Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED DRESSEvelyn's face changed.
For years, everyone in the room had feared her.
No one spoke against her.
No one dared.
But Charles had just done it in front of everyone.
Evelyn forced a smile.
“Charles, you are emotional.”
“I am perfectly calm.”
“You don't even know this child.”
Charles looked at Lily.
Then at the letter.
“I know enough.”
Evelyn laughed softly.
“You are seriously going to believe a dirty child who walks into a private event with an old letter?”
Lily flinched.
Charles noticed.
His expression darkened.
Evelyn continued.
“Perhaps she was sent here by someone trying to take advantage of you.”
Lily looked at the floor.
She had heard those words before.
Dirty.
Unwanted.
Trouble.
She had learned not to cry when adults said them.
But Charles noticed the way her shoulders moved.
He knelt in front of her.
“What did they tell you to do?”
Lily looked into his eyes.
“My mother said to give you this.”
“Anything else?”
She slowly shook her head.
“Then you did exactly what you were supposed to do.”
Charles stood.
He turned toward the room.
“This girl is my granddaughter.”
The ballroom erupted in whispers.
Evelyn stared at him.
“Your granddaughter?”
Charles nodded.
“My daughter's child.”
Evelyn's face became pale.
“That is impossible.”
Charles looked at her.
“You knew my daughter.”
Evelyn said nothing.
That silence was enough.
Charles understood.
He turned toward his head of security.
“Bring a doctor.”
Then he looked at Lily.
“And bring her mother here immediately.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“You cannot simply claim a child because she resembles someone.”
Charles' eyes hardened.
“I am not claiming her.”
May you like
He placed a hand gently on Lily's shoulder.
“I am protecting her.”
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