Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 368

i indery duw a quick glance at Elysia and then at Zane standing next to her. A playful smile crept across her face. Looks like you’ve with Wet your future mother–in–law, Elystar

Her teasing tone made Elycine checke turn bright red Lindsey?

Flyers did her a look that exid, “Watch it Finally managing to hold back her laughter, Lindsey watched Elysia make her way to the stage. Can you believe it At her age, the still gets shy so exsity; she thought.

Meanwhile, Zane had somehow found a better spot, making him the perfect audience for the action about to unfold.

Standing proudly in the center of the stage, Elysix felt nervous excitement as focelyn wrapped her arms around her. radiating happiness. “This birthday is really special for me. So, I want this special person to cut the cake with me and share in my joy

Then she turned to Elysia, her simile growing more genuine. “Elysia, will you join me in cutting the cake?”

Looking into Jocelyn’s sparkling eyes, Elysia understood what Jocelyn was trying to do,

By calling her a “special person” Jocelyn was being careful to keep their family ties under wraps.

If she had introduced Elysia as the daughter of the Evans family, the crowd would surely jump to conclusions about a possible marriage between their families.

But that kind of talk hadn’t been officially discussed yet. If misunderstandings arose, it could put the Evans family in a tough spot.

Whatever the outcome, the Evans family wouldn’t benefit from such assumptions.

Deep down, Elysia knew that even without revealing her identity on stage, the guests probably had their suspicions.

But now that Jocelyn had mentioned it, everything had changed. Even if people were guessing about the Hartley family and Evans family, at least half their doubts would vanish.

Sure enough, someone in the crowd thought, ‘Could Ms. Evans have come with Mr. Hartley because she has a strong bond with Mrs. Jocelyn Hartley?

Jocelyn holding Elysia’s hand, poised to make the first cut.

Zane and Elysia were together solely because of Jocelyn’s influence.

Esther glared at Elysia, who was clearly basking in the spotlight. Anger simmered inside her.

the frown on her face. She gently tugged at Esther’s sleeve, trying

she whispered, worried that with so many important people around,

rising within her. It was tough to hold back her fr tion. Thankfully, a small part of her still had sense. If not, she might have launched into a screaming match

now?” Esther said, lowering her voice to keep it under wraps. Her annoyance was clear. “Am I even

helpless. If Esther wasn’t

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if you’re angry, you have to keep it together. There are so many people around. If anyone sees how

can’t help it! Why does that country girl get to grab all the attention

Grabbing Ashley’s wrist, her face lit up with excitement. “Mom, since no

comes down, you can take me over to say

plan. She almost wanted to say no, but then she noticed Esther glance over at Zane standing nearby. “If I can catch Mrs. Jocelyn Hartley’s interest, maybe Mr. Hartley

you won’t have to deal with Grandma or Uncle’s judgment anymore,” Esther added,

felt a tug of temptation. She knew it was a

eyes slightly. Sure, Elysia seemed to have the upper hand, but Ashley thought,

as excitement filled her, she opened her mouth to agree when Lindsey’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “Wow, talk about

that their conversation had been overheard. But upon realizing it was just Lindsey, they sighed in relief. Still, the smiles on their faces slowly

not to let

smirked, a playful spark in her eye. “When did I come back? Why should

elders?” Ashley said, her voice low, struggling to keep

it,” Lindsey said, glancing Ashley up and down with

mom like that?” Esther burst out, her frustration boiling over. She momentarily forgot where they were and raised her

turned toward them instantly.