Chapter 523
Chapter 523:
In truth, Natalie was in a drugged haze, but not entirely unresponsive. If Helena had a private moment with her, there was a chance Natalie could regain her senses.
Liliana couldn’t risk that. She exchanged a quick, tense glance with Henrik before forcing a smile. “Mom wanted to be here, believe me. Tell you what, let me check on her. If she’s feeling up to it, I’ll bring her out to greet everyone p>
Without waiting for a response, Liliana hurried out of the hall.
A short while later, she returned, slowly guiding Natalie into the room for everyone to see.
Natalie stepped into the hall, dressed in a rich purple velvet gown. Her hair was elegantly pinned up, and emerald jewelry gleamed against her skin, completing her refined look. On the surface, she radiated poise and elegance, her face more luminous than usual—yet there was an emptiness in her eyes, as if she were lost in a fog.
To most, nothing seemed amiss, but Helena immediately sensed the oddness.
“Mom!” The sight tugged at Helena’s heart. She hurried forward, reaching out to grasp her mother’s arm.
Liliana, ever so subtly, maneuvered Natalie just out of reach, leaving Helena’s hand grasping at air.
“Liliana, what are you—” Helena began to ask, but Liliana interrupted, feigning concern as she turned to Natalie.
“Mother, did you just flinch? Is it uncomfortable for you to see Helena right now?” Putting on a show of gentle worry, Liliana continued, “I’ve always said, Helena can be indecent, but she’s still your daughter. Deep down, you could never hold a grudge against her p>
Those simple words from Liliana carried far more weight than they seemed. All around, the hall buzzed with curiosity, and even Zayden regarded Helena with a thoughtful, narrowed gaze.
But Helena couldn’t care less about Liliana’s carefully crafted words or the shifting opinions in the hall. Her focus was entirely on Natalie—nothing else mattered.
Valeria had assured her earlier that the hallucinogen would take time to fully affect Natalie, and there was still hope. Yet, when Helena looked into those empty eyes herself, her worry deepened.
“Mom, please! It’s me, Helena! Look at me!” Her voice trembled with desperation as she tried to break through the haze. Before she could say more, Liliana stepped in front of Natalie. She snapped, “Helena, stop upsetting our mother p>
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“You—” Helena barely got the word out before Natalie, silent until now, suddenly spoke. “Welcome to my daughter’s birthday celebration p>
Natalie’s words weren’t loud, but her presence commanded the room. The moment she spoke, applause rippled through the crowd.
When the clapping quieted, Natalie continued, “My love for my daughter knows no bounds. I hope you’ll all join me in wishing her the happiest of birthdays, and a life filled with peace and blessings—if not for her, then at least for me p>
She didn’t specify which daughter she meant, but as she stood close to Liliana, her hand warmly held by Liliana’s, and not sparing Helena a single glance, the message was clear.