Chapter 33 The Velor Family Charity Gala was a grand success. The main ballroom was filled with guests from various walks of life- top-tier businesspeople, influential officials, public figures, and even celebrities. They arrived dressed in their finest formalwear and were immediately welcomed with classical music, soft lighting, and lavish refreshments. Although the event was held in the name of Genevra Velor, the family matriarch, she was not present, as she was still abroad. Nor was Eleanor, the first wife of the late Lucian Velor and Andrian's stepmother-she was also absent. Thus, To Genevra's directives, Andrian took full responsibility as the family's representative. He opened the evening, gave welcome speech, and personally greeted key guests on behalf of the Velor family. Andrian was accompanied by his younger brother Nathan Velor, and their mother, Veronica. However, their presence didn't attract much attention, as Veronica, being Lucian's third wife, was often overlooked by high society. Meanwhile, the spotlight remained on Andrian and Aliana, who remained side-by-side throughout the event. Their coordinated demeanor and lack of visible distance-despite recent rumors-captivated the room. They occasionally spoke quietly to one another, and at one point, Andrian gently smoothed Aliana's hair. These moments sparked speculation that the scandalous video might've been a misunderstanding after all. At one of the main tables, Ethan Zavier watched with evident satisfaction. He couldn't stop laughing proudly after Andrian finished his speech. "Excellent! My son-in-law is the best!" he declared, clapping loudly. "I'm proud of him!" Olivia, seated beside Ethan, offered a small smile, genuinely happy to see her husband in good spirits. Her eyes lingered on her daughter, who was now mingling with guests and young entrepreneurs. Although Aliana had barely sat down the entire night, Olivia was content. She was especially grateful that Aliana had taken her advice and attempted to reconcile with Andrian. "Aliana looks beautiful tonight," Olivia said softly, admiring her daughter. Ethan nodded while sipping his drink. "Of course. She's our daughter. The girl can be stubborn-but she knows when to play her cards right." Olivia beamed at the rare praise from Ethan. It was not often that he openly acknowledged Aliana as his daughter, not even when she was a child. Not far from where Aliana stood, Nathan Velor kept watching her discreetly. His sharp gaze followed her every movement, lit with intrigue. He observed how she and Andrian maintained a careful closeness-presenting intimacy without crossing boundaries. Nathan was impressed. Aliana remained composed and in control. More than that, there was no clear sign that their display of harmony was staged. Their body language matched; even their smiles seemed natural, masking any tension beneath the surface. Interesting, Nathan thought. I never expected my sister-in-law to catch Andrian's attention this quickly. He smiled faintly-not just impressed by Aliana's composure, but by how she had turned the situation in her favor. "It seems only Aliana can match my brother," Nathan muttered under his breath, loud enough for Veronica, standing beside him, to hear. "What do you mean?" Veronica turned to him, puzzled, glancing over at Andrian and Aliana. "Oh, nothing," Nathan replied quickly. "Brother isn't exactly a man who compromises easily, but tonight... he showed up with his legal wife." 1/4 8:18 pm SSD Chapter 33 20 vouchers Veronica nodded slowly, silently wondering the same. She had heard Bianca was hospitalized, and for years Bianca had been the center of Andrian's world. The two were inseparable. It was strange to see him shift his attention-even if it was toward his own wife. Elsewhere in the ballroom, several Titan Group board members whispered amongst themselves. Many had been convinced Andrian wouldn't show up-let alone with Aliana. Now, they were visibly unsettled by the couple's closeness. "Maybe it's time we realign," one board member muttered. "It seems Mr. Andrian is done playing." "Indeed. We may need to seriously consider switching sides," added an elderly director. "Siding with the Zavier family r be more beneficial now." "Tch! You're all disloyal," another older man snapped. "Have you forgotten how deeply Mr. Andrian cares for Miss Bianca? I'm certain this display with his wife is just a show. He'll return to Bianca eventually." "Oh? You're still smitten with that cunning woman?" "Shh! Watch your words. Don't forget, we've profited quite well because of her." Suddenly, silence fell across the ballroom. The main segment of the Velor Family Charity Gala was about to begin. The classical music stopped. All eyes turned toward the stage as the spotlight followed the evening's Master of Ceremonies, who stepped up to the podium. "Good evening, distinguished guests," the man's calm, authoritative voice echoed. "We now invite Mr. Andrian Velor and Mrs. Aliana Zavier Velor to the stage. In keeping with Velor family tradition, the symbolic opening of our charity auction will begin with the signing of the donation agreement." Andrian and Aliana made their way up to the stage. Camera flashes erupted-not just from the press but from guests eager to capture the moment. In his sharp tuxedo and her dazzling satin gown, the pair looked perfectly matched. Yet beneath their serene expressions, few could guess the quiet battlefield that lay between them. Aliana for their commitment to social causes." An assistant stepped onto the stage, and the first items were displayed on the rotating podium-limited edition diamond jewelry, shoes designed by a prestigious French fashion house, a couture dress created through a European artist collaboration, and a rare watch once owned by Lucian Velor in his youth. Bids came quickly from enthusiastic guests. Some items were sold for up to five times their market value. Everything moved swiftly and vibrantly. Until finally... "And now, the next item," announced the MC while motioning for the staff to bring a large painting onto the stage. "A classic piece, contemporary impressionist in style, with a unique palette knife technique. This is a rare work. Rumor has it the painter's identity remains unknown to this day-and this is the only one in existence." 2/4 8:18 pm S 0 Chapter 33 A spotlight illuminated the painting now displayed upright. Aliana, standing at the side of the stage with Andrian, was curious to see the next piece. TI 20 vouchers But as the cloth covering the painting was removed, her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened, locked onto the canvas. Aliana recognized every brushstroke, every shade in the palette, even the slight accidental flaw on the lower left corner. This was not a stranger's work-she knew the painting. It was Alicia's. It was the last painting Alicia completed before leaving for college. Alicia had once dreamed of becoming a famous art But under pressure from Ethan, who insisted she focus on business, Alicia had buried her dream and enrolled in a ban program to meet her father's expectations. That painting had once been displayed in a small gallery and sold for a high price to a mysterious collector. Aliana remembered it vividly-because she had personally delivered it to the gallery after Alicia, disheartened, decided to let it go. At the time, Alicia had said, "If someone buys this painting... it means there's still someone in the world who believes in me. But Aliana had never found out who bought it. And now, somehow, that painting had returned-displayed right here, at the heart of the Velor family's event. Andrian, beside her, immediately noticed the change in his wife's expression. "What is it?" he whispered quietly. Aliana answered without breaking her gaze. "That painting... Alicia painted it." Andrian frowned. "It belonged to my sister," Aliana said more clearly. "Five million dollars." 3/4 8:18 pm Chapter 33 All heads turned. 20 vouchers Andrian stared at her, stunned-but there was no time to ask. Whispers erupted around the room-some in admiration, some in suspicion-but no one dared to challenge the offer made by Mrs. Aliana Velor herself. The MC turned toward the family's table. "Will the highest bid remain with Mrs. Aliana Velor?" A pause. No one bid higher. "This painting... goes to Mrs. Aliana!" declared the MC, closing the session with a round of applause. Aliana stood still. Her face showed no smile-but her eyes burned with resolve. She wouldn't let anyone else lay hands on Alicia's only remaining legacy. 8:18 pm Chapter 34 Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...