Chapter 118 The First Dance at the Ball, Who Will Alaric Invite?
When Allegra saw Cordelia return, she no longer needed to keep an eye on Alaric and went to the kitchen to help Donald.
Cordelia sat down across from Alaric, holding Amber in her arms.
As Cordelia sat down, Amber suddenly kicked her little legs and jumped down, grabbed an orange from the table, and held it out to Alaric.
"Mr. Hughes, peel it."
Cordelia raised her eyebrows slightly. Seeing that Amber had only met Alaric twice yet was being so forward, she was about to take the orange back to peel it herself when Alaric had already agreed.
"Okay."
His tone was cheerful, without the coldness he had when talking to Cordelia.
Cordelia paused, a subtle look flashing in her gem-like eyes.
She quietly watched Alaric peeling the orange for Amber.
His fingers were long and beautiful, and even peeling an orange was pleasing to watch.
She just wondered if Amber was the first girl he'd ever peeled an orange for.
Alaric was very patient. After peeling the orange, he even removed all the white fibers from it.
Only after removing all the fibers did he break the orange apart and place it in Amber's hand.
The orange segments were large and Amber's hands were small - the scene looked so warm and adorable.
After taking the orange, Amber immediately ran back to Cordelia's side.
Cordelia reached out and pulled her into her arms, saying softly, "Aren't you going to thank Mr. Hughes?"
Amber nodded obediently, "Thank you, Mr. Hughes."
She had already thanked him once before - did she need to thank him twice?
Amber's eyes were full of curiosity.
Seeing this, Cordelia gently and patiently explained.
Alaric sat on the sofa, listening to Cordelia's soft voice talking to Amber, ripples stirring in his heart.
Cordelia really was a wonderful mother.
If he and Cordelia had had a child during their three years of marriage...
At this thought, Alaric suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
His eyes dimmed slightly, hiding his inner reluctance.
Amber understood what Cordelia meant and looked up at Alaric, "Thank you, Mr. Hughes."
Her voice was soft and sweet. Alaric swept away his earlier gloom and forced a smile, "You're welcome."
He smiled so gently that when Cordelia looked up, she couldn't help but stare.
The moment Alaric looked up and met her gaze, Cordelia looked away, lowering her eyes to Amber in her arms, her lips curving slightly.
She didn't know if it was because of their blood relationship, but Alaric seemed to have quite a good feeling toward Amber.
That was good.
Even if not as a father, Amber had one more person to care for her.
In this world, no mother doesn't want her child to receive more love.
Donald had prepared dinner, and while Allegra was setting the table, Donald came out to call them to eat.
Alaric didn't stand on ceremony. When he heard Donald's voice, he got up from the sofa.
Amber consciously went to wash her hands.
After Alaric washed his hands, he gently helped Amber dry the water from her fingers.
Donald saw Alaric's actions and sighed softly, then looked at Cordelia.
Cordelia noticed Donald's gaze and pressed her lips together lightly, walking to her seat and sitting down.
During the meal, Alaric and Donald discussed Donald's short video account.
Donald hadn't updated since returning from Astoria to Shadowpine.
Many fans were urging him to update and asking if Donald had encountered any problems.
Donald shared some of his thoughts, and the two had an enjoyable conversation.
After the meal, Cordelia took Amber upstairs.
When Alaric left, Cordelia was sitting on the balcony reading while Amber played with toys beside her.
Cordelia watched Alaric walk out of the courtyard, leave The Stone Manor, then get in his car and drive away.
She stared at the empty space where the car had been, lost in thought.
It wasn't until Donald came upstairs and knocked on the door that Cordelia snapped back to reality and walked to the door.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
She had a smile on her face as she looked at Donald, having already adjusted her mindset.
Donald looked at Cordelia's composed expression, knowing that she actually hadn't let go all these years.
Otherwise, when she was in Astoria, even though she had better job opportunities, she still chose to return home.
"Why don't you..."
Donald had just started when Cordelia already understood what he wanted to say. She pressed her lips together and answered with a smile.
"He has a girlfriend now."
"And I didn't tell Amber to call him Mr. Hughes - he thinks Amber is Dominic's child."
Hearing this, Donald paused, his brows furrowing slightly, and remained silent for a long time.
Cordelia smiled faintly, her expression no different from usual.
"Dad, Amber has so many people who love her, it's okay."
Donald sighed, his face heavy.
"I'm worried about you being hurt."
Cordelia felt her nose tingle, but quickly suppressed the urge to cry. She forced a smile, her curved eyes hiding the tears.
"I'm even more okay."
"I've already let go."
She and Alaric were simply not favored by fate.
Their three years of marriage - the most beautiful thing it left Cordelia was perhaps just Amber.
She was content with that.
Donald didn't know how to comfort Cordelia, so he just patted her shoulder, "Get some sleep early. You have the ball to attend tomorrow, need to take care of your skin."
Cordelia nodded gently.
Amber poked her little head out from beside Cordelia's legs.
"Can I wear my pretty dress tomorrow?"
After Evelyn brought Amber's dress back to The Stone Manor, Amber had been staring at it almost every day, looking forward to attending the ball.
During this time, she hadn't even watched cartoons, insisting on watching videos of children dancing instead.
She'd even learned quite well.
Donald bent down and ruffled Amber's head, "Yes, Amber can dance tomorrow. How about I ask Amber for the first dance tomorrow?"
Amber nodded obediently.
When going to bed that night, Amber was still practicing waltz moves on the bed.
The next morning, she woke up very early and asked Allegra to help her change into her dress right away.
After much persuasion from Allegra, Amber finally agreed to change after lunch.
Evelyn and Alaric arrived at Luminary Ventures Group early in the morning to oversee everything. From the employee meeting to the anniversary speech, by the time they finished the series of events, it was already afternoon.
Evelyn hadn't invited any media today and had changed the dinner format to a ball.
All employees and invited guests needed to wear suits and gowns to the ball that evening.
This greatly reduced the chance of Amber being exposed during the ball.
Before the ball started, Alaric gave a speech on stage while Cordelia entered holding Amber's hand.
When Alaric announced the start of the ball, Evelyn picked up the microphone, "Let's have Mr. Hughes lead us with the first dance of the evening."
Hearing this, everyone immediately applauded in welcome.
Alaric's gaze locked directly on Cordelia's direction, and everyone followed his gaze.
After seeing Cordelia, everyone understood.