"Chaya, there's no need to be angry. If you can befriend David Yales daughter, I'm sure she can help you connect with her brother. What do you think?" Anne Garner asked.
Chaya had just finished touching up her makeup, appearing neat, but her heart was filled with resentment towards Emmy. "Yeah, that's right. I just have to get into her good graces."
David Yale was accompanied by his wife as they gracefully made their way towards the podium, where the MC handed the microphone to Mr. David.
"My daughter has been away from us for quite some time due to her studies and career. That's why I'm hosting this banquet to officially introduce my little princess to the world. So, I welcome my daughter, Emris Yales, to the podium. Darling, please come forward."
As the crowd eagerly anticipated the appearance of the Yales daughter, all eyes were stunned by the sight of the graceful woman making her way gracefully to the podium.
"Oh my God! Isn't that the woman Dawson Yales brought with him?"
"So, she's the Yales daughter. No wonder Dawson was so protective of her."
"It's no surprise she was close to Dawson's cousins—they were her own cousins too."
"This is unbelievable! Chaya... she's the Yales daughter," Anne exclaimed, unable to believe the scene unfolding before her
Chaya was dumbfounded, unable to believe what was unfolding before her. The woman she had once referred to as a "slut" turned out to be a Yales.
But Chaya quickly replaced her shock with an air of arrogance. "Hmph... She might be a Yales, but once my dad signs the contract with Makdews Corporation, I'll surpass her in popularity. You know how significant that deal is."
Anne was so happy for Chaya that she couldn't contain her excitement. "Wow, that's awesome, Chaya! If your dad gets the deal, you can show this spoiled princess her rightful place."
But they both forgot who they were talking about. This was Emris Yales, the little princess of David Yales. She didn't need to exert much effort to be popular; she didn't have to wait for her father to sign a deal to gain popularity. If she wanted the world to know about her, it would happen in the blink of an eye.
Still smiling, Emris Yales approached her parents at the podium. As she drew near, the striking resemblance she shared with her mother became apparent.
With pride, Eldora Yales announced, "Everyone, please meet my beloved daughter, Princess Emris Yales."
Emris took a step forward to introduce herself, her gaze settling on the crowd. She couldn't fathom why her family had organized a banquet just to welcome her home. All she desired was to return home and embrace MG until she drifted off to sleep. She was aware of his reluctance to let her venture out alone. With a nonchalant tone, she addressed the guests, "Hello, everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you all." She said trying her best not to show how weary she was already.
Whispers persisted as she fell silent. "So, she's the young miss of the Yales family. Quite impressive."
"What's with that tone? Is she already weary of the party?"
"I believe so. If I were her, I'd be over the moon that my parents threw a party for me."
"Well, she's the pampered princess of the Yales family, or should I say, spoiled princess. So it's no surprise if she doesn't appear as excited as you anticipated," the lady chuckled as she explained to her friends.
Dawson, who happened to be nearby, heard this. He didn't know whether to laugh or reprimand them for their remark. 'His sister spoiled? If only they knew what she was capable of,' he thought to himself.
"As we all know the identity of the Yale's daughter, let the party begin," the MC announced.
Leaving the podium with their daughter, Eldora Yales caught sight of her bandaged palm.
"Why the bandage, sweetie?" Eldora asked, carefully taking Emris' hands.
"I accidentally cut myself with a glass, Mom. There's no need to worry much about it," Emris answered. She hugged her parents, assuring them she was okay before she left them. Making her way towards her brothers and cousin, she bumped into a little boy.
"Ouch... ouch," said the boy as he fell on his buttocks.
"Oh my, are you oka..." Emris staggered back as she saw the face in front of her. He was back...? But how?
"Tyre..." She wanted to call out, but she stopped herself when she saw those watery blue eyes staring blankly at her. It was then she knew it wasn't him.
'Who am I kidding, how could he still be alive?' she thought to herself.
As he noticed the lady in front of him, stared blankly, he cried out, "I'm hurt." Tears welled up in his eyes as he continued.
The words jolted her from her thoughts as she noticed the child in front of her, clearly nursing a sprained ankle from the recent fall.
"I'm so sorry, Pequeño (means little one in Spanish)... I didn't mean to be rude just now," Emris apologized, bending down to lift the little boy up.
As she wiped away the tears from his eyes, she gave him a gentle peck on the cheek. "Are you okay, Campeón (means Champ in Spanish) ?" she asked, caressing his hair.
Shaking his head to indicate he wasn't okay, he clung tightly to her neck, resting his head on her shoulder.
"Mommy."
Emris was stunned for a moment before gently attempting to pry his hands from her neck. "I'm not your mommy, Pequeño," she softly explained, but her attempts proved futile, so she simply let him be.
His actions left her speechless. Besides his eyes, his reaction to pain mirrored that of the person she remembered.
She took a step forward asking him some questions. "Okay, Pequeño, what's your name?"
"I'm Tyler Quinn and you are?" Tyler answered
"I'm Emris Yales but you can call me Emmy." she continued
"Emmy, your eyes are beautiful."he complimented
She gave his cheeks a gentle peck upon hearing the compliment. "Thanks, Campeón," she said as she made her way over to her brothers. She couldn't quite pinpoint why, but she found herself already quite fond of this little kid, perhaps because he reminded her of someone.
"Emmy, who's the little man?" Xavier asked his sister
"Oh, this is Tyler Quinn. We bumped into each other on my way here." she answered.
"Hello handsome uncle." Tyler said
Eldoris chuckled patting his head as she said, "Awwn he's so cute."
Emris felt someone's gaze upon her, and when she turned, she met Dawson's penetrating stare. She could sense his thoughts without a word spoken. With a subtle shake of her head, she silently urged him to abandon those thoughts.
Returning her focus to the child in her arms, she inquired, "Tyler, would you like some snacks?"
"Yes pls...." he answered with a smile.
"Okay," she replied, excusing herself from the gathering and heading toward the table filled with an array of snacks.
Approaching the table, Emris settled Tyler onto a chair before making her way over. However, upon reaching it, confusion gripped her; she wasn't sure which snacks Tyler preferred. Opting for treats she knew children typically enjoyed, she returned to Tyler with her selection.
"I wasn't sure of your preference, so I chose them randomly," Emris explained, setting the plate of snacks on his lap.
"Wow, thanks Emmy. These are my favorite, especially this one," he exclaimed, pointing to the muffin in front of him.
Emris was taken aback. "You mean you love muffins with cranberries?"
"Yes, of course. Who doesn't?" Tyler answered with his mouth full.
Emris was speechless upon hearing this. "What are the odds?" she muttered to herself, looking at the child in front of her.
"Tyler, how's your ankle? Does it still hurt?" Emris asked as she knelt down, taking his leg into her hands.
"Yeah.... but the pain will subside." he said
"Don't worry, you won't feel any pain once I'm through with what I want to do," Emris said, looking at him as she rubbed her palms together before massaging his ankle with a special technique.
Finished with her massage, Emris sat on the chair opposite Tyler. "So, do you still feel any pain?"
Standing up, he didn't feel any pain; even the swelling had subsided. It was as if he had never sprained his ankle. "No, my ankle is fine. Thanks, Emmy," Tyler said with a beaming smile.
"You're welcome Campeón." Emris said patting his head
"So, how did you learn how to do what you did with my ankle?"
"I learnt it because of someone." Emris smiled as she remembered something.
"So, where are your Mommy and Daddy, Campeón?" she asked as she fed him more snacks.
Tyler pointed to a man in a black suit. "Daddy is over there, but Mommy is not here," he replied sadly.
"And why is that Pequeño?" Emris asked
"Mommy left me alone with daddy when I was little and she ran away." Tyler replied
"Emmy do you mind me calling you Mommy." he continued looking at Emris.
"That would be inappropriate, and your dad won't like that. So just call me Emmy instead, okay?" she said to Tyler, patting his head.
"Okay," he said, biting his lip and looking downcast.
In the corner, a man stared intensely at Emris and Tyler. He was Tyler's father. His mind flashed back to the moment he first laid eyes on her."
<<<<<<<<<<
He watched as the lady made her way to her friends. Devin found himself captivated by her. Though he couldn't quite explain it, he felt a strong pull towards her, especially her enchanting hazel eyes, which seemed oddly familiar. Despite knowing that many people had hazel eyes, hers, coupled with her smile, evoked a sense of déjà vu. Yet, he hesitated to jump to conclusions, unwilling to assume she was that person.
"Hello Mr Quinn." Mr Hutton Davis, a man in his late fifties greeted distracting Devin from his thoughts.
"Hello, Mr. Davis," he replied. In an instant, his expression turned cold as he noticed the woman next to Hutton gazing at him with lustful eyes.
"This is my daughter, Becca Davis," Hutton continued, noticing Devin's reaction to his daughter.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Quinn," Becca said, stepping closer to Devin, who grew irritated by the strong scent of her perfume.
"If there's nothing else, I'd prefer to be left alone," Devin said to Mr. Davis, not even acknowledging Becca.
"Oh, in that case, I'll be on my way then. Becca, my darling, please accompany Mr. Quinn and ensure he enjoys the party," Hutton instructed his daughter.
"Ok Dad" Becca replied winking at her father who was leaving.
Seeing through the father and daughter's scheme, Devin felt a surge of anger and was about to speak when the sound of shattering glass diverted his attention. Turning towards the disturbance, his gaze landed on a woman approaching Chaya Smith with bloodied hands. Intrigued by the unfolding events and concerned about her injuries, he took a step forward, only to find his own hands ensnared by another. Glancing back, he saw Becca Davis, and his anger flared instantly.
"Keep your filthy hands to yourself." He said to her with same cold gaze.
Becca withdrew her hands, sensing she had upset the man before her. Feeling uncomfortable standing there with him, she took a step back, deciding to seek out her friends.
Returning his attention to the commotion, he noticed the men from the Yales family rallying around the woman, particularly Dawson Yales.
"Who's she?" He inquired, glancing at his brother, Dean Quinn. Devin suspected she was with Dawson Yales, possibly his partner, but he was curious as to why the other men from the Yales family were gathered around her, seemingly taking her side.
Dean was taken aback by his brother's question. Devin had always shown little interest in women, especially those who were already in relationships. Prior to Tyler's birth, their family had entertained the notion that Devin might be interested in his own gender.
"I'm not sure, she might be a foreigner. Let me ask Elijah to gather some information about her," Dean Quinn replied, pulling out his phone to snap a photo of Emmy before sending it to Elijah with instructions. He chuckled to himself, deciding to tease his sister about their brother's newfound interest in a woman.
"I've sent it to him, let's just wait for a while." He told Devin.
"Hmmm." Devin replied his eyes still on the Emmy.
"Ahhh..." Within minutes, Elijah sent information about Emmy, but Dean found himself puzzled by the details, unable to contain his surprise as he exclaimed.
Devin grew curious as to why Dean exclaimed, prompting him to swiftly snatch the phone from his brother's hands. "What's this? Has Elijah suddenly become unreliable?"
The information before them was simply blank. There was nothing on the net about her, which made Devin think it was the fault of his PR team.
"Devin, I'm not sure it's Elijah's fault. You and I both know how efficient Elijah is with any task given to him," Dean explained.
"This could only mean one thing: she doesn't want the world to know about her. I also heard from someone outside that she's from a royal family. Even Dawson confirmed it," Dean continued, intrigued by the identity of the lady Dawson brought.
"Are there any other powerful royal families out there aside from the Lowe's?" Devin asked. The lack of information about this lady only heightened his curiosity about her identity.
"None that I have any idea of." Dean answered
Glancing toward the gathering, he observed Dawson Yales' cousins escorting the lady to the washroom and returning a few minutes later. He noticed her palm was bandaged.
"Who could..." He intended to say something, but his attention was diverted by the MC. His gaze shifted towards the podium, where he discovered that the woman accompanying Dawson Yales was, in fact, the Yales' hidden daughter.
After introducing herself, Emris Yales left the podium and walked toward a group of people. She accidentally bumped into Tyler Quinn, his son. Devin was shocked when Tyler allowed her to hold him, knowing Tyler had autism and was typically averse to strangers; even the household servants rarely approached him for fear of triggering a tantrum. Wanting to approach them because he sensed Tyler was upset, Devin hesitated as Tyler signaled for him to stay back.
"Devin, Tyler letting the Young Miss of the Yales family hold him is quite intriguing," Dean Quinn remarked.
He simply nodded and watched the pair closely. Before long, he noticed Tyler gesturing towards him, prompting the lady to look in his direction.
He made the decision to approach them. Getting close to them he overheard Tyler asking Miss Emris if he could call her Mommy, to which she tactfully declined. In the next moment, Tyler called out to him, causing him to hasten his pace.
"Daddy, Daddy you're here." Tyler said beaming with smile
"Meet Emmy I bumped into her and she brought me here for snacks." he continued
"Nice to meet you Miss Emris." Devin said
"Hello Mr Quinn." Emris replied
"You can call me Devin by the way" he continued
"Ok Mr Quinn."She said
"Thank you for keeping my son company." Devin told her still wanting to correct her on his name.
"No problem Mr Quinn, he's a nice kid."she said patting Tyler's head smiling.
Devin was eager to prolong their conversation, but the soft strains of music signaled the beginning of the dance. Glancing at Emris, he inquired, "Would you care to dance?"
"Of course," she replied, taking his hands, and earning a wink from Tyler.