Chapter 669:

After she spoke, Elyse noticed weird looks on the faces of those around her, particularly from the man who had asked the question. He now seemed unsure of what to say.

Confused, Elyse asked, “What’s the matter? Is there a problem?”

The man, with a complicated look, questioned, “Pearce brought you back. Didn’t he tell you?”

Bewildered, Elyse responded, “Tell me what?”

“Your grandma, Felicia, despises violins. She has banned anyone on the estate from playing or even listening to them. In the Benson household, ‘violin’ is practically a taboo word.”

Elyse was taken aback. She was completely unaware of this, and Pearce had never mentioned it.

With this revelation, she scanned the crowd for Pearce. Seeing him engaged in conversation, she made her way toward him to inquire about the situation.

Before she could reach him, however, Felicia made her entrance.

Felicia moved confidently to the center of the garden, leaning on a cane; a young girl supported her on the other side.

Amid the assembly, Elyse watched her grandmother with curiosity. Felicia’s silver hair was marked by deep wrinkles on her forehead and around her eyes. For the event, she wore a dark red silk blouse, and her hair was carefully styled, tightly wound at the back of her head.

Despite her gentle smile, Felicia exuded a strong sense of authority.

Elyse found herself thinking of Enzo, sensing that both Felicia and Enzo were imposing figures.

Elyse quietly observed Felicia, who was also discreetly sizing her up. Upon seeing Elyse, Felicia was convinced she was Rickey’s daughter. The resemblance was uncanny; for a moment, Felicia felt as though she were looking at her own son. However, a closer inspection revealed that Elyse only bore a passing resemblance.

The room remained silent. Elyse was the focal point of the gathering, and without a word from Felicia, no one dared to speak.

Pearce approached Elyse, took her hand, and led her to Felicia, introducing her warmly. “Grandma, this is Elyse, Uncle Rickey’s daughter. Isn’t she beautiful?”

Felicia ignored Pearce’s words. Instead, she looked past Elyse and addressed everyone. “It’s rare for us to gather. Everyone, feel free to relax. Don’t mind me.”

After she spoke, Felicia took the hand of the girl next to her and headed to the resting area.

Feeling snubbed, Elyse tugged at Pearce’s hand, smiling wryly. “You still haven’t told me about my father’s relationship with Grandma. Did they not get along?”

Pearce sighed and replied, “It’s not that they didn’t get along. Their relationship was quite good before the… thing happened.”

“What thing?” Elyse asked, blinking in curiosity.

Pearce recalled, “When Uncle Rickey reached marriageable age, Grandma arranged a suitable match from a notable family for him. However, he declined, revealing that he had been in a relationship with your mother for nearly two years and didn’t wish to marry someone he didn’t love.”

Elyse nodded and replied, “And then?”

“Grandma was furious and told him to break up with your mother. He refused and left home. Furious, she cut ties with him. They haven’t seen each other since,” Pearce explained.

. . .