Chapter 16
Gloria’s face instantly darkened. She frowned and snapped, “Averie’s right. We raised you for eighteen years, Solana. Even if you’re going back to your own home soon, we can’t have people saying we treated you poorly. Go back and find something decent to wear!”
“No need to go through the trouble, Mom,” Averie said with a bright smile. “I have way more clothes than I can wear anyway. I’ll pick one out for Solana. Hmm, which one would look good on her? Let me think.”
With that, Averie lowered her head, pretending to seriously search for something suitable.
The moment Solana stepped inside, her eyes landed on that Versace dress hanging on the wall–the spring/summer piece from last year, not this year. Averie had bought it for her on sale during a shopping trip.
In Solana’s past life, that was the exact dress she’d been wearing when she was dragged into the police station.
When she saw Averie moving toward it, Solana casually picked up a new Dior dress from the floor and said, “Let’s go with this one. Either way, today’s your big day, Averie. I don’t want to steal your thunder. This white dress is simple and understated–perfect for someone like me, staying quietly in a corner.”
Gloria’s face finally softened. “At least you know your place.”
Just as Solana was about to leave, Averie said quickly, “Wait, Solana, why don’t you wear the one I’m holding instead?”
Solana acted like she didn’t hear her and walked straight out without even turning her head.
Averie made a move to follow, but Gloria grabbed her arm. “Forget it. She’s just going to be a wallflower tonight. No one’s gonna pay attention to her anyway. Come on, I’ve got some jewelry for you.”
The moment jewelry was mentioned, Averie instantly dropped the dress and followed her.
Back in her room, Solana changed out of the dress quickly. If she wasn’t worried about ticking off that mother–daughter duo–and ending up locked in her room like in her past life, forbidden to go to the hotel–she wouldn’t have gone along with their nonsense at all.
‘Just put up with it a little longer. A few hours, tops. I’m about to finally reunite with Mom and Dad!‘ Solana thought.
On the way to Prosperity Hotel, Lucas was driving again.
Gloria and Averie sat in the back, so Solana had no choice but to take the front passenger seat.
Lucas reminded Solana to buckle up gently, and there was a quiet sympathy in his eyes when he looked at her.
In her past life, when Solana found out it was her dad who died in the crash, she tried to take back her statement. But no one listened. Lucas was the only one who ever tried to help.
But the Webb family had too much power. They shut down every path Lucas tried to take to report the truth.
In the end, Lucas lost his job, and because Robert had connections everywhere, he couldn’t find another one. Even his
1/4
งบ
58%
Chapter 16
wife left him and took the kid.
‘Not this time,‘ Solana thought. ‘None of that’s going to happen. I hope Lucas has a smooth life in this one.‘
Soon, the car pulled up in front of Prosperity Hotel. As soon as Averie stepped out, a row of celebratory confetti cannons went off. Then she was immediately surrounded like a princess, with everyone crowding around her.
And Solana waited until they’d all gone in before she got out of the car.
The moment Solana stepped through the hotel doors, someone called her name. “Solana Webb!”
Solana turned and saw Mateo. He was dressed in a tailored suit for once, hands in his pockets, striding over with that usual arrogant air.
“You’ve been hiding from me pretty well, haven’t you, Solana?” Mateo said.
Wearing a plain white dress, Solana looked cool and detached. “My name’s not Solana Webb. I’m Solana Spencer.”
Mateo froze for a second like he just registered what she’d said. He stepped closer and grabbed her delicate chin.
From across the lobby, Nolan walked in and dressed in all black, a mask covering his face. But his sharp gaze locked right onto that scene.
Benjamin leaned in beside him and explained, “Mr. Lawson, I think that’s the boy from the Perce Hotel incident.”
‘Mateo?‘ Nolan smirked. ‘A leopard can’t change its spots. They just keep bullying whoever they can. Looks like today’s another day Mateo’s due for a beating.‘
Nolan stopped walking and watched with interest.
Mateo lifted Solana’s porcelain–doll face roughly and said coldly, “You ditched the Webb name and you’re proud of that? I heard you can’t even afford to go back to Knight International next semester. Why don’t you start sucking up to me again like you used to? Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I’ll talk to my dad and get you back in.”
Solana slapped his hand away with a cold smile. “Not interested.”
A few steps away, Nolan raised an eyebrow. ‘Interesting girl. Not afraid of Mateo, huh? Too bad she’s facing the other way- I can’t see her face.’
“You” Mateo was just about to lunge after her when Rosalind showed up.
“Mateo,” Rosalind called, grabbing his arm and fixing his hair. “Come with me. You need to meet Averie. I just met her earlier–she’s gorgeous. Sweet, polite… exactly the kind of girl I like. Here, take this.”
With that, Rosalind handed him a neatly wrapped gift.
Mateo frowned. “What is it?”
Rosalind smiled. “A gift I picked out for Averie.”
Then Rosalind dragged him off.
2/4
14:38 Wed, 30 Jul GO
Chapter 16
Meanwhile, Benjamin leaned over again. “Mr. Lawson, the private room’s on the second floor.”
Nolan took one last look at Solana’s back and said, lips barely moving, “Find out who that girl is.”
58%
Inside the party hall, Robert was leading Averie around to meet people. With Roberton Properties being such a big deal in Embridge City, every guest was full of praise for Averie.
Averie couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. She looked like she really thought she was some kind of princess.
Solana took a step forward, only for Gloria to grab her wrist.
“Stay in the corner tonight,” Gloria hissed, voice low. “Don’t let anyone notice you.”
But this was a big deal–Roberton Properties had raised the wrong daughter. A lot of people were here just for the drama. Naturally, the moment Solana walked into the hotel, she caught more than a few stares.
Soon, someone came over and said with admiration, “Mrs. Webb, you’re so kind. Even though she’s not your real daughter, you still brought her here.
“I heard her biological family’s really poor. Are you planning to keep her as an adopted daughter?
“That would be such a blessing for her!”
Gloria’s face darkened. She didn’t even know how to explain.
Solana said calmly, “You’ve all misunderstood. I’ll be going back to my real family. I won’t have anything to do with the Webb family anymore.”
The crowd fell silent, stunned.
Gloria leaned in close and snapped, “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying we treated you badly?”
Solana couldn’t be bothered to respond. She checked the time, saw it was almost time, and turned to leave.
‘Almost there. I’m finally going to see Dad,‘ Solana thought.
Meanwhile, Rosalind brought Mateo over to Averie.
Mateo had a pretty face and dressed well. Just standing under the crystal chandelier, he instantly caught Averie’s eye.
“Hi, I’m… I’m Averie,” Averie said shyly, lowering her head. Even her ears turned red.
Mateo was used to hanging around with rich girls, but this was the first time one blushed so easily. It stirred something protective in him.
“This is for you,” Mateo said, handing her the gift like Rosalind told him.
Averie lit up. “What is it?”
Rosalind added quickly, “I heard you like to paint. Mateo brought one of our family’s treasured pieces for you.”
3/4
58%
Chapter 16
Averie was thrilled. ‘Anything from the Porter family has to be super valuable,’ she thought.
Then Averie tore off the wrapping. Inside was a bold, abstract painting of roses. The style was wild and dramatic–totally not her taste.
The truth was, Averie’s interest in art was just something she said to fit in–rich people liked to talk about antiques and paintings, after all.
Robert took one look and gasped. “Wait… is that Rita’s ‘Sunrise Rose‘?” He moved closer and saw the signature in the bottom corner–Rita’s unmistakable mark.
Rosalind pretended to act surprised. “Oh wow, Mr. Webb, you recognize it?”
“I have one of her ‘Mountain Majesty‘ pieces in my study,” Robert said, excited. “Her style’s bold and unconventional. I love it. But I thought she’d stopped painting. That ‘Sunrise Rose‘ sold for an insane price back in the day. I can’t believe your family had it! That’s an incredible gift!”
Averie had no clue who Rita was, but judging by the way her dad and Rosalind were acting, the painting was obviously super expensive. That was all that mattered.
“Thank you, Mateo,” Averie said, cheeks flushed, eyes full of admiration.
Mateo didn’t care much about the painting, but Rosalind was right–this girl was pretty cute.
As the party officially kicked off, the two of them slowly slipped away from the grown–ups.
Mateo had just gotten a new sports car for his twentieth birthday and was itching to show it off.
Averie beamed. “My dad bought me a sports car too. A Porsche 911!”
Mateo chuckled. “A Porsche? That’s beginner–level. Let me show you my Bugatti.”
Averie frowned. “What? You mean Tesla?”
‘Isn’t that the cheap brand?‘ Averie thought.
4/4
