She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 90

Walking into the venue arm-in-arm with Caleb, she remembered exactly what was going to unfold tonight, her grip tightening instinctively around her brother's arm.

"Everything okay?" Caleb asked, turning to her.

Lyra shook her head slightly. "I'm fine."

She was simply haunted by the suffocating despair and bitterness she had experienced on this exact night in her previous life.

Tonight was the night Jasmine would publicly unveil herself as the Philanthropy Ambassador.

It was the moment that would force even Commissioner Jameson and Victoria to formally acknowledge her.

Thinking back on how blindly and foolishly in love she had been, a sharp pang of pain pierced Lyra's chest.

She quickly composed herself, schooling her expression before stepping further into the hall with Caleb.

As soon as they entered, they spotted Commissioner Jameson, Victoria, and the Graysons deep in animated conversation with Arthur and Delilah.

Just as she had in her past life, Lyra gracefully made her rounds, greeting each elder with perfect poise.

"Lyra, you look absolutely breathtaking," Eleanor Grayson gushed. "Youth truly is a gift. Look at that luminous skin! Having a daughter must be wonderful. She's as beautiful as an angel, completely unlike my insufferable boy..."

She threw a pointed, sideways glance at Waylon as she spoke.

Waylon was her only son, and he was as emotionally walled off as a vault.

On that front, Eleanor was relentlessly jealous of Delilah.

"Delilah, I envy you so much. You were blessed with both a son and a daughter, while I..."

Delilah laughed warmly. "Waylon is incredibly outstanding. One of him is worth two of anyone else. Believe me, Eleanor, I'm the one who envies you."

While the two mothers exchanged polite flattery, Victoria stood by, offering the obligatory social smiles.

Just then, a noticeable murmur rippled from the entrance of the banquet hall.

Commissioner Jameson and Victoria turned to look, spotting Jonathan Ford and Tabitha walking in with a young woman in tow.

Whispers broke out across the room. "Is that the Ford heiress with them? She doesn't look like much."

"No way. I've seen Jasmine Ford. She is drop-dead gorgeous..."

Taking the stage, the host swept a gaze over the sea of high-society elites, his smile warm and utterly sincere. "Tonight, we have the profound honor of unmasking a completely anonymous Philanthropy Ambassador from a California-based institution. She doesn't crave the spotlight or flash her wealth like the celebrities around us. Yet, her name is permanently etched into the donor plaques of countless underfunded schools and the acknowledgment rosters of vital public welfare initiatives. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... Ms. Jasmine Ford. Let's invite her to the stage to say a few words."

A wave of deep admiration and applause washed over the crowd.

Jasmine walked onto the stage with a graceful, confident stride.

Down below, Jonathan and Tabitha were glowing with unadulterated triumph. Tabitha even cast a deliberately smug glance toward the Fairchilds' table.

They hadn't originally been given invitations to a gala of this elite caliber.

But their daughter's sheer brilliance had secured their place.

Jasmine took the microphone, the spotlight locking onto her figure.

In that singular moment, she was the untouchable, peerless Jasmine Ford.

She spoke, her voice radiating warmth and conviction:

"The title of Philanthropy Ambassador has never been a crown to me; it is a sacred responsibility. I have looked into the eyes of children desperate for an education, and I have witnessed the smiles of critically ill patients given a second chance at life. Those moments are what drive my relentless dedication. In the past, I chose to keep my contributions entirely silent. But tonight, I am stepping into the light to extend an invitation to every single person in this room. Stand with me. Let's pass this love forward, together..."