Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 972

Hearing the edge in his voice, Lester immediately caught his drift.

Getting straight to the point, Lester replied, "I've already confirmed it. St. Kingsley invited Ms. Mercer as well, and it seems her office has already RSVP'd that she will attend.

"I also heard she's scheduled to give a keynote speech on technology and host a Q&A with the students."

The invitation in Sebastian's hand suddenly transformed into a priceless artifact. His grip tightened, his fingers carefully protecting the edges of the cardstock.

Finally. He finally had a chance to see Lillian.

He had tried everything to contact her, but she had blocked him at every turn. The prolonged inability to see her had left Sebastian suffocating in a slow, agonizing despair.

He never expected a golden opportunity to fall right into his lap.

"Contact St. Kingsley immediately," Sebastian ordered. "Tell them I will be attending the celebration."

In the past, Sebastian would have never set foot on the St. Kingsley campus for an event.

During his college years, he had been a legendary figure. By his senior year, he had already founded his own successful tech startup.

A man that brilliant naturally drew the spotlight.

He was famous at the university, but back then, everyone just knew him as an ordinary guy from a small, unremarkable town.

Then he returned to the Blake family, and his identity shifted overnight to the long-lost bastard son.

The stigma of being an out-of-wedlock child, permanently attached to his record of excellence, was a profound source of humiliation for Sebastian.

In the beginning, people dug into his past, unearthing the sordid details.

Whispers spread about how Debbie Harris had seduced Old Mr. Blake, climbed into his bed, and secretly given birth to him.

The rumors called him a social climber who had finally schemed his way into high society.

The label of 'illegitimate' felt like a blade twisting in his gut. For years, he couldn't even face it.

He loathed his status, and he deeply despised his mother, but he also knew the Blake Group was the only platform that could elevate him to global dominance and secure his legacy.

"Mr. Blake, I've confirmed your attendance with the university," Lester said. "They were ecstatic. They also asked if you'd be open to delivering a speech."

This time, Sebastian didn't even hesitate. "Tell them yes."

Lester was taken aback. He completely understood Sebastian's desperation to see Lillian.

But giving a speech? That seemed entirely unnecessary, if not reckless.

After all, his disastrous wedding had been broadcast globally just a short while ago.

The news of his brutal split with Bella Ward was already dominating the elite circles.

By next week's celebration, the scandal would be common knowledge on campus.

Given the insatiable curiosity of college students, the moment a Q&A session opened, someone was bound to ask about his catastrophic love life.

Lester desperately wanted to advise against the speech, but he knew his place.