“Wow! Daddy is so handsome!”
“Quincy! Slow down!”
“I got it!”
By the riverside, a man took off his coat and draped it over the shoulders of the beautiful woman beside him.
“City N is such a romantic city,” he sighed.
“I’ve been abroad and traveled to many places, but I’ve never seen anyone confess their love in such a lavish way. Is this some kind of city event?”
The woman caught a falling rose petal in her delicate hand, her red lips curling into a faint smile. “Maybe… I’ve long forgotten whether this city is truly romantic. But it’s definitely a city full of stories.”
The night breeze lifted her long hair, and the man’s gaze softened. “You haven’t forgotten, have you, Lillian?”
Lillian turned to him. “It’s been a long time since I heard that name.”
“Of course. You’re now the internationally renowned, mysterious director Barbara. I’m honored to have witnessed your growth over these years.”
Lillian smiled at him. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Really, I mean it. If it weren’t for you and Quincy, I don’t even know how I would’ve made it through.”
The man patted her shoulder. “I think we can skip this conversation.”
“How long will we be staying in City N this time?”
“You’ve already declined all domestic interviews. I still have some business to handle here in City N, and I’ll also take Quincy to visit my parents. After that, I’ll take you back soon.”
Lillian nodded, a hint of nervousness in her voice. “Do you think your parents will like me?”
The man replied, “I think you should have more confidence in yourself.”
Lillian looked up at the sky, watching the city fill with drifting rose petals. “I hope so… It’s been years since I came back. I’d like to visit my dad and grandmother’s graves.”
“Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
“But don’t you have an important charity gala to attend?”
“Nothing is more important than your loved ones. That event can wait.”
“Daddy, Mommy! Hurry up!”
The man let out a helpless sigh. “How many times do I have to tell you? Lillian isn’t your mom yet. What if you scare her away?”
“I don’t care! It’s only a matter of time! I love Mommy!”
As father and son bickered, Lillian lowered her head, smiling softly.
Her gaze instinctively drifted toward the music fountain across the street, and her smile gradually faded.
If her child had survived… they would have been in kindergarten by now.
******
Conrad had spent the entire night in a drunken haze, completely unaware of how he made it back to Hillside Villa.
By the time he woke up, it was already afternoon.
He took a few sips of ice water, freshened up, and got ready to head to the office.
Ford was already waiting downstairs.
“Mr. Conrad, do you want me to pick up Jasmine after school later?”
“Yes.”
“Understood, Mr. Conrad. Also, there’s a charity gala tonight at 8 p. m. Several key project partners will be attending. There’s nothing too urgent, but Ethan is quite a figure. He built his empire from scratch and is now incredibly wealthy. He’d be a valuable long-term business partner-I think it’s worth getting to know him better.”
Conrad took the file and started reading.
An impressive resume-he had come from an ordinary small-town elementary school, excelled in a prestigious high school, earned direct admissions to the nation’s top university, then secured an international exchange spot, eventually making a name for himself overseas.
A true self-made success.
“Alright.” Conrad had always admired people like that.
“This event also happens to be the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, the hosts. Guests are allowed to bring a plus-one. Would you like me to arrange a date for you?”
“No need. If that little troublemaker finds out, she’ll make a fuss again.”
She’d start demanding a mom again.
And where exactly was he supposed to conjure up a Lillian for her?
If only he had that kind of power.
Conrad thought for a moment. “Is Ethan bringing a date?”
“Seems like his fiancee-Barbara, the newly awarded director. There’s no information about her online.”
“Prepare a jewelry bracelet as a meeting gift.”
“Understood, Mr. Conrad.”
Conrad glanced at the contract in front of him and picked up a sleek metal pen-engraved with Lillian’s name.
He signed his name with it, then carefully put the pen away.
Standing up, he said, “Let’s go.”
The Jones family of City N-an old-money aristocratic family.
Though their bank had retreated from the top tier years ago, their ability to maintain relationships ensured they still commanded a certain level of respect in high society.
Their estate, located in the wealthy district of City N, was built in a Portuguese architectural style. The parking lot at the entrance was filled with luxury cars, and all the expected guests had already arrived.
Conrad arrived alone and was immediately surrounded by a crowd.
He had been keeping a low profile for years, making him an elusive presence. Now that people had a rare chance to approach him, they weren’t going to let it slip away easily.
Just then, a car with an out-of-town license plate pulled up. A valet opened the door, and a man stepped out first, reaching back to lift a delicately handsome little boy from the vehicle. Only after settling the child did he slightly bend down and extend his hand toward the woman inside.
A pair of slender, porcelain-like hands rested in his palm, and as the woman emerged from the car, a few onlookers froze in place, momentarily forgetting how to react.
Lillian, dressed in a striking red gown, looked radiant against her fair skin, exuding a dazzling allure. As she walked in, elegantly holding Ethan’s arm, someone at the staircase nearly stumbled.
“Who is that? She looks so familiar.”
“She looks like… No way, isn’t she… wasn’t she supposed to be dead?”
“Maybe just someone who looks like her?”
Murmurs of speculation rippled through the crowd, but Lillian maintained nothing more than a polite smile.
Meanwhile, Ethan’s assistant handed the invitation to the doorman.
“Oh, Mr. Ethan! Please, come in!”
Ethan gave a slight nod.
“Mr. Jones is coming down.”
“Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones-happy golden anniversary!”
Guests were already raising their glasses in celebration.
Mr. Jones expressed his thanks while making his way toward the entrance. “Apologies, everyone. A distinguished guest has arrived-I must step away for a moment.”
The crowd was puzzled. What kind of guest warranted such special treatment? Even when Conrad had arrived, there hadn’t been this much fuss.
Hogan mused, “Could it be Ethan?”
“Yeah, I heard Mrs. Jones had a heart episode a while back, and Ethan played a crucial role in helping her recover. A life-saving favor, you could say. Without him, this golden wedding celebration might not even be happening tonight,” Lionel remarked, swirling the wine in his glass.
“This guy has kept a low profile these past few years, but he’s been steadily making a name for himself. I’d like to see what kind of person he is.” Gordon stood up, eager to check out the scene.
After all, there wasn’t much else worth discussing among their group.
However, the moment the banquet hall doors swung open, and a woman in a flowing red gown stepped in, holding a little boy’s hand while linked arm-in-arm with an impeccably handsome man-everyone froze.
They were all part of the same social circle. Apart from a few younger attendees who had come with their parents, most of them had seen Lillian before.
After five years, the woman who had once disappeared had returned-now fully blossomed like a breathtakingly beautiful rose, rich in fragrance, exuding an irresistible charm.
“… What the fuck…” Hogan’s jaw nearly dropped as everyone instinctively turned to look at a man seated in a distant corner, dressed in black.
Conrad remained in his original position.
His posture was always relaxed-suit trousers slightly pulled up, long legs crossed as he sat among the crowd.
Even without wearing his suit jacket too formally, with the top two buttons undone in that effortlessly casual manner, he still commanded attention.
But at this moment, the usual nonchalant smile on his face had completely vanished.
As his body suddenly straightened, the wine glass in his hand shattered with a sharp crack.
Red liquid spilled over his palm, but he seemed entirely unaware.
High heels clicked against the floor as Lillian’s gaze swept past the crowd without so much as a moment’s pause.
She didn’t stop. She didn’t acknowledge them. She leaned slightly toward the man at her side, whispering something softly, as if she had never known them, as if she had never spoken to any of them before.
She smiled-radiant as ever, dazzling as a gemstone, outshining the entire banquet hall with a single breathtaking expression.
Meanwhile, Conrad’s expression darkened, sinking deeper and deeper.