Saturday, at Ivory Towers,

Aveline thanked the helpers who had assisted with the arrangements. She stood at the entrance of the hall, quietly absorbing the final look.

She had shifted the couch around, added long tables, brought in a new set of chairs, and handpicked crockeries from the Laurent mansion. Everything was arranged with meticulous care, her signature grace stitched into every detail.

Martha's smile was wide as she watched Aveline, because this was nothing short of a miracle. Isabella's arrival at Alaric's space was once unimaginable, and here Aveline had made it happen.

Martha checked the time, urging, "Ms. Laurent, thirty minutes more before everyone arrives. You need to get ready."

Aveline hadn't even reacted when the doorbell rang. Her face lit up. "It must be Mom, early to help me."She skipped to the door, only to freeze when it opened.

The Lancasters.

Isabella looked exquisite in her afternoon tea attire, poised in refinement. Edward, beside her, was no less dignified and commanding. Seraphina, too, was beautiful, though her dress leaned toward a style too aged for her youth.

Aveline wasn't ready. After two hours of straight work, still in her lounge wear, she wasn't prepared to stand before them like this. She forced herself to breathe, willing composure.

Edward broke the silence first, his voice warm. "Excitement brought us early."

"We apologize for it," Isabella added smoothly.

Neither revealed the truth, that Seraphina had insisted on leaving early because of weekend traffic. They regretted not stalling time outside, seeing Aveline like this, flushed yet luminous.

Isabella, gracious as ever, continued, "I thought I could help you and maybe teach something you might have missed."

Aveline stepped aside, gesturing toward the hall. "It's totally alright. I'm eager to learn if I have missed something."

Seraphina had expected chaos, a crowd of staff being ordered around. Instead, she was dazed.

The penthouse, though modern, bore Aveline's signature touch. The wall-to-ceiling windows opened to the city like a painted backdrop. Two long tables stretched elegantly, seating twelve to fourteen, their placement precise yet inviting. White lacy fabric fell in perfect folds, porcelain trimmed with gold, gleamed under afternoon light.

Tiered stands carried delicacies. Savories, scones, sweet bites. Isabella admired the delicate design on macarons, and Edward was amused at the fruit cut into curious shapes. Crystal glasses with amber tint caught the sun, scattering warm glows across the tables. Fresh flowers, palettes matched, bloomed throughout the hall, while tall green plants softened corners.

Aveline let Isabella take it all in before saying gently, "I didn't choose outdoors because of an alert of snowfall."

"Your attention to detail is splendid," Isabella exclaimed. She could tell immediately that Aveline was careful with every detail, as though it wasn't just an afternoon tea but an event.

"Thank you…" Aveline smiled, nodding toward Martha, who brought in glasses of warm water. "Martha will take care of you while I quickly get fresh and come."

Isabella plucked a rose stem from her hair, nodding elegantly. "Please take your time."

And just like that, Seraphina was ignored. A taunt pressed against her tongue, but she swallowed it whole. The image of a changed woman mattered more.

She was still watching Aveline retreat upstairs when the main door unlocked again. Alaric walked in.

Seraphina froze at his cold gaze. Instinctively, she stepped aside, prey avoiding predator.

Once again invisible. Alaric spoke first to Edward, offered a mere nod to Isabella, and passed Seraphina without a glance.

Fifteen minutes later, the couple descended together.

Aveline was unmatchable in grace. Her pale dress flowed like a watercolor painting come alive. Florals bloomed at the hem, rippling with each step as though she carried a garden. A pillow-box hat sat at a delicate angle, butterfly earrings glittered, pink heels whispered on the stairs, her ribboned bag swaying lightly.

Alaric was changed into another suit, aloof yet attentive. He offered his arm, lowered his head to whisper something that curved her lips into a softer smile.

It was simple and quiet, yet no one could look away from them

The doorbell rang again. Martha moved to open it.

Giselle and her daughter, Elara, entered in modest yet pretty dresses. "Grandma…" Elara ran straight to Isabella, but Edward intercepted, lifting her easily."Grandpa!" Elara hugged him tight, whispering into his ear, "Grandma looks so pretty…"

But soon her gaze caught Aveline and Alaric. She wriggled free, ran across the hall. "Uncle Ric, I heard you tricked Aunt Aveline into coming back to you!"

Aveline squatted, giggling, and welcomed the child's embrace.

Alaric's eyes narrowed at Giselle, who quickly averted and went to Isabella and Edward.

Seraphina, watching, felt the ground shift beneath her. Aveline was only Alaric's girlfriend, yet she stood there like family. Not in name, but in affection, in belonging. Whereas Seraphina, a daughter-in-law, remained an outsider.

Charles, Henry, and Margaret arrived shortly after. The room was filled with joy, questions, and laughter. They asked about Giselle's absent husband, but no one turned to Seraphina. No one asked after Nicholas. She was invisible. And Nicholas had refused to come, knowing why.

Her throat burned. She felt Aveline ignoring her on purpose, trying to trigger her into showing her true colors. She wasn't going to hand Aveline the victory.

Instead, with careful composure, she turned to the Laurents. "Chairman Laurent, CEO Laurent. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm Seraphina Astor, daughter-in-law of the Lancasters."

Their gazes burned, though their expressions stayed neutral.

Her tone softened further. "I want to apologize for the wrongs I've done. I was reckless, and I've learnt my lesson. I don't want to be the old me who hurts and disappoints people. I'm trying to change, and I truly hope you will see that in me." She bowed her head.

Margaret glanced at Elara. She restrained herself, unwilling to darken the air in front of a child.

Charles snickered and walked aside. He believed none of it. To him, people didn't change so easily. He only wanted to warn Aveline.

Henry clenched his jaw. Aveline had acted against Seraphina, Alaric had kept Astors in check, and Edward and Isabella were present. Like it or not, he had to acknowledge her.

"Forgiveness comes naturally if you change for good," Henry said flatly before turning away, signaling nothing more to add.

Seraphina's hands curled at her sides. There was no warmth and no acceptance by the Laurents. Despite bowing this low, she hadn't expected them to treat her any differently. The bitterness stung.

The air grew heavy. Aveline's voice rose like balm. "Shall we begin the tea ceremony?"

Isabella smiled faintly and began explaining the etiquette of a royal tea ceremony. Though never belonging to royalty, the Laurents had also made etiquette a cornerstone of their grooming. Everyone followed attentively.

Seated between Edward and Isabella, Elara insisted on sharing their cups to sip her warm milk. She devoured each delicacy with curiosity, asking questions about whatever she didn't know, and her grandparents patiently answered with warmth.

Alaric nudged Aveline, chin tilted toward her parents.

Aveline turned and saw them. Her parents were smiling in genuine delight, watching Edward and Isabella laugh with Elara. Their faces said it all, they were enamored by the little girl.

Despite knowing Alaric was teasing, Aveline leaned closer with a coy smile. "You want to make a baby tonight?" she whispered. "Why not?"

Alaric's gaze darkened, smug as she sipped her tea. "After all these sweets, we'll need to work extra hard."

Aveline bit back a grin. "Right… I should sweat you out. I can't let those abs disappear behind the sugar."

His reply was low and certain. "A pity you won't be able to walk after evening."

Thinking of doing it in daylight curled the heat in her core. But her cheeks flushed at the memory of trembling legs last time. "You know, I'm already tired after arranging everything," she murmured, half pleading to show mercy on her.

Alaric chuckled. She always innocently made herself a way out.

The sound drew attention, and everyone glanced toward him. Seraphina swallowed the bitterness and seized her chance to squeeze the lemon.

"Aveline truly brings out the best in Alaric," her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Lancaster added nods in response because they had never seen him smile and at ease.

Seraphina continued, "She deserves happiness. Damien Ashford never deserved her."

Damien Ashford.

The pink drained from Aveline's cheeks. Her hand trembled faintly as she set the teacup down. She revealed nothing on her face, but her mind raced. Recalling every incident whenever she had imagined somebody as Damien.

Now a new fear prickled her skin. What if she imagined somebody there as him again?

The silence thinned until Margaret's voice cut through, sharp as glass.

"There are more wicked people than good ones in this world, my dear." Her tone carried weight, her gaze narrowing on Seraphina. "It's best not to remind us of those we've already chosen to forget."

The remark settled like a dagger in Seraphina's gut.

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