Fake Heiress Reborn Drops Masks Finds Family (Noelle and Sebastian) novel Chapter 271

Chapter 271 The Return

“Dad!”

“That’s enough. I don’t feel like arguing with you.”

Angus grabbed Alina’s wrist. “Alina, come back to the residence with me. I’ll personally look after you while you recover.”

With that, Angus hurriedly led Alina away.

Alina let him pull her along. Watching him stand up for her so firmly, her nose stung, and she almost burst into tears.

In this family, the only one who truly treated her as family was her grandfather.

But this car accident…

She narrowed her eyes, lips pressed tightly together.

Brandon’s 50th birthday banquet was held at 7 p.m. that Sunday evening at the Steele villa.

Noelle had taken special care to dress up, since she was there to support Lucas.

She wore a moon–white evening dress with clean tailoring that traced her slender figure perfectly. Her long hair was loosely pinned up with an emerald hairpin, giving her a fresh elegance touched with classical grace.

Sebastian wore a suit in a matching color palette. Arm in arm, the two of them looked like a perfectly matched pair.

Lucas, on the other hand, was dressed far more casually, looking lazy and unbothered. If his grandfather hadn’t insisted, he wouldn’t have shown up at all.

Sebastian and Noelle walked in front, with Lucas half a step behind. Just as they reached the grand carved gates, they were stopped by a uniformed servant with an unfamiliar face.

“Honored guests, may I please see your invitation?” The servant was polite but strictly professional.

Sebastian paused slightly, and Noelle raised an eyebrow.

Both of them turned to look at Lucas at the same time.

Lucas, who was a couple of steps behind, sauntered over lazily. A roguish smile hung on his lips, but his eyes were cold. “What? I, Lucas, bring friends home to celebrate my father’s birthday–and I still need an invitation?”

The servant clearly didn’t recognize this eldest son, who rarely returned to the Steele estate. He froze for a second.

Then he took a closer look at Lucas’s face–so similar to the chairman’s, especially those unmistakable hunter eyes–and his expression changed instantly as he bent into a hurried bow.

“M–Mr. Lucas! I’m so sorry, so sorry! I’m new here and didn’t recognize you! Please come in!“*

Lucas let out a soft scoff and ignored the flustered servant, gesturing to Sebastian and Noelle. “Sebastian, Noelle–let’s go.”

1/3

10:31 pm

Chapter 271 The Return

+10 Free Coins

Watching him go in, the servant broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, “Quick, inform Mrs. Steele and Mr. Derek! Mr. Lucas is back!”

Inside the villa’s main hall, crystal chandeliers blazed overhead as guests chatted in low voices.

The banquet hadn’t officially begun yet, and not all the guests had arrived, so the atmosphere was relaxed.

Brandon was exchanging pleasantries with old friends, with Belinda standing beside him, gentle and attentive.

Derek was chatting with others nearby. He wore a perfectly tailored custom suit, a luxury watch on his wrist, catching the light subtly. His manner was refined, carrying the air of a rising business elite.

“Derek is truly impressive for his age!”

A Steele family business partner said to Brandon with a smile. “I heard the new project you handed over to him last quarter progressed both quickly and steadily. A real up–and–comer!”

Brandon looked at his son, a flicker of pride passing through his eyes, though he spoke modestly. “He’s still young and lacks experience. It’s thanks to all of you elders looking out for him.”

Belinda smoothly chimed in, her voice pitched just loud enough for those around to hear. “This child is just very responsible. To prepare a birthday surprise for his father, he stayed up several nights in a row, reworking and optimizing reports for several key company projects.”

She looked at Derek with eyes full of affection. “He puts his energy where it counts.”

Derek smiled politely and nodded. “Mom, it’s only what I should do. Since Dad entrusted part of the company to me, of course, I’ll do my utmost.”

This picture of a proud father, a loving mother, and a filial son drew a wave of admiration from the surrounding guests.

Belinda maintained her gentle smile, her gaze seemingly drifting casually toward the entrance. She sighed softly, her tone tinged with just the right amount of regret. “It’s a pity Lucas couldn’t come today. I specifically called him yesterday, but he said… he was swamped with business.”

Her voice carried helplessness, with a trace of barely perceptible grievance. “That child’s become more and more withdrawn. He won’t even show up for his father’s 50th birthday…”

As soon as those words fell, the air around them subtly stilled.

The smile on Brandon’s face faded noticeably. His brows knit almost imperceptibly, disappointment clearly surfacing in his eyes.

The guests exchanged knowing looks and began whispering among themselves.

“So, Lucas still refused to come back?”

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