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?

watched the two on stage, they saw Jocelyn holding Elysia’s hand, poised to make the

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

below, Esther glared at Elysia, who was clearly

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

whispered, worried that with so many important people

hold back her fr tion. Thankfully, a small part of her still had sense. If not, she might have launched into a screaming

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

sigh, feeling helpless. If Esther wasn’t her daughter, she

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are so many people around. If anyone

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

with excitement. “Mom, since no one is giving us a chance, let’s

over to say hello. Just a quick chat. Who knows? She might like me more than that village girl!”

over at Zane standing nearby. “If I can catch

to deal with Grandma or Uncle’s judgment anymore,” Esther

a long shot,

slightly. Sure, Elysia seemed to have the upper hand, but Ashley thought, ‘What if Esther’s plan actually

cut through the air like a knife. “Wow, talk about wishful thinking!

hearts racing with the fear that their conversation had been overheard. But

in an instant, but she tried not to let it show

eye. “When did I come back? Why should I tell you, Ashley?”

elders?” Ashley said, her voice low, struggling to keep her anger in check.

I don’t see it,” Lindsey said, glancing Ashley up and down with a

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

turned toward