The Velor Family Charity G was a grand sess. 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 weed with ssical music, soft lighting, andvish 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 thete 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 wee speech, and personally greeted key guests on behalf of the Velor family.

Andrian was apanied by his younger brother Nathan Velor, and their mother, Veronica. However, their presence didn’t attract much attention, as Veronicai, /ibeing 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 andck of visible distance–despite recent rumors–captivated the room. They asionally spoke quietly to one another, and at one point, Andrian gently smoothed Aliana’s hair. These moments sparked spection 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 stopughing proudly after Andrian finished his speech.

“Excellent! My son–inw is the best!” he dered, pping 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 y 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 remainedposed and in control. More than that, there was no clear sign that their disy of harmony was staged. Their bodynguage matched; even their smiles seemed natural, masking any tension beneath the surface.

Interesting, Nathan thought. I never expected my sister–inw to catch Andrian’s attention this quickly.

He smiled faintly–not just impressed by Aliana’sposure, 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, ncing over at Andrian and Aliana.

“Oh, nothing,” Nathan replied quickly. “Brother isn’t exactly a man whopromises easily, but tonight… he showed up with his legal wife.”

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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 ying.”

“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 disy 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 G was about to begin. The ssical 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 shes 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 thaty between them.

A Velor family notary stepped forward, handing over a sleek ck folder containing official documents. Andrian signed without hesitation. Aliana paused briefly, then added her signature.

The agreement dered that all proceeds from the auction would be donated to three children’s foundations and two orphanages supported by the Velor family.

Apuse echoed as the two of thempleted the symbolic signing. The MC once again took control of the atmosphere.

“The charity auction is now officially open. Thank you to Mr. Andrian and Mrs. Aliana for theirmitment to social causes.”

An assistant stepped onto the stage, and the first items were disyed on the rotating podium–limited edition diamond jewelry, shoes designed by a prestigious French fashion house, a couture dress created through a European artist coboration, 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 arge painting onto the stage. “A ssic 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.”

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A spotlight illuminated the painting now disyed upright.

Aliana, standing at the side of the stage with Andrian, was curious to see the next piece.

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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 idental w on the lower left corner. This was not a stranger’s work–she knew the painting. It was Alicia’s.

It was thest painting Aliciapleted before leaving for college. Alicia had once dreamed of bing ia /ifamous 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 disyed 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–disyed 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. “How did it end up here?”

The MC continued describing the painting: its technique, its historical context, and added that a “private collector” had donated it as an expression of love for local art.

But for Aliana, those words were like a de.

A private collector? Who? Why no name? Why no permission?

Her eyes scanned the board members, looking for any suspicious reaction. But everyone appeared engrossed in the auction -or pretending to be.

From across the room, Nathan noticed the shift in Aliana’s expression and immediately sensed something was wrong. He became curious about what could unsettle someone usually soposed.

“I need to know who donated that painting,” Aliana whispered again, holding down the storm in her chest.

Andrian looked at her seriously. “Is it that important to you?”

“Very,” Aliana replied firmly.

Andrian kept his eyes on her. He was surprised to see the usually unshakable Aliana so visibly affected.

The bidding for the painting began. The opening price was steep. Just as one VIP guest raised a hand to make an offer, Aliana beat them to it with a quiet but clear voice.

“Five million dors.”

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All heads turned.

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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!” dered the MC, closing the session with a round of apuse.

Aliana stood still. Her face showed no smile–but her eyes burned with resolve. She wouldn’t let anyone elsey hands on Alicia’s only remaining legacy.

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