Chapter 283: I Want To Be Your Goddaughter

Lydia's suggestion was both unexpected and admirable. She showed Deborah the utmost respect. Deborah, though slightly distressed moments before, was moved. The recent events had left her reluctant, and she suspected Damien's feelings for her. Yet, Lydia's single sentence felt like rebirth, freeing her from her constraints.

Lydia chuckled. "Which will you choose? Or do you need more time?" She had to take responsibility for the suffering her son had inflicted on the chosen individual.

The Winters and Carney families didn't oppose Lydia, but preferred the stability of a marriage alliance, subtly hinting at Deborah as the preferred choice. Observers saw Deborah transforming misfortune into good fortune. Small groups speculated about her decision.

Isabella quietly asked Alexander, "What do you think?"

Alexander shook his head. "I don't know."

Isabella's eyes sparkled. "Let's wager! You choose one, I choose the other. Whoever guesses correctly gets a wish."

Haha! Isabella thought, I know Deborah's plan. She'll choose goddaughter. I'll win! She chuckled schemingly, already planning Alexander's punishment.

Alexander, oblivious to Isabella's scheme, felt his ears burn. "Okay, I choose the marriage alliance," he said.

Isabella was overjoyed. "Then I choose goddaughter!"

Watching Isabella's triumphant grin, Alexander smiled. Their wager spread to the others at their table.

Roland considered Damien's perspective. "I'm not sure what Damien would think," he said.

Elaine began, "He likes…" hinting at a possible interest in men, but Roland cut her off. "Let's not joke about his sexuality." Isabella, overhearing, tried to stifle her laughter.

(Previous section's incomplete sentence corrected below)

His unrequited love was so secretive his friends were oblivious; its obscurity even led to misunderstandings about his sexuality. It was unfortunate for Damien. Had his friends known, they might have helped.

Just as Deborah contemplated, she spoke, decisive as always. Previously she had no choice, but now… "Madam Lydia, I…"

"Deborah!" Damien, unable to contain himself, spoke. He'd previously hesitated out of respect for his aunt, but Oliver's actions left him with no excuse. A decade of longing fueled his decision to seize this chance. This was his best opportunity to pursue the girl he'd loved for ten years.

As Damien prepared to speak, Deborah said, "I've made up my mind." Her icy tone made him pause, though he hadn't even finished asking. She understood his feelings, but had made her choice, leaving him no room to interfere.

Damien fell silent, more desolate than after his framing, appearing utterly despondent. The direct conversation avoided ambiguity; people simply awaited Deborah's choice. Lydia, too, was surprised by Deborah's swift decision.

"I want to be your goddaughter," Deborah declared bluntly.

Gasps of disbelief filled the room. Many expected her to marry Damien—a compatible match in every way. The Carney family, though disappointed, wouldn't force her. The small group remained uncertain, still believing there were no feelings between them.

Isabella grinned at Alexander.

Alexander smiled. "You win. What's your wish?"

Isabella said, "Give me time to think."

"Okay."

The adoption wouldn't be so casual; an auspicious date would be chosen.

Once settled, Lydia turned to the three culprits. "Oliver, do you admit your mistake?"

Oliver, furious at the others' favorable treatment, stood. "Admit my mistake? You favor Damien and Deborah, but not me! You're blind to my suffering! I don't need you! I'm cutting ties!"

His father leaped up. "How dare you speak to your mother like that? Apologize!"

"Are you threatening me?" Lydia, hurt but composed, responded.

Oliver's defiance challenged Lydia, a battle of wills. He even wanted to compete with his mother.

"If you've made up your mind, I won't object," Lydia stated, unyielding. Since Oliver's downfall, she knew drastic measures were needed. She still hoped to salvage him, even willing to sever ties and cut off his financial support to force growth. It was a heartbreaking decision, for his sake.

Oliver, unprepared for her agreement, was shocked, his vision blurring.

Ruby, expressing her discontent, asked, "How could you treat Oliver like this? Are you really his mother?"

The onlookers erupted in laughter—everyone was on the same page.