?Chapter 19:


    Litzy joined in, a tinge of regret in her voice. “If things had been different, Demi would have remained with us and received the care she deserved. She’d have surpassed even her current achievements.”


    Their words stirred a wave of sympathy among the audience. Meanwhile, in a secluded spot upstairs, Jerome, a ss of champagne in his hand, lounged with an air of nonchnce.


    He nudged the man who had just joined him. “Kaiden, didn’t you tell me that you weren’ting? Wow, I’ve never seen you go back on your word before.”


    Kaiden shot him a cool stare.


    What a whiny man!


    Jerome, picking up on Kaiden’s mood, quickly shifted the topic. “Look at the Gordons. They’re painting your wife as the viin, taking what was supposedly Demi’s spotlight. It’s quite a spectacle, isn’t it?”


    Kaiden’s frown deepened. “Is this what you meant by ‘she’s nning something’?”


    It seemed more like Demi was the one ying games.


    His eyes found Ellie in the crowd, her ck dress andposed demeanor masking a sense of istion.


    Kaiden felt a pang of difort.


    Despite their arranged marriage, seeing Ellie in such a predicament still bothered him.


    Jerome rubbed his nose awkwardly, trying to rify. “Earlier, it was your wife who cleverly put Demi in a tight spot. Demi wore Ellie’s ne, and Ellie’s quick wit left her humiliated!”


    Yet, Demi hadn’t yed fair, resorting to ying the victim and seeking sympathy from everyone else.


    The Gordons had turned a simple business event into their personal stage.


    “Do you n to step in for your wife?” Jerome probed.


    “No.”


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    Jerome cast a quick nce at Kaiden, noting his icy demeanor, and simply shook his head. Why did he seem so bothered by her troubles if he wasn’t going to help?


    Puzzled, Jerome questioned, “Kaiden, something doesn’t add up. Before Demi’s return, the Gordons were unaware that Ellie wasn’t their biological child. Yet, they treated her poorly. Now, they shower Demi with affection. Why?”


    “They had a son before.”


    Jerome’s memory clicked. “Ah, that’s right! The Gordons’ son died young. That exins why Ellie suffered.”


    The Gordons, having preferred their son, neglected their daughter. After their son’s tragic death in a fight, unable to have more children, they shifted their focus to their remaining daughter.


    Jerome, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Ellie, paused, realizing something was amiss.


    “Hold on, Kaiden. The Gordon family’s tragedy was kept under tight wraps. How did youe to know about this? Weren’t you just starting to get to know Ellie?”


    “So nosy!” Kaiden chastised, shooting a frosty re at Jerome, effectively putting a stop to his questions.


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