Chapter 1391
Jerrick shot him a lethal glare. “Do you want to die p>
Hearing the commotion behind her, Serena’s lips curled into a faint smile.
When she smiled, it was like a sudden, blinding bloom of vibrant flowers-radiant and entirely captivating.
Standing a short distance away, Nicholas watched her, his intoxicating eyes filled with a deep, consuming affection.
His Serena was no longer standing alone in the storm.
She was surrounded by the warmth of her family.
Cherished by everyone who mattered.
After the grand introduction, the gala officially commenced.
Edward and Catherine personally guided Serena through the crowd to greet several key elders in their social circle.
Normally, this was a standard, tedious formality.
But tonight, everyone quickly realized they were witnessing a relentless, aggressive display of parental bragging.
The reason was simple.
Edward was notoriously stoic.
In the corporate world, he was a man of few words, known for his ruthless tactics
and suffocating presence.
Catherine was always the picture of poised, restrained elegance.
Yet tonight, every time Edward introduced Serena, his script never changed: “This is my daughter, Serena p>
“My daughter just came home. Please look out for her p>
“My daughter worked so hard competing overseas p>
“Oh, her medical skills? Yes, she’s quite talented. Very talented p>
“Marington College? Oh, she just attends for fun. We never expected her to become
the national captain! Haha, everyone is just too kind p>
Catherine was equally relentless. “This is my precious daughter p>
“She wasn’t with us growing up, so we owe her the world p>
“If your families host any gatherings for the younger crowd, make sure to invite our Serena p>
“Though she is very busy, so whether she attends is entirely up to her p>
What was supposed to be a series of polite introductions.
Turned into an exhaustive exhibition of parental obsession.
They desperately wanted the entire world to know how perfect she was.
The elders being introduced couldn’t
help but laugh. “Edward, Cal
she just got back and you’re already spoiling her this much? Content,
Catherine’s eyes welled up slightly, but her smile was fiercely loving. “Of course we
are. We have twenty years to make up for p>
Edward nodded sharply. “The
Lancasters don’t lack money or resources. The only thing we ever
lacked was our daughter. Now
that
she’s back, she gets the absolute
best p>
The surrounding guests felt another jolt of shock.
This wasn’t just polite banter.
It was pure devotion.
They truly wanted to drop the entire world at her feet to compensate for everything she had missed.
Flanked by her beaming parents, Serena didn’t show a hint of impatience.
Normally, she had zero tolerance for superficial socializing.
But seeing the sheer radiance in her mother’s eyes every time she spoke.
And watching her father practically act like a dragon hoarding gold, physically blocking anyone who stared at her a second too long.
Her heart softened.
When introduced, she offered a polite nod.
When asked a question, she answered smoothly.
She was aloof, but never arrogant.
Distant, but flawlessly polite.
Her effortless composure shut down anyone who had intended to find fault.
How could anyone call her a rustic outsider?
She possessed more natural elegance than all the trust-fund socialites in the room combined.
When the initial round of greetings finally paused.
Serena was granted a brief moment of freedom.
Except, that “freedom” merely meant
shifting from her parents’ orbit into the impenetrable defensive,
perimeter established by her three brothers.