**TITLE: Collapsed 306**
**Chapter 306**
As the majestic double doors swung open with a reverent flourish, the ballroom was enveloped in a profound silence, a hush that seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
The air was filled with the soft glow of dozens of crystal sconces, their light dancing across the polished marble floor, yet all of it paled in comparison to the singular spotlight that illuminated Alina as she gracefully descended the staircase.
Her gown, a vision of ethereal beauty, caught the light in a way that made it shimmer like liquid moonlight, each step she took causing the fabric to ripple and flow around her like a gentle tide.
Then, like a rising tide, the whispers began to swell, filling the air with a mix of awe and intrigue.
“Oh my God… that’s her,” one voice gasped, barely above a whisper.
“She’s stunning… oh, she looks just like Luna!” another chimed in, eyes wide with wonder.
“No, no, look closely at her eyes… she has those unmistakable Evergreen eyes,” someone else corrected, the admiration palpable.
“I heard she was missing for nearly two decades…” a voice trailed off, laden with sympathy.
“She’s even more beautiful than the photos suggested,” another added, as if trying to grasp the reality of the moment.
“She moves just like her mother did at that age,” an older woman remarked, nostalgia creeping into her tone.
“The resemblance is uncanny… it’s as if Luna has cloned herself,” a man mused, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Look at Darius! I haven’t seen him smile like that in years,” someone noted, a hint of warmth in their voice.
“She seems so composed… I would have fainted with all those eyes on me,” another whispered, envy lacing their tone.
“She’s real… the heiress is really back…”
The voices swirled around Alina, a cacophony of admiration, curiosity, and a touch of envy, each whisper feeding into the next, creating a tapestry of emotions.
As she finally reached the ballroom floor, her parents stepped forward, their faces radiating pride and joy.
Luna enveloped her in a tender embrace, her voice soft and sincere. “You look absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart.”
Darius, his hand resting firmly on Alina’s back, turned to address the crowd, his voice resonating like a king addressing his loyal subjects. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his eyes sparkling with emotion, “thank you for gathering here tonight. It is with immeasurable joy that I present to you my daughter… Dahlia Evergreen, who was stolen from us at the tender age of four and, by God’s grace, has returned to us at last.”
A ripple of gasps swept through the audience, followed by murmurs of sympathy and awe, the weight of Darius’s words settling over them like a warm blanket.
He continued, his voice steady and powerful, “Tonight is not merely a celebration; it is a restoration. A healing of what we believed we had lost forever.”
As his words hung in the air, applause erupted—warm, thunderous, a wave of sound that washed over Alina like a comforting embrace.
A few women dabbed at their eyes, touched by the moment. Men nodded appreciatively, their expressions reflecting admiration. Cameras flashed, capturing the scene, while a few reporters whispered excitedly at the back, their voices quickly hushed by vigilant security.
Luna pressed a gentle kiss to Alina’s forehead, her voice a soothing balm. “We are so proud of you, baby. Now… just breathe. We’ll walk with you.”
Yet Alina felt a surge of confidence, a newfound strength coursing through her. She stood tall, her heart racing with exhilaration.
Guests began to approach her almost immediately, like moths irresistibly drawn to a flickering flame.
A woman in a stunning emerald gown leaned in first, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “My dear, you are even more stunning up close. Luna certainly wasn’t exaggerating.”
Another couple joined the throng, their enthusiasm palpable. “You truly have your mother’s face,” the woman remarked, her gaze lingering on Alina.
“And your father’s presence,” her husband chimed in, offering a respectful nod, his eyes reflecting warmth.
A man with silver hair chuckled, his laughter rich and inviting. “My wife has been eagerly waiting to meet you ever since the announcement was made.”
His wife playfully swatted him. “Oh, don’t mind him. Sweetheart, you are simply gorgeous. And you seem so kind… I truly hope you plan to be active in the Evergreen Foundation. We could really use your charm.”
Before Alina could respond, a younger woman stepped forward, her shyness evident. “Um, Miss Evergreen… welcome home. We’re really glad you’re back.”
And then, the matchmaking began.
It came swiftly and unabashedly, a whirlwind of introductions and hopeful glances.



VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina)