Chapter 1394

“As long as you make a mistake, just use my name. There won’t be any problem.”

Aurora felt a rush of gratitude for Lucas’ protectiveness, but deep down she knew she didn’t want to live like this.

She wanted to earn people’s trust through her own efforts. She wanted others to call her Miss Walton, not just Mrs. Carter. She didn’t want her life defined by Lucas’ shadow.

Her eyes flickered, but she didn’t voice these thoughts.

Some things were better kept to herself; saying them aloud would only bring unnecessary trouble.

All she needed was to keep moving step by step toward her goals. Everything else could wait. For now, when everyone was enjoying themselves, her private feelings seemed trivial.

Just as the banquet was about to officially begin, Aurora noticed an empty seat at the main table.

It wasn’t tucked away at the back either – its position alone spoke of importance. For there to be a vacant spot at the main table, the person it belonged to had to hold considerable weight.

Aurora was about to ask when Lucas leaned in and explained.

“Don’t bother looking. That empty seat is for my uncle.”

“Your uncle?”

Aurora lifted her head toward him.

Why had no one ever mentioned this before? It was as if the man had vanished from memory. Yet a place had been set aside for him, right at the main table – that alone proved how significant he must be.

Lucas shrugged indifferently. “He’ll probably be here soon.”

His tone only deepened her curiosity. He sounded far too familiar with this mysterious figure.

“Does he do this every year?” she finally asked, unable to hold back.

She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person commanded such treatment – someone whose presence warranted a seat even alongside Philip himself. Could anyone possibly outrank him?

That was impossible now.

Lucas gave a quiet laugh. “Don’t doubt it – his status is very high. And in our family, he’s the most favored one. That’s why at every annual banquet, he always arrives late. We’ve long gotten used to it.”

Because it was Aurora asking, Lucas patiently explained. If it had been anyone else, he would’ve just rolled his eyes – maybe not even spared them a glance.

Aurora nodded, showing she understood.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling curious about his uncle, Edwin Carter. What kind of man carried himself with such arrogance?

She soon had her answer.

A man with his hair slicked neatly back, dressed in trendy clothes, strolled in and took his seat as if no one else existed.

Though he made no fuss, every pair of eyes in the hall had already turned toward him.

Just that small gesture was enough for Aurora to know – this must be the uncle Lucas had spoken of.

She whispered softly, “That should be your uncle, right?”

“Yes, that’s my uncle Edwin.”

Lucas’ expression stayed calm and unchanged.

Aurora studied the two similar faces and felt a flicker of surprise.