Edward swept his gaze over the assembled guests and lifted the microphone.
"Thank you all for joining us tonight."
"This evening serves two purposes. First, to celebrate the Elyndorian Representative team's spectacular triumph at the Global Elite Academic Challenge."
"Second, to formally announce a matter concerning the Lancaster family—a matter delayed for twenty years."
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
This was it.
The main event they had all been waiting for.
Catherine took the microphone, her voice carrying a slight tremble. "As many of you know, twenty years ago, Edward and I lost our daughter. The true jewel of the Lancaster family."
"For two decades, we never stopped searching."
"Thankfully, fate took pity on us and finally brought her back."
She paused, her eyes growing redder. "Twenty years. We waited for this day for twenty long years. And finally, my daughter has come home."
Edward squeezed his wife's hand and continued, "We can never undo the hardships she endured out in the world, nor can we bear them in her place."
"But starting today, the Lancaster family will give her every ounce of respect, devotion, and status she was denied. We will give it all back, without reservation."
Hearing this, Catherine choked back a sob.
She took a deep breath, composed herself, and exchanged a loving glance with her husband.
Together, they turned toward the grand spiral staircase on the second floor, their eyes overflowing with profound pride and tenderness.
"Now, please welcome the star of tonight."
"The daughter I carried for nine months. The flesh and blood our family spent twenty years searching for."
"The First Lady of Lancaster, Serena Lancaster."
The ambient lights along the walls dimmed further.
A single, brilliant spotlight struck the landing of the sweeping spiral staircase.
The entire hall held its breath, and all eyes snapped upward.
The first person to emerge from the shadows was Old Mr. Lancaster.
The patriarch wore a dark, impeccably tailored suit. His silver hair was combed back with flawless precision.


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