<h4>Chapter 375: Are you that sure?</h4>


    After Julian’s departure and Lady Matilda’s exnation, they returned to the grand hall. With a subtle signal from Lady Matilda, the banquet began in earnest.


    The MC took the stage, his deep voice echoing through the room as he weed the guests, the chandeliers above scattering warm golden light across the sea of elegant attire, smiling lips and expectant faces of the guests.


    Donald was invited up next to deliver the opening speech to kick start the event.


    He stepped forward with measured grace, his face carefullyposed, though his tone carried an air of formality.


    In his address, he spoke briefly and superficially about how they had lost their daughter in the years past, some of the efforts they had made towards finding her over the years and how grateful they were that this granddaughter had been "rediscovered."


    In his words, "It is by providence and sheer luck that we have the opportunity ofing together today to officially wee her back home."


    He continued, his voice steady but carrying a note of authority:


    "Also, by virtue of family rtionship, we appeal to everyone here to treat her as a Santiago."


    Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Donald paused briefly, regaining their attention.


    "And on this note, we wish to announce that, for some time now, the office of the Vice President has been under her care. Our dear partners, business associates, and the wider society are advised to give her every respect deserved."


    The moment the words left his lips, gasps rippled through the hall. While some were shocked others found themselves grappling with the reality of the announcement.


    Their murmurs spreading like wild fire, their polite smiles disguising their sharp whispers as they apuded.


    "Santiago’s family are really generous." Someone smirked. "Picking up any daughter to make her a Vice President?"


    "Is she that great?"


    "The office of the Vice President is quite a sensitive spot and the instant she returns, it bes her yground?"


    "She is really lucky."


    "What about the people who had been doing the work? I believe she must have some skills for such an opportunity."


    "Well, I guess I have to see this granddaughter and know if she was worth it."


    By the time Donald stepped down, the guests were already craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the young woman who had stepped so effortlessly into one of the most influential positions in the Santiago Group.


    While some young business elites were anxious to find out if they had a chance of marrying this Santiago’s granddaughter.


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    While the banquet was ongoing, the hall bustled with activities; the clinking of ss and cutlery, theughter and chitchat of friends, the meetings of young entrepreneurs and investors, the situation behind the scenes was totally different.


    Davis and Jessica had quietly slipped away, returning to her room which Lady Matilda had personally prepared for her.


    To put it inly, Jessica had been given her mother’s bedroom.


    Looking at the meticulous detailing of the room, several memories of her came rushing back.


    The room was immacte, every detail a preservation of the past, a reminder of how her bedroom had always been until her death.


    The faint scent of her favourite lilies still clung to the air. The rich drapes hanging down the walls, the antique vases, the perfectly aligned bookshelves.


    It was as though her mother had only stepped out for a moment.


    Jessica added a plus to the Santiagos’ for this rare preservation unlike the Brown family where her name seems to be fading away by the seconds.


    Jessica’s gaze lingered on the familiar touches for a while. Taking a deep breath, she took a step forward to check through the arrangements.


    Together, she and Davis rummaged through the wardrobe, fingers grazing fabrics and books left untouched for years.


    A light tap on the door broke the quietness. "Who is it?" Jessica called her voice firm.


    Yet, no response.


    Jessica and Davis exchanged a quiet nce, silently exchangingmunicationced with caution.


    Jessica made for the door, and with a slight pull, she opened it just as Cassandra was about to tap the door again.


    Standing at the door, her smile was soft, almost disarmingly so. "Jessy," she said warmly, extending her hand in greeting.


    But Jessica instinctively drew hers back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scanned Cassandra from head to toe, her brow furrowing in contemtion.


    She quietly studied her to see if she could decipher her intention and purpose for showing up at her door at this minute.


    Her mind worked quickly. In as much as memory served her, Cassandra had been one of the most outspoken critics of her presence in the family, always seen her presence as an eyesore, always quick to remind her she didn’t belong.


    At this moment, if she should approach her with all smiles, then definitely she had to be wary of her.


    With the rm bells ring in her head, she instinctively took a step back, creating a safe gap between them.


    "Jessica, you have to forgive me," Cassandra began, voice dripping with sincerity. "I might have treated you wrongly at first, but I have learnt my lesson."


    She stepped closer, her hand stretched to hold hers while Jessica stepped back again.


    "Like the olddy said, she wanted the peace of our family, and so does every member," she exined, her gaze not leaving Jessica’s face.


    Jessica felt her head throb. One does not strike a smiling face...that much was true.


    And part of her had wished her presence would unite the Santiagos family rather than tear it apart and deepening the fractures.


    She gave Cassandra a long, searching nce before replying.


    If there is anything she hoped for as a miracle, she hoped Cassandra would leave peacefully.


    "I have nothing against you. At the moment, and in times toe, we are still family. Sometimes we disagree to agree."A faint smirk tugged at her lips.


    Cassandra’s smile brightened. "That’s good."


    Jessica gave a curt nod. "If there’s nothing else, I should get back inside. I was busy before you came."


    Jessica spoke seriously.


    Cassandra nodded her head, fingers twisting together. together. Jessica sighed.


    There is no doubt she had another thing she wanted to say. "What more?" she asked, with wearinessced in her tone.


    "My daughter mentioned she offended you at thepany, and I have already asked her to apologize to you, but she was scared toe over here," Cassandra mentioned.


    A recollection of that incident left Jessica’s face clouding like a storm. The incident had transpired during the board meeting.


    Jessica had instructed the marketing unit to draft out a fresh proposal for the next productunch.


    Bernice right there had faulted her statement, leaving the faces of the board meeting twisting with various shades.


    She had also gone ahead to say Jessica wasn’t in any way qualified to be the Vice President of the group, but had secured this position because the olddy was partial in her actions.


    The fracas had brought about a mix of reactions from both the members of the board and the marketing department she had instructed.


    Being reminded of this situation, Jessica’s eyes clouded with rage. "It seems being suspended from office isn’t enough punishment for her," she thought.


    "Well, I have nothing against her. If there is nothing else, I hope you have a pleasant evening," Jessica smirked.


    Just as she made to close the door, Cassandra pushed the door back. "Jessica, please give her a moment to express herself," she insisted.


    "Do I give her a moment when I didn’t see her anywhere close by?" Jessica asked, her gaze on Cassandra narrowing.


    "She is close by."


    Jessica nced around the hall, yet there was no one in view. She sighed.


    "Cassandra, I am sure Bernice isn’t ready to see me or to speak to me."Jessica answered, her voice tinged with frustration.


    "Jessica, please. She is in the garden," Cassandra said, her tone anxious, her gaze on her pleading.


    Jessica studied her for a long moment, then stepped back with a deep breath. "Alright. Just a moment." She closed the door, leaning against it for a second before turning to Davis.


    Davis looked at her. "Are you going to meet her?" Jessica shrugged.


    "Do you think I have a choice at this moment?" Davis rubbed his temple.


    "I am sure you are aware it isn’t just a simple meeting." Hope you are ready to face the real situation?"


    "I’m not naive enough to think it will be," she murmured, a steely glint in her eyes.


    "I didn’t n for any trouble during this banquet..but if they want to y dirty, I don’t mind getting my hands a little soiled."


    "Are you really sure about this?" Davis asked, searching her face.


    "Jessica’s lips curved into a faint, resolute smile. "Don’t bother about me. As long as you’re here... that’s enough."


    Are you that sure that my presence matters in this? Davis teased with raised brow.