Sylvie Lynch wore a genuinely worried expression for Reese Lynch, as if she were truly standing up for her.
But upon closer listening, it beca apparent that she was subtly insinuating there was sothing fishy about Ann Vaughn’s background. If Chief Lynch and Mrs. Linden truly accepted her as their goddaughter, Reese’s position in the Lynch Family could beco precarious.
Soone else might have been swayed by her words and gone through every possible effort to ruin this recognition banquet.
After all, Reese was the Lynch Family’s biological daughter; how could she not handle just a goddaughter?
Unfortunately, Sylvie had it wrong.
If Reese were really that brainless, she wouldn’t have noticed anything unusual about Jude Halloway and his mother before giving birth, and wouldn’t have left herself an escape route.
"Enough." Reese impatiently furrowed her brows, "My parents made Annie their goddaughter because she deserves it. I don’t feel upset about it, and no one else thinks it’s a joke, so why are you the only one with so many thoughts?"
Her words were too straightforward, causing Sylvie’s smile to freeze slightly.
"Cousin, I was just concerned for you..."
"What did you call ?"
"C-cousin."
"Since you know I’m your cousin, do you need to teach how to do things?"
"..."
Sylvie’s face turned green, and she bit her teeth hard.
When did Reese beco so sharp-tongued, not yielding an inch?
And was she truly not worried about that goddaughter riding above her and contending with her for family assets later on?!
Sylvie couldn’t believe Reese would be foolish enough not to see this. Perhaps her current tolerance was just a facade, and deep down, she might actually hate Ann Vaughn. She probably didn’t say anything simply because of Chief Lynch and Mrs. Linden.
If she could help Reese voice this grievance, maybe...
With this thought, Sylvie’s face once again broke into a smile, sweetly shaking Reese’s arm, "Cousin, don’t be mad. I apologize for my careless words just now."
Reese kept a calm expression, didn’t echo her words, but instead lowered her head to blacklist Jude Halloway’s number again, then said.
"Let’s go over there first."
Sylvie’s eyes flickered slightly, smiling in agreent.
Not far away, Ann Vaughn had been gone for a mont, when Dean Hale deliberately started putting on a show with a few old gentlen.
"I’m suffering the consequences now for neglecting my health when I was young. Now that I’ve aged, each day I’m paying the price for it. In the past, I could hold a gun and squat in a ditch for a day and a night, now staying a bit longer in the office makes my back ache." Dean Hale sighed, but was actually quite pleased internally.
Thanks to the dicinal wine Ann Vaughn sent, even his old ailnts were healed now, and he felt much more relaxed.
"Oh, cut it out," the old gentleman beside him joked, "Who doesn’t know you just climbed Crestfall Mountain the other day, reaching the top in one breath without panting? With a body this fit, you could easily live several more decades."
"That can’t be; Old Heston was hospitalized for over half a year because of a back injury last year, and it took him another half a year to get back on his feet. The doctor advised him against any strenuous activities. How would he dare to hike?"
"Old Heston, just admit it. Did you photoshop your friend’s picture? We’ve known each other for years, we won’t laugh even if you co clean."
"Yeah, yeah, what’s there to hide!"
Dean Hale imdiately retorted, "If you doubt it, just check my WeChat step counter from that day, okay? I’m just casually lanting here, do you honestly think I’m on my last legs?"
Saying so, Dean Hale stood up and bounced a couple of tis, proving to them that he was perfectly healthy, fit and free from any ailnts.
The old gentlen showed visible surprise.
They were well aware of how severe Dean Hale’s illness had been before, to the point where walking was out of the question, even standing was tough, and pain accompanied lying down.
He had improved now, but prolonged walking or sitting could still lead to a relapse, let alone such vigorous bouncing.
"Who helped cure your ailnt?"
"My issues aren’t as severe as yours, but when I do fall ill, it feels like half of my old life is lost. If I could get cured, I’d laugh myself awake from a dream."
"Old Heston, are you kidding us?"
With his integrity at stake, Dean Hale couldn’t stand their disbelief any longer, and laid out everything about the dicinal wine.
Thus, when Ann Vaughn returned from the restroom, she was t with a series of expectant and eager gazes.
Ann Vaughn was stunned, was there sothing on her face...?
Before the old gentlen could say anything, Reese and Sylvie ca over.
"Annie." Reese walked over with a smile, greeting the old gentlen in front of her.
The old gentlen responded warmly, nodding in acknowledgnt.
"Miss Lynch," Ann Vaughn called out.
Considering this was a recognition banquet and there were many elders present, Ann Vaughn had applied only light makeup. Her appearance was clean and fresh, and her attire was simple and elegant, making her seem very well-behaved.
Seeing her, Reese couldn’t help but smile internally and gently patted her head, "Good girl, it won’t be long before you’ll be calling sister."
Most only-child daughters would wish for a sibling to play and bond with them, and Reese was no exception.
But she never expected this wish to ever co true.
Ann Vaughn suddenly noticed that whether Cyrus Hawthorne, Eli Sheridan, or Reese, they all seed to enjoy patting her head.
Could it be she had a very pat-able look on her face??
Before she could figure it out, a slightly sharp voice suddenly interjected, "So you’re the goddaughter uncle and aunt recognized? I don’t see anything special, you seem quite typical."
This was to mock that Ann Vaughn had nothing apart from her looks.
Reese frowned, just about to reprimand Sylvie when Ann Vaughn held her hand in place, indicating she could handle it herself.
Ann Vaughn glanced at Sylvie, examining her before asking, "And you are?"
Sylvie proudly straightened her chest, "I’m Sylvie Lynch."
As if her na was sothing extraordinary.
"Oh, do you have any pointers for ?" Ann Vaughn asked with cool eyes.
"I wouldn’t call it pointers. I’m just curious what exceptional qualities you have that caught my uncle and aunt’s favor." Sylvie glanced around the room and finally set her sights on the piano on stage, her eyes lighting up, "Would you dare to compete with , let’s see who plays the piano better!"
Upon hearing this, Reese couldn’t bear it any longer, "Sylvie Lynch, don’t go overboard!"
Everyone in the Lynch family knew that Sylvie had been learning piano since childhood. By the age of ten, she could stand on an international piano competition’s stage, winning nurous accolades, hailed as a "prodigy."
Let alone the fact that she was accepted into The Valerius Conservatory of Music at an exception at 16 and by 18, she could perform independently in concert halls, her prowess beyond doubt.
Going up against her in a piano battle was an act of giving her the victory on a silver platter.
Looking at Sylvie’s full-of-confidence deanor, Ann Vaughn’s eyes glinted slightly, then she replied with a smile, "I can compete with you, but I have a condition."
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