Chapter 13: A Smile Misunderstood
1071 Words
Chapter 13: A Smile Misunderstood
Lorraine instinctively turned away, unwilling to let her emotions show. Her heart had jolted the moment she saw Lucas Gu, but years of lessons in silence had taught her how to hide tremors behind steady gazes.
Meanwhile, Yvonne was staring at Lucas with an intensity that bordered on obsession.
In her past life, she had never even met Lucas in person. Her parents had tried to pair her with the Song family, and she, with her ambition clouding reason, agreed readily. Back then, the Song family looked far more promising.
But she hadn’t foreseen their downfall—or the Gu family’s sudden rise.
After the collapse of the Songs, stories of Lucas Gu and his cherished fiancée, Lorraine, were everywhere. It was said that Lucas adored her so completely that no request of hers ever went unanswered. If she asked for the stars, he'd find a ladder to the moon. Their romance became the envy of the elite.
Yvonne had seethed in envy. If she had married into the Gu family instead of the Songs, it would’ve been her enjoying that fairytale life.
Now, with fate offering a second chance, she wasn’t about to let it slip away.
She had made her decision. No matter what it took, she was going to become Mrs. Gu.
Lucas, on the other hand, felt a gaze burning into the side of his face. When he looked up, Lorraine had already shifted her eyes away. Instead, he found himself locking eyes with Yvonne.
He blinked, slightly confused.
Before arriving, he had been told his potential bride was the Shen family’s third miss. It made sense to assume the woman boldly staring at him must be her.
So, when Yvonne didn’t look away, Lucas smiled.
He didn’t mean much by it. But his smile—charming, luminous—landed like a meteor.
Yvonne’s heart nearly stopped.
She’d never seen a man smile like that.
Even in her past life, Alexander Song had never shown her such warmth. She had spent years yearning for even a shred of affection. Now, this perfect stranger—her second chance—was giving her exactly what she’d always wanted.
She would not lose him to anyone, least of all Lorraine.
The subtle exchange went unnoticed by most, as Mrs. Gu led her son forward and greeted Alexander and Vivian with practiced grace.
“You must be Lucas,” Alexander said, grinning. “A fine young man, just as we heard.”
Lucas offered a polite bow. “It’s an honor, sir. Ma’am.”
His words were smooth, his tone warm. The way he called them uncle and aunt left no doubt about his intentions. A silent signal had been sent: this was a courtship.
Lorraine, however, wasn’t impressed.
Alexander turned, ready to seal the moment. He gestured toward Lorraine. “This is my niece, Lorraine Shen. Though not by blood, she’s been raised in this house as our own. She’s no different from a daughter to us.”
Lucas blinked.
He glanced from Lorraine to Yvonne, confusion flickering across his face.
She’s not the third Miss Shen?
Before he could speak, Yvonne quickly cut in. “Dad, how could you only introduce Lorraine and forget about me?”
Alexander’s smile froze.
Vivian tugged lightly on Yvonne’s sleeve, whispering through gritted teeth, “Mind your manners. This isn’t the time.”
Mrs. Gu raised a curious brow. “And you are?”
Alexander cleared his throat. “That’s my daughter, Yvonne Shen.”
Yvonne stepped forward, smiling sweetly. “Hello, Mrs. Gu. Hello, Mr. Gu. I’m Yvonne.”
Mrs. Gu gave her a measured look, her expression betraying nothing.
Of course, she had known about both girls. One was promised to the Songs, the other potentially to them. The thought that they were only offered the “leftover” after the Songs had picked first still sat poorly with her.
Lucas was exceptional. Had her husband not died, had the Gu family retained their old power, they wouldn’t be forced into this kind of match at all.
Still, a connection to the Shens was politically sound. She could stomach a second choice… as long as the girl proved useful.
“Ah, Yvonne. Lovely to meet you,” she said smoothly.
Alexander, eager to secure the arrangement, tried nudging Lorraine forward again with his eyes.
Lorraine, ignoring the silent command, turned toward Lucas and said softly, “You look unwell, Mr. Gu. Have you not been sleeping well?”
The remark caught both Lucas and his mother off guard. Their smiles faltered.
Everyone in their social circles knew Lucas had a chronic illness—something congenital, something that couldn’t be cured. It was a sensitive topic, one that the Gu family guarded carefully.
And Lorraine knew it.
Which was exactly why she said it.
Lucas’s eyes darkened slightly. “I’m fine,” he replied curtly.
Feigning innocence, Lorraine tilted her head. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just concerned.”
Alexander opened his mouth to scold her, then shut it, unsure how to navigate the moment.
Vivian quickly stepped in. “She only meant to say you might have been nervous about meeting today. We all were.”
Her voice was smooth, her smile diplomatic. She tried to turn Lorraine’s dagger into a compliment.
“Isn’t that right, darling?” she added, looping an arm through Lorraine’s.
Yvonne wasn’t having it.
“Mother,” she said, her tone a little too loud, “what makes you think Lucas came here to see Lorraine?”
Vivian stiffened.
“I like Lucas,” Yvonne declared boldly. “And maybe he likes me too.”
The room went dead silent.
Alexander’s face went pale. Vivian looked like she might faint.
Mrs. Gu and Lucas exchanged a glance.
No one had expected such a blunt declaration.
Lorraine almost laughed. Yvonne’s impulsiveness had always been her weakness, and now it was on full display.
Perfect, she thought. Let her dig her own grave.
Lucas looked at his mother. She gave him the faintest nod of permission.
He stepped forward, his face unreadable.
“To hear that from Miss Yvonne is… humbling,” he said.
He paused, then added, “If Miss Yvonne would be willing to give me the honor, I would do my best to cherish her for the rest of my life.”
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