn family, skills she had neglected in her past life, would now serve her well. She hadn't pl

ho was playing. When Linda finished the piece, applause

xed on Linda. Viole noticed his distraction and, in an attempt to downplay Linda's accompli

issive, but Linda knew better. In this crowd, such a level of proficiency was not uncommon, but the reaction from the audien

tty face with a wealthy background-she had substance and talent. The

woman who had just captivated the room. Linda knew that befriending these influential ladies wou

Vardy leaned casually against the railing, a smirk playing on his

m, nodded in agreement.

nce when did you, of all people, d

ot know much about music,

sic itself; it was the woman pla

ed a corner, a strong hand grabbed her and pulled her into a secluded alcove. Startl

lt the warmth of his chest against her back and adjusted her bre

releasing her. "Did

ly to see Fern rubbing his hand with a pained

ncern. "Sneaking in. I d

ing in? Are you serio

can I say? I like to

Right. Mr. Lane's grands

ut he quickly masked it with a playful grin. "You

om her past life-that Fern would eventually inherit everyth

here, Fern?" she ask

this," he said, handing it to her. Linda's eyes widened when

muttered. "You snuck in

ain. "It's impor

absurdity of the situation. "And you

place anyone would look for

he contract and handing it back

ression turned serious. "Can I as

an eyebrow.

illion dollars on that l

aze evenly. "I

his curiosity piqued. "Wh

reveal her plans just yet. "What if I told you that land wo

ed, skepti

n you'll just have

ened. "What are y

replied cryptically before slip

rdy noticed the thoughtful look on hi

n't elaborate. "Yea

ut w

ny upscale estates planned

I've heard of. That area's a dum

wed in confusion.

Yeah. It's practi

ecisions. If she had invested ten billion dollars, she m

pte

anger. She had changed into a white dress, but it did little

lor asked, his voic

"While I was changing, I saw Li

rlor's ton

lose. But maybe I'm just overthinking it. It's hard t

ounters. The thought of Linda getting involved with someone like Fern-someone with a r

ual, unaware of the tension building between Barlor and Viole. Barlo

there?" Barlor asked,

n interrogation. "I was using the restroom,"

she reached for her hand. "Linda, I saw you with Fern.

lse display of sisterly care. Viole's hand hovered in the air, he

er voice quivering just enough to appear sincere. "I j

re of who Fern is. I don't need anyon

expression darkened, and he spoke with a stern edge. "Viole's just trying to prote

as if urging him to be kinder, but Barlo

ider, the scene would have looked like Barlor was protecting his true part

an educated woman, someone who knows better. Assoc

floor echoed through the hall, cutting through the te

e center of the room. He was flanked by two imposing bodyguards, and h

who had been arranging the vases in the lobby earlier-now dressed in

became clear. One of the bodyguards stepped forward, an

ut Viole's face paled. The man she had looked down on just moment

's side, offering his arm as support. The sight of Fern standing beside

ye and smiled, a know

I've gathered you here to make an important announcement.

lap. Kurt's gaze then zeroed in on Viole,

d, his tone icy as he addressed Viole's earlier insul

her mind racing. The timeline was wrong-this revelation wasn't suppose

rn had only revealed his true identity three years after Kur

orphan. How could he be Kurt's grandson? And had Kurt overheard Viole's remarks? Offendi

t of turn. Please forgive her; s

r. Wayne had a brilliant financial advisor, bu

bserved the exchange, noting that even if Barlor spoke up, Viole's fate seeme

ine. Kurt's gaze, however, softened as he looked at Lin

ing back to attenti

ung, but his granddaughter has turned out to be quite striking. Your grandfather

aged in family matters, and she had never heard of any connection between him and Kurt

eplied,

glanced at Barlor. His expression soured immediat

. "My grandfather spoke of you often, Mr. L

"Close? I wo

gely ignored. When Kurt eventually took his leave, Viole t

is watch. "I'll

d, "What a

as engaged in lively conversation w

a enjoying Kurt's attention. It seemed unjust that Linda

house. Larry approached her quietly. "Mr. Wayne

te the situation. Fern, noticing her tranquility

ugged. "I

ther woman home. The upper-class circles would surely buzz with rumors the n

ad enough of focusing solely on Barlor. I

oneliness in her eyes despite her nonchalanc

ve the event, agreed.

ving Larry unsure of how to report back to Barlor. With Fer

t outside for hours while you wer

Let's drop Ms. A

ern gave him a stern look through the rearview

nificant," F

insisted. "Celest may seem calm, but it's

ne, Barlor is different from you

ke Mr. Wayne might not be completely c

or, she had been kept away from his business dealings. Though Barlor appeared

de. The house was dark, signaling Barlor's absence.

ghts on for her, but tonight, they were out. Calling out, "Barlor? Are you back?" wen

verything!" the man growled. Linda st

t a lighter and burn the man's wrist. He rec

a shouted as she ran,

el

!" Before Linda could finish, her phone was knocke

as he heard Linda's di

anxiety, asked, "Wha

e had heard earlier. It sounded familiar, but he

But, Mr. Wayne, we're a

ck!" Barl

dented urgency, was shocked. "Lind

where Devon had yet to appear. Vardy swore under his breath,

roached, Devon scrambling out. "Mr.

money?" Var

up, which delayed me. I've already contacted her husband.

ed dangerously. "W

use she stole the land that could have been bough

icked Devon hard, sending h