Chapter 457

The Valdemar Manor was ablaze with lights.

The prestigious Valdemar family, known for rarely hosting social events, had unexpectedly sent invitations to all the elite families in the city.

Nearly every invited guest had arrived.

Only the Valdemars were absent.

To be precise, no invitation had been extended to them.

Madam Valdemar had considered everything carefully. She feared her daughter Sophia might reignite her obsession with Alexander Valdemar if she saw him tonight.

Standing radiantly at the center of the grand hall, Madam Valdemar had her daughter Sophia on her left and her eldest niece, Hailey, on her right.

Hailey held her son Yangyang's hand.

Due to her figure, Hailey hadn't opted for an evening gown. Instead, she wore a brand-new tailored suit, complemented by delicate makeup and the jewelry gifted by Madam Valdemar. The ensemble exuded an air of understated elegance.

Yangyang, dressed in a perfectly fitted little suit, looked even more adorable. Initially shy, the boy quickly adjusted to the lively atmosphere. Whenever someone praised his looks, he responded with sweet gratitude, gradually becoming the center of attention.

"Madam, Mrs. Lu and the fourth young master of the Lu family have arrived," the butler announced.

Madam Valdemar's eyes lit up. She immediately took Hailey's hand. "Come, let's greet our distinguished guests."

In a hushed tone, she explained, "Mrs. Lu is Lucas Lu's mother. He's helped you quite a bit before."

Hailey nodded in understanding.

Tonight's banquet was Madam Valdemar's declaration to the entire city—the Hailey sisters now had the backing of the Valdemar Group.

As the trio reached the center of the courtyard, they encountered Mrs. Lu and her son approaching.

"Mrs. Lu, Young Master Lu."

"Madam Valdemar."

The two noblewomen exchanged warm greetings as if they were lifelong friends, though in reality, they rarely acknowledged each other in passing.

The Lu family, being close allies of the Valdemars, shouldn't have attended this event.

But tonight was different.

Mrs. Lu had made an exception solely because her youngest son, Lucas, had insisted on accompanying her. His unusual eagerness piqued her curiosity—what could possibly have drawn her socially averse son to the Valdemar gathering?

After exchanging pleasantries, the two matriarchs began complimenting each other's children.

When the conversation turned to Hailey, Mrs. Lu finally took notice of the unfamiliar face.

"This must be your niece?"

Madam Valdemar proudly clasped Hailey's hand. "This is my eldest niece, Hailey. Unfortunately, her younger sister couldn't join us tonight due to prior commitments."

"Yangyang."

Lucas suddenly crouched down, reaching to touch the boy's cheek. The little one looked irresistibly charming in his tiny suit.

But Yangyang shrank back like a startled rabbit, hiding behind his mother.

Lucas's hand hung awkwardly mid-air.

He stood up with a wry smile. "Why does he always hide from me?"

Mrs. Lu sensed something amiss. "Lucas, do you know Miss Hailey?"

"She used to work at my company. Resigned not long ago," Lucas admitted truthfully.

Yangyang peeked out from behind Hailey, eyeing Lucas cautiously. Noticing this, Lucas immediately flashed a bright smile and clapped his hands, signaling that he wanted to hold the boy.