Chapter 236 Recognizing Father
Esme moved toward the woman standing beside Ezekiel, a wine glass trembling slightly in her hand.
At the same time, Celeste lingered in the corner, steadying Clara, who could barely keep herself upright.
Clara, barely a day out of surgery, was weak and drained, her face ghostly pale. "Mom… who exactly is my dad?"
The guests at the Howard family banquet were all either wealthy or noble, and even just the sight of their lavish, dazzling gowns left Clara breathless.
Especially Ezekiel, standing at the center—his suit custom-made in Istalia, crafted from a level of luxury money could hardly touch.
Oliver had long wanted a suit from that brand, but the designer demanded proof of wealth before offering their services. Oliver had cursed about it at home, and somehow, Clara suddenly remembered that brand.
"Clara, just wait—your father's identity will shock you!"
Hearing this, Clara felt her heart leap into her throat. Could her father really be Ezekiel?
This was the Howard family!
Even the combined assets of hundreds of Olivers would barely match a fraction of the Howard family’s fortune.She had heard that a Howard family child’s monthly allowance started in the millions.
If Ezekiel were her biological father, she would have a lifetime of wealth and luxury at her fingertips!
Not to mention Lucas, whom she had once needed to strive for—now, even the men in this banquet hall were within her reach.
Celeste held Clara close, keeping her from wandering off.
“We can’t afford to offend any of the guests! Clara, stay here and wait for your father to arrive.”
Clara nodded absentmindedly, but her eyes locked onto a figure who had just entered. Her pupils widened, and her voice trembled: “Mom… isn’t that Catherine?” Celeste followed her daughter’s gaze.
Catherine, clad in a light blue-green dress, seemed like a forest sprite, as if she carried her own radiance.
The layered skirt bore delicate patterns, complemented by thin, gauzy wings that exuded a languid, effortless elegance.Two men carried the floor-length train, letting it fall only once she had fully entered.
Catherine wore matching pale gloves, her hands entwined with Alexander and Charles as she glided into the banquet hall, instantly becoming the center of attention.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, and Clara couldn’t hide her sharp pangs of jealousy.
Especially the two men flanking Catherine—one had even matched his tie to the color of her dress,and the other was actually wearing a suit in the same color scheme!
Clara was grinding her teeth.
“Mom, why does Catherine get to parade around with two men at once? Don’t they know how tangled her private life is?” Celeste felt uncertain too.
Hadn’t Catherine gone to the obstetrics and gynecology department at Healing Touch Hospital? Her private life must be so tangled that she can’t even keep track of whose child she has!
Thinking of this, Clara's eyes filled with resentment and jealousy.
Clara’s jealousy flared even more when Ezekiel stepped forward to greet them, chatting amiably with the man in the pale suit beside Catherine.
If even Ezekiel behaved like that, just how impressive must that person be?
Clara was extremely unwilling and pulled Celeste toward Ezekiel's direction!
Ezekiel smiled at Alexander before him, noticing his sharp suit, and chuckled.
He seemed to remember that Alexander didn't like light-colored suits.
Now, he was even willing to wear light colors to complement Catherine’s dress, proving that Santino’s earlier suggestion to make a move on her hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.
The approach was a bit hasty, but if the opportunity arose, he was certain Alexander’s expression would be even more desperate—and far more entertaining—than it had been years ago.
Thinking of this, Ezekiel's expression became quite animated.
“Long time no see, Alexander. And this must be your future wife? She’s beautiful—truly worthy of being a Windsor!”“Charles is young and accomplished. We old folks are probably about to be replaced!”
Alexander sneered coldly. “Indeed—very soon, we’ll be replaced.”
Catherine nodded. “Good to see you know I’m a Windsor. I thought Ezekiel didn’t recognize anyone.”
Charles snorted with amusement. “Catherine, mind your words. Ezekiel is old, not blind—of course he recognizes you.” After the playful scolding, Charles glanced at Ezekiel, wearing a mock look of apology.
"Really sorry about that, Ezekiel!"
“Catherine’s just been spoiled by us; she doesn’t know how to speak properly. Ezekiel is from the Howard family—how could he not recognize her?”
"Catherine, you can't talk like that in the future. If our Windsor family's daughter goes out and people don't recognize her, Grandpa and Dad would be heartbroken."
"Got it, Charles."
These two were clearly speaking with hidden meanings.
If he didn’t recognize her, how could Ezekiel have so precisely arranged for people to follow Catherine and make their moves against her?
Hearing these obviously pointed remarks, Ezekiel's mouth twitched.
The Windsor family seemed to value this newly found daughter far more than he had expected.
But she was just a daughter - he didn't believe the Windsor family could care that much.
“Mr. Howard, I have a daughter around your age. Allow me to introduce you later—perhaps our two families could consider another marriage alliance.”
Charles smiled.
"Sounds good, just not sure which daughter you're talking about."
Everyone in their circle knew that Ezekiel had six illegitimate daughters, along with numerous unacknowledged children raised abroad—truly a Howard family scandal.
Ezekiel felt awkward, and his wife beside him glared at him viciously.
“What are you talking about? I’m speaking of my only daughter, of course. The others are just media nonsense—they don’t count! Don’t believe those rumors!”
Esme locked onto Ezekiel in the crowd and rushed straight toward him.
She called out sweetly: "Dad!"
Almost at the same moment, another voice rang out: “Dad! I’ve missed you so much!”
Ezekiel glanced at the two daughters who had appeared out of nowhere, a twitch flickering at the corner of his mouth.
The scene became chaotic for a moment, everyone was stunned!
Hadn’t he just said he only had one daughter? How could two appear out of nowhere? Esme and Clara’s eyes met, each noticing the other for the first time.
"Aren't you that daughter from the Smith family? How dare you call my dad 'dad'? Shameless little bitch! Don't forget you still owe me five million dollars!"
Clara had borrowed five million dollars from Esme to bail out Oliver and Celeste—and she still hadn’t paid it back.
Esme raised her hand and struck Clara across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the banquet hall, followed by Clara’s startled scream.
“Who knows where this trash came from, rushing to claim a father! This is MY dad—open your eyes and see clearly!”