Chapter 280

Chapter 280

Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Aiden's voice came through the intercom. "Ms. Wipere, Mr. Lancaster asked me to deliver something."

The Douglas brothers' expressions changed instantly.

"What's Reginald up to this late at night?" Francis muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with jealousy.

Lucinda patted Valencia's hand, turned, and walked over to open the door.

Aiden stood outside, carefully holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Ms. Wipere." Aiden bowed respectfully and offered the flowers. "Mr. Lancaster said tomorrow's banquet will be crowded, and there are some things he'd prefer to say to you privately. He personally picked these from the flower house this afternoon and asked me to deliver them now."

Lucinda walked over and took the bouquet.

It was a bundle of lilies of the valley in full bloom.

The white flowers looked like strings of delicate little bells, set against deep green leaves—pure and pristine.

The meaning of lily of the valley: the return of happiness.

Tucked inside the bouquet was a minimalist black card with Reginald's handwriting:

[Cindy, happy 21st birthday. From now on, my empire, my life—they're all yours.]

Just a few simple words, but they carried the man's bone-deep possessiveness.

The night breeze swept past, lifting the strands of hair by Lucinda's forehead.

She held the flowers, fingertips lightly brushing the white petals, a smile flickering in her eyes that even she didn't notice.

The faint fragrance of lily of the valley drifted through the night air.

Subtle. Pleasant.

Just like that man—clean, reassuring.

The day of the birthday banquet. The city's largest banquet hall.

The venue had been transformed into a romantic sea of flowers—white roses and elegant lilies of the valley intertwined, their subtle fragrance floating through the air.

Guests arrived one after another, all prominent figures in Starlight City.

"Cindy, happy birthday!"

The moment Heath walked in, he grabbed Lucinda's hand with a broad smile.

Without waiting for a response, he stuffed a thick leather envelope into her hands. "A birthday gift for my granddaughter. Take it. No refusals!"

Lucinda felt the weight of the envelope, warmth flickering in her cool eyes. "Thank you."

Moments later, a commotion arose at the entrance.

Royce strode in with a delegation of professors from the research institute, their presence commanding attention.

The scene looked more like an international academic summit than a birthday party.

"Today, we're here to support our most outstanding student!"

Royce's face was flushed with pride, his voice booming.

Under everyone's gaze, Royce personally took the stage to give a speech.

Standing at the podium, he recounted Lucinda's legendary achievements at the institute—solving unsolvable algorithms, leading the team to crack the neuromorphic chip project.

Below, applause thundered.

Guests who had once doubted Lucinda's abilities were now left in awe.

This daughter who had only recently returned to the Douglas family was a true deity in the scientific world.

"Mr. Hayden Lancaster has arrived—"

At the doorman's clear announcement, Hayden walked in, leaning on his cane.

Behind him followed the lively and energetic Niamh.

"Master! Happy birthday!" Niamh rushed straight toward Lucinda the moment she entered.

She proudly held out an exquisite box with both hands. "I brought you a gift! This is a mineral slice I dug up myself during my Antarctic expedition! The crystal formations inside are gorgeous! Super cool!"

Lucinda opened the box and looked at the shimmering mineral inside. She nodded sincerely. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Niamh."

Niamh bounced happily in place, clinging to Lucinda's arm and refusing to let go.

In the corner, Tamsin held a glass of champagne, watching the scene unfold. She leaned toward Gaia and Kenna and whispered, "Lucinda's setup today is bigger than ten corporate galas combined."

Gaia adjusted her glasses, her gaze sincere. "Ms. Wipere deserves it."

Kenna nodded lightly, a smile in her eyes. "Of course she does."

Halfway through the banquet, the lights in the hall suddenly dimmed.

The noise gradually quieted.

A spotlight suddenly illuminated the center of the stage.

Reginald stood there in a black suit, tall and commanding, like a deity descended.

He walked forward with steady, confident steps.

The entire hall fell into deathly silence. Every gaze locked onto him.

Reginald stood before the microphone.

His eyes, usually cold and ruthless, softened the moment they landed on Lucinda—so tender they could melt.

"Today is my fiancée's birthday."

Reginald's voice was low. "I want to give her a special gift."

He slowly pulled a velvet box from his suit pocket.

As gasps rippled through the crowd, this man who commanded the world's wealthiest empire knelt on one knee before Lucinda.

"Lucinda." Reginald looked up at her, his gaze deep and burning. "I know I'm not good with words. I don't know how to say sweet things. But the best decision I ever made in my life was meeting you outside that hospital."

"You saved my family's life. And you took my heart."

"So today, I want to ask you..."

Reginald took a deep breath and slowly opened the box, revealing the pink diamond ring Lucinda herself had designed. "Will you marry me?"

Lucinda stood still.

Looking at the man who towered above everyone else, yet was willing to bend his spine for her.

In her ears, she seemed to hear her grandmother's voice from long ago: "Cindy, if you ever meet a man whose eyes are full of you, who's willing to protect you for life—don't push him away."

Her eyes grew warm.

Amid countless flashing lights and the breathless anticipation of the guests, Lucinda stepped forward and stood before him.

She extended her hand, lips curving into a gentle smile.

"I will."

The hall erupted in applause.

Reginald shot to his feet.

He didn't even have time to steady his trembling breath. He slid the ring onto her finger, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

"Cindy... thank you."

He murmured into her ear, his voice hoarse.

Below, Valencia leaned against Wesley's shoulder, tears finally spilling over.

"Good. Good girl."

Wesley patted his wife's back, eyes red, gazing up at the couple onstage with deep satisfaction.

From across the room, Manuel raised his glass and shouted at Reginald. "Reginald! If you ever treat my sister badly, I'll be the first to come after you!"

Milton, seated nearby, quietly replaced all the liquor at Reginald's seat with water.

"No drinking before the wedding. It's bad for your health." Milton said seriously.

Niamh held up her phone, frantically recording from below.

She jumped up and down, voice hoarse from shouting. "My brother's proposal succeeded! Oh my God! I'm posting this on Instagram! I'm posting it in the family group! I'm making everyone jealous of my brother!"

For once, the Douglas brothers didn't stop her. Their faces were all lit with genuine smiles.

The warmth in his arms was real and blazing.

Lucinda leaned against Reginald's broad chest, listening to the thunderous beat of his heart. She slowly closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist.

In this moment, the storm ceased.

All things came back to life.

She had walked alone for twenty years. And now, at last, she had found her way home.