Chapter 3 He Called Her Name First
664 Words
Three days later came the Vale family's annual appreciation banquet. In name, it was a gesture of gratitude. In reality, it was an opportunity for rising elites and established families alike to secure a connection with the Vale family.
Every year, the event was held at the Bvlgari Grand Hotel in Arclight City, booked in its entirety. Families arrived in formal attire, turning the evening into one of the city's grandest social occasions.
Adrian had not returned home for three days. His secret lover had been unwell, which gave him a reason to stay. But there was another reason as well. Elara had not contacted him for three days.
In previous years, she would have already arranged their custom outfits by now, calling him home to try them on. But this year, there was nothing, not even a message or a reminder. The silence weighed on him, and he held back, waiting for her to reach out first.
Julian went to Vivian's place and handed Adrian the outfit prepared for the evening.
"Elara asked you to bring this?" There was a trace of barely concealed satisfaction in Adrian's voice.
Julian remained composed. "No, Mr. Vale. I selected it for you. If you're not satisfied, I can arrange another."
"That won't be necessary." Adrian lit a cigarette, irritation flickering across his face. After a drag, he asked, almost unwillingly, "Has Elara chosen her outfit?"
"I haven't checked. Do you want me to follow up?"
"Go take a look. Maybe she forgot about tonight's banquet." He said it as if to reassure himself.
Maybe she had simply forgotten.
When Julian arrived at the Vale Estate, Elara was dressed in casual homewear, with no sign that she was preparing for any event.
"Maybe you should put on some makeup and tell Eleanor everything tonight. Her son is keeping a mistress outside."
Elara handed Julian a cup of coffee. He did not take it. He only looked at her quietly.
"What would be the point?" Elara said. "He's her son. Do you think she would side with me?"
"At the very least, for the sake of the family's reputation, she would force him to stop."
Elara raised a brow and smiled faintly. "A tainted man isn't something I care to keep."
Julian knew she was still enduring all of this for Lucas. A mother's love could bear far more than anyone imagined.
He let out a quiet sigh. "Madam, Mr. Vale asked me to remind you not to forget tonight's banquet."
"I know."
That evening, Elara wore a simple dress. It was plain, almost austere, yet it brought out an understated elegance in her.
A Rolls-Royce stopped at the hotel entrance. She stepped out, holding Lucas's hand. The moment she arrived, she drew every eye.
"Mrs. Vale looks so refined today. And Lucas will surely grow into a handsome man."
"Exactly. If only I had her fortune. Mr. Vale treats her like a treasure."
"Envy won't help. You're not even a fraction as beautiful as she is."
The wives of the city's elite whispered among themselves.
Elara led her son to a sofa and sat down, making no move to look for Adrian.
At the center of the crowd, Adrian was speaking with several influential businessmen of Arclight City. His gaze drifted past the crowd and landed on Elara. He had no idea how long she had been sitting there.
A sudden irritation rose in him. Why wasn't she coming to him? What had gotten into her lately?
He strode over, but the moment he reached her side, the irritation faded.
"Babe, why didn't you bring our son to find me?"
"You looked busy. I wanted some quiet time with him."
"If you don't come to me, people might think we're not getting along." Adrian took her hand, a smile forming on his lips. "Stand by my side, all right?"
Just as he helped her to her feet, Lucas suddenly shouted, drawing everyone's attention.
"Vivi! You're here too!"
- Writer
