Chapter 0101
When Emily had previously shared news of her engagement to Oliver, basking in her own joy, Violet felt nothing more than heartache and sorrow.
Yet, at this moment, her emotions were indescribable, as if the very essence of her being had shattered. Each part of her dissolving into nothingness, vanishing from existence,
Patrick, being her father, should have shown equal affection to both his daughters. Yet, it was evident that his warmth and affection were reserved only for Emily.
Oliver was entitled to choose his love, a privilege that belonged to him.
Violet wondered about her father. She, too, was his daughter. She should have been entitled to the same level of paternal love.
As these thoughts overwhelmed her, Violet’s bag slipped from her grasp, falling to the ground. She felt the coldness engulfing her world. It took her some time to reach out and hug herself,
Lucius had been watching Violet as soon as she got out of the car and noticed her looking inside. He didn’t have to guess to know she had seen her father and sister.
Although he tried to restrain his anger, the loss and sorrow emanating from Violet was too palpable for him to ignore and drive away as if nothing had happened.
Her anguish was, after all, largely his fault. He approached her to apologize, believing that it was
the appropriate thing to do.
Exiting the car, Lucius’s steps were quicker than usual, a detall he himself hadn’t noticed. He
didn’t recall that he never felt sorry for anyone.
He approached Violet with a blunt remark, “What are you doing, wandering around at night?”
Violet turned, surprised by his presence. Yet she said nothing more, not even questioning why he was there.
She was wearing very thin clothes, which irritated Lucius. It made him want to say something.
sharp.
“Why are you dressed like this?” he grumbled, but his actions contradicted his words as he
removed his coat and placed it over Violet’s shoulders.
The coat enveloped her, hiding her frame beneath its folds.
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“Why did you come here?” Violet finally asked, finding some warmth in the coat.
Lucius, slightly irritated by the delay in her query, replied, “Isn’t it obvious that I should be at such an event?”
To which she simply responded, “Oh.”
Violet’s simple responses triggered a strong reaction in Lucius, making him feel an almost overwhelming urge to strangle her.
She began to take off the coat he had given her. “I’m leaving now. Take it.”
But as she started to hand it back to him, Lucius fixed her with a fierce glare. “Don’t even think about taking it off, or else I swear I’ll kill you!”
His menacing tone halted her actions, not out of fear, but because she was still processing the favoritism her father had shown Emily.
Engaging in an argument with Lucius was the last thing on her mind.
Quietly, Violet began to walk away to hail a cab.
Just as she was about to get into one, Lucius suddenly intervened, saying firmly, “Come with me!”
“Where to?” she asked.
“Just wait and see,” he responded, leading her back to the venue.
“I really shouldn’t go back in,” Violet protested.
But Lucius was undeterred, guiding her straight to where Patrick and Emily were.
“What’s going on here?”
Violet?” –
Lucius.
uttered it in surprise. Patrick also looked taken aback to see her accompanied by
“Why are you here?” Emily asked softly.
Her question was laced with curiosity, particularly about Violet’s presence with Lucius.
Lucius, acting as though they were merely passing through, steered Violet toward the food area.
“What would you like?” he offered thoughtfully. “Let me know, and I’ll fetch it for you.”
He didn’t turn their way, and added, “This one is pretty nourishing.”
His customary haughtiness gave way to a display of protective warmth, captivating not only
+16 BONOS
His charm had a noticeable impact on the onlookers, who almost wished they could fall into his
embrace.
“Thanks.” Violet murmured quietly, still troubled by the thought of facing her father, who had once declared her dead.
“It’s so easy to please someone who never received fatherly love,” Lucius said aloud, causing Patrick’s face to flush with humiliation.
To make things look more genuine, Lucius tenderly stroked Violet’s hair as If to console her.
“It’s all right, Violet. I’ll make up for all the love you missed.”
These words touched Violet deeply, causing tears to well up in her eyes.
She couldn’t face Patrick after his hurtful declaration.
His announcement of her death had crushed all of her hopes. She could understand his desire to satisfy Belle and preserve the peace, but she couldn’t forgive his words, which had cut her so profoundly.
Violet stayed silent, allowing Lucius to lead the way.
The setting, along with the presence of Patrick and Emily, made her uneasy.
“Dad, did you hear that? Mr. Davis is going to lavish Violet with love!”
Emily whispered to Patrick, her unease growing as she watched Lucius’s attentiveness towards Violet, her jealousy barely concealed.
