Chaos Girl Rewrites the Script novel Chapter 23

Son?!

Cedric couldn’t process it for a second, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.

Everyone knew the Speaker had only one son, a notorious playboy in Athelvia. Where on earth did this one come from?

“Cedric, lead the way,” Dorian said calmly, as if he hadn't noticed Cedric's lapse in composure.

Cedric snapped back to reality and composed himself. “This way, sir.”

It was hard to blame Cedric for his reaction. Dorian had a distinguished political career in Athelvia and a reputation for being a refined gentleman. He and his wife, Victoria Montclair, were annually voted Athelvia’s model couple. To think that such a man had secretly fathered an illegitimate son this old was a bombshell. Had this happened to any other member of the Ravenshire family, it wouldn’t have been nearly as shocking.

Each lost in their own thoughts, the three of them had just stepped into the courtyard when they heard a peal of silvery laughter from the gazebo. The sound was so infectious that it made even Caspian, sitting nearby, grin from ear to ear.

Dorian watched the two people in the gazebo for a moment before turning to instruct Cyril, “You wait here for a moment.” With that, he walked toward the gazebo.

The sky had darkened, and the courtyard was lit by warm, orange-toned ambient lights, casting a soft glow.

Cyril stood his ground, his gaze cutting through the dim light to land on the old man in the gazebo. He wore a silk tunic, held a cane, and looked at the little figure beside him with a face full of affection. The figure had her back to him, waving her arms and legs as she spoke to the old man, looking like an octopus performing an opera.

A moment later, Dorian entered the gazebo.

Cyril lowered his gaze, his eyes shifting away without a flicker of emotion.

Inside the gazebo, Vivienne was in the middle of telling Caspian a funny story from her childhood when an uninvited guest suddenly appeared behind her.

“Dad.”

That voice…

The lively expression on Vivienne’s face froze instantly.

“Sit,” Caspian said, pointing to the empty seat beside him.

Dorian bowed respectfully, and after sitting down, he smiled as he looked Vivienne over. “You’ve gotten so tall in the short time I’ve been away. Do you still remember me?”

Vivienne slowly sat up straight, looking a little reserved. “Mr. Dorian Ravenshire.”

Dorian paused, then smiled warmly. “Why be so distant? I’ve heard you’re quite spirited. Since we’re all part of the Ravenshire family, you can just call me what Bianca and Aurelia do.”

Vivienne looked up timidly, her eyes filled with hesitant curiosity. “Is that really okay?”

“Of course it is,” Dorian encouraged patiently.

Vivienne looked a bit shy. “A snake in the grass.”

“?” Dorian’s smile stiffened. For a second, he thought he had misheard.

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

Vivienne simply arched an eyebrow, her gaze locked onto his, unblinking and unyielding for ten long seconds.

To Cedric, this looked entirely different. This Miss Lexton was so forward! Did she have to stare so intensely at every good-looking man she saw?

“Ahem, Miss Lexton, it’s getting late. We should be going,” Cedric said, clearing his throat. The children of Obsidian Estate represented the family’s image, and he was beginning to worry that if he didn’t intervene, Miss Lexton might just throw herself at the boy.

“Ah? Oh.” Vivienne gave an embarrassed smile and very naturally turned her gaze away. “Cedric, the wind just blew something into my eye.” She then made a show of rubbing her eyes.

Cedric discreetly glanced at the young man under the moon and thought to himself: A very strong wind indeed.

“Let’s go.” The girl was clearly sensitive about her pride, so Cedric didn’t expose her. He gave Cyril a slight nod and continued to lead the way.

“Mmm,” Vivienne hummed, obediently following while still rubbing her eye. She didn't put her hand down until they were out of the garden.

Cedric found it amusing. Suddenly, he thought that Miss Lexton’s clumsy attempt to cover her tracks was, in its own way, rather cute.

Cyril calmly retracted his gaze, his expression warm as he looked back at the Peonielle. After a moment, a faint, unreadable smile touched his lips as a thought occurred to him.

The Ravenshires certainly were an interesting bunch. Was she actually flipping him off under the guise of rubbing her eye?