In the room, Xia Zhiwan had finished dressing up. Her shoulders were slightly exposed as she wore a gown with a layer of diamond-studded light gauze. It was extremely luxurious and beautiful.
She was supposed to show up proudly, yet the beautiful Xia Zhiwan held a stone as she bit her lips. She then put the stone back onto the dressing table.
Madame Xia came forward and asked Xia Zhiwan, "Daughter, what's the matter?"
Xia Zhiwan held her mother's hand with a sad expression. "Mom, aren't I supposed to awaken the secret bloodline ability during my coming of age ceremony today? Why don't I feel anything? Why can't I see anything?"
Madame Xia forced a smile. "Maybe it's still early, so let's wait a little longer."
Xia Zhiwan looked down from the window. The guests were already getting impatient as they waited for her to show up.
"Every generation's ability would always awaken on this day, but it's already 11:00 PM now… Mom, tell me honestly, am I your biological child?"
Madame Xia's expression changed immediately and said confidently, "I swear that you're my biological child!"
Only then did Xia Zhiwan feel relieved. However, her father, Xia Dengfeng, opened the door suddenly and stated sternly, "How can you leave the guests waiting for a few hours? Come out now!"
Her father had always been strict and would not take 'no' for an answer. Thus, Xia Zhiwan could only bite the bullet and go downstairs while still maintaining a smile on her face.
When everyone saw Xia Zhiwan walking down slowly like a fairy, all of their focus was on her. She was also bombarded with questions.
A reporter came forward to interview her.
"After you take over Summer, how will you lead the brand?"
Xia Zhiwan answered calmly, "I'll give you an answer during the press conference later."
The reporter continued to ask, "You're the Xia family's only daughter, so your ability will surely be strong. We'd like to witness it as well, so can you please demonstrate it?"
The Xia family could dominate the jewelry industry for so many years because they had awakened a secret ability. The first child's bloodline would be the strongest, while the other children's bloodline would be much weaker. Therefore, only the first child could take over the business.
During the coming of age ceremony, the Xia family would also allow the successor to participate in the corporation's affairs in the jewelry industry.
It could be said that it was the time of glory for them after awakening the ability during the coming of age ceremony.
Even without the guests' requests, it was a given that the successor should demonstrate their ability. This was to convince the elites of the branch families and the corporation.
Seeing that Xia Zhiwan was not speaking, a man in a white tuxedo suddenly appeared in the crowd. He came forward and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders like a guardian. "Zhiwan must be tired after awakening her ability, so you guys shouldn't scare her."
It was He Tianhao, who was a son of a big family. He had been pursuing Xia Zhiwan since they were in high school. He appeared deliberately to propose to her on this day.
"Zhiwan, it'll be hard for you to shoulder the responsibilities of the Xia family, so we can get engaged first. We'll only get married whenever you're willing."
Seeing He Tianhao get down on one knee and protect her anxious self affectionately, Xia Zhiwan was moved and accepted his proposal.
"Thank you Tianhao, I'm willing to marry you."
A round of applause sounded as everyone witnessed the birth of a couple.
He Tianhao embraced Xia Zhiwan as he looked at the time. It was already 11:40 PM, so he encouraged her, "Zhiwan, it's almost midnight, so just demonstrate your ability to them."
Xia Zhiwan, who was still drowning in love, suddenly turned pale and hesitated. She was then pushed to the counter filled with jewels and rough stones so she could start demonstrating.
However, the daughter, who had always been cute, intelligent, gentle, and generous, seemed to become a coward. "Can we continue waiting for a while?"
Naturally, the guests who had been waiting for a long time would not allow it. They immediately started to complain and question, "Elder Miss, could it be that you haven't awakened the ability at all?"
Xia Zhiwan's face was pale, and she said softly, "I indeed can't tell which one of these rough stones is an actual jewel."
"Pfft… Hahaha… So that's the reason!"
"The daughter of the Xia family turned out to be trash!"
Mockery ensued…
Xia Zhiwan tried to refute, "I may just need some time. I feel some warmth in my eyes…"
"Never mind, it's already midnight. It should've awakened a long time ago."
"Even if she was an illegitimate daughter, she should still have some ability. Looks like the Elder Miss is just some random kid…"
The guests who were the Xia family's business rivals kept mocking Xia Zhiwan. There were also vicious backstabbers.
Their gossiping made the expressions of everyone in the Xia family worse. Xia Dengfeng immediately rushed to the counter, gritted his teeth, and questioned, "Xia Zhiwan, have you not awakened your ability at all?"
"Dad, I…"
Xia Zhiwan was so frightened that she could not say anything. She was then dragged upstairs by her angry father and thrown into the room. This way, she would not continue getting mocked and lose the Xia family's reputation!