Cheyenne shook her head back to reality, her eyes shimmering with bright light as she looked at him.
Such a sight made Channing sketch Cierra in his mind. He couldn’t help but feel a trace of regret. If only he had known about Cheyenne’s existence earlier, would he have seen the young Cheyenne? Missing her growth made him feel like a negligent father.
“I’m fine, Dad. That kick of yours just now was so cool!”
She was completely dazzled by her father’s charm! So that was it.
Channing blushed; being praised by his daughter made him happier than completing a billion-dollar project. “Ahem… let’s keep it low-key.”
“I’m at this age now, everyone knows whether I’m handsome or not. No need to bother praising me like this.”
Oliver tilted his head in confusion, wondering why Grandpa seemed happy but pretended not to care?
Cheyenne’s lips twitched slightly. She thought she was narcissistic enough, but she didn’t expect her dad to be even more exaggerated. No wonder Cierra was also so vain since childhood. It turned out to be hereditary!
Jaelynn looked at the heartwarming scene of their family gathering with a hint of bitterness.
When she was young, she admired Channing. Unfortunately, he was known as the aloof young master of the estate, except for that fool, Selah… she had never seen him show tenderness to anyone.
The Weaver family and the Lucas family had always been at odds, and Jaelynn’s admiration for him could only be hidden in her heart.
Twenty-five years ago, at Channing and Selah’s wedding, she drank too much. Originally, she wanted to confide in him.
Who knew she would stumble upon him kissing Selah in the garden, his eyes filled with tenderness at that moment. Unfortunately, that tenderness was for another woman. A woman who was nowhere near her level!
Under the numbness of alcohol, burning with jealousy, she did a bold thing-stole the ring he had prepared for Selah.
She never married afterward, keeping that ring close to her… fantasizing that she was his wife. Channing disappeared for twenty years, and she waited from her youthful years to old age. Who knew all she got in return was his words, “self-delusion.”
“Self-delusion, hahaha. Channing, oh Channing, what’s wrong with me? I love you so much, but you act like I’m invisible!”
Jaelynn, strong as she was, also yearned for sweet love. When the beautiful dream shattered and all that remained in life was obsession, that obsession turned into madness. If you can’t have it, destroy it-this was the Weaver family’s consistent belief!
“In the end, you’re so heartless, so don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Cheyenne turned to look at her father in surprise and said angrily, “So, it turns out that this is a debt of your youthful indulgence!”
Being criticized like this by her own daughter made Channing feel embarrassed; he immediately tried to prove his innocence. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’ve only had one woman in my life, your mother. She’s my true love…”
As for Jaelynn’s accusation of his heartlessness just now, Channing was speechless! He had no memory of her at all.
“Are you mistaking me for someone else? I don’t remember you at all.”
This kind of response undoubtedly struck Jaelynn’s sensitive and fragile heart. She could clearly feel her heart breaking into several pieces. How could this be! The man she had loved for most of her life actually claimed to have no impression of her!!
Jaelynn spat out a mouthful of blood, staining her collar, muttering to herself, “How could you not recognize me? Don’t you remember rescuing me at the engagement party of the Davidson family’s eldest daughter twenty-seven years ago?”
“Twenty-seven years ago?” That was a long time ago, no wonder Channing had no impression. Now that she mentioned it, he finally remembered a little bit.
Twenty-seven years ago, in late autumn in Onistead, the Davidson family had not yet declined, ranking first among the four major families, well-known to all.
Even more famous were the twin daughters of Old Mr. Davidson, known as the “Twin Beauties” of Onistead.
Sadie Davidson, the elder sister, was gentle and dignified, a talented beauty and a well-known classical dance expert in Chulae. She had represented the country several times in international dance exchanges. Most of the young masters in Onistead wished to marry Sadie.
The second daughter, Bianca Davidson, was relatively less outstanding than her sister; however, she was smart and lively, with a cheerful and generous personality, which had won the hearts of many men.
By contrast, the women of the Weaver family were not as popular at the time.
Meanwhile, Selah, although known as the “First Beauty of Onistead,” her foolishness left many people deeply regretful.
She was only to be admired from afar, not taken home.
However, this near-perfect lady of the Davidson family had a secret unknown to others-she suffered from congenital heart disease.
It was this reason that forced her, at the age of 22, in the prime of her life, to announce her withdrawal from the dance troupe.
The inability to dance was undoubtedly a fatal blow to her.
Sadie returned home and fell into depression, shutting herself in, which eventually led her to contemplate suicide.
In order to help her daughter out of the shadow, the Davidson family took the initiative to propose a marriage alliance to the Harrison family.
It was also to bring joy to their daughter, hoping she would recover soon.
The Harrison family’s status was only second to the Davidson family’s; furthermore, Abel was the only one among the younger generation to rise to a central position of power, with unlimited prospects.
Although at that time Abel truly admired Selah, he knew that the person she loved was his good brother, Channing.
Since he couldn’t marry the one he loved, it didn’t matter who he married.
He might as well marry a woman who could help his career.
And in every aspect, Sadie was the most suitable candidate.
So, he agreed to the engagement.
Abel had never seen the real Sadie, but there were many rumors about her in the outside world.
Without exception, they all praised her for being gentle, noble, and exceptionally beautiful.
Until an hour before the engagement banquet, Abel suddenly had the idea of having Channing go see what kind of woman Miss Davidson was.
As his good brother, Channing naturally agreed to this small request.
That day, amidst the atmosphere of playing games, he took the opportunity to go upstairs to see the female lead.
The moment the door opened, a short-haired, round-faced girl walked out.
He couldn’t help but be stunned.
Muttering to himself behind the wall, he said, “So the famous Miss Davidson looks like this, far worse than my darling Selah.”
Having completed his task, Channing intended to leave but suddenly heard an argument behind him.
“Jaelynn, don’t forget that no one else wants to be friends with a tomboy like you. Only I accepted you and still want to play with you.”
“You used to be so grateful to me, now you won’t even lend me your necklace to wear for a while. What kind of friend are you, so stingy!”