Chapter 63
As soon as Asher spoke up, others started to chime in about Elara. “Yeah, this has nothing to do with Dapline or Asher. Elara, you don’t have to be so petty. We’re all classmates here.”
It was as if not forgiving them made it Elara’s fault. People nowadays were really good at emotional manipulation. Seeing that everyone was speaking up for Daphne, Elara couldn’t be bothered to deal with these idiots.
Daphne turned to Elara and said, “If there’s nothing else, we’ll just get back to rehearsal.”
With that, Daphne looked at Asher and said, “Let’s go. The two of them walked off, leaving Elara alone.
A classmate nearby turned to Elara and asked, “Even though Asher didn’t say it, Elara, are you really not being kept?”
“You must be insane,” Elara shot back. Since she didn’t have anything to rehearse, she left on her own.
As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Barrett walking in with the principal. Jefferson was there as well, following Barrett like a bodyguard
Elara didn’t go up to her father. She wandered around for a bit but didn’t see Lizzie anywhere. Spotting some classmates. Elara asked, “Have you seen Lizzie?”
“Someone came looking for her earlier, and she went out,” one of them replied.
“Who?” Elara asked.
“I heard it was someone from Oakridge High School,” the person answered. Elara walked toward the entrance but still didn’t see her, so she let it go.
When the graduation ceremony started, Lizzie still hadn’t returned.
Seated in her spot, Elara watched as her father took the stage. He was wearing a suit and looked incredibly handsome. Though he wasn’t young anymore, in Elara’s eyes, her dad was still the most handsome man in the world.
He began, “Honorable school leaders, teachers, and dear students, good evening. I’m Elara’s father, Barrett Kensington “Barrett?” The moment he spoke, people were astonished. “Is that Barrett, the general manager of Cloudmount Fountain?” As if he sensed everyone’s curiosity, Barrett continued, “Many of you may not have heard my name, but you’ve probably heard of Cloudmount Fountain.
“Today, I’m not standing here because of my own achievements, but because of my daughter. Over the past year, she has worked hard and made significant progress in her studies…”
Cloudmount Fountain was a big name in Brookfield. Its mineral water and various drinks were well–known across the country. Everyone drank their products regularly. They were in every supermarket.
While people might not have been familiar with Barrett himself, the name Cloudmount Fountain was instantly recognizable.
So he really is Elara’s father? Elara’s father is actually the owner of Cloudmount Fountain? they thought to themselves. Just moments ago, some of them had thought Elara might actually be a kept woman
Daphne sat nearby, and her parents were also in attendance today. However, since her parents weren’t particularly famous, the honor of being the parent representative had gone to Elara’s father.
As she watched the refined, elegant man on stage, and then glanced over at Elara sitting nearby, this was the first time Daphne truly felt the difference between them.
Chapter 63
Elara was a true heiress, not someone being kept. This man was her father. And now that Daphne knew who he was, Barrett no longer seemed old at all. Instead, he looked rather youthful.
Daphne glanced at her own father sitting next to her, his hair already graying. Compared to Elara’s father, he looked much, much older.
After Barrett’s speech, Thomas Wagner and Nora Wagner stood up and walked toward him as he stepped down from the stage. “Mr. Kensington, nice to meet you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Daphne had been at this school for so long, and yet her family never knew there was a child from the wealthiest family here all along.
If they had known earlier, they definitely would have made sure their daughter built a good relationship.
Barrett hadn’t visited the school much before. Sometimes, when there were parent–teacher meetings, people from his company would attend as Elara’s guardians on his behalf.
So while Barrett had provided plenty of financial support to the school, many parents hadn’t met him in person. Now that they finally saw him today, they were eager to make a good impression
Watching her father’s sycophantic behavior, Daphne frowned. Although she was a little annoyed, she also understood the vast difference between her and Elara. Her parents had to flatter them like this.
Nora’spotted her and called out, “Where’s Daphne? Daphne, come here. She beckoned Daphne over with her hand.
Daphne walked up to them, “Dad, Mom.”
Thomas eagerly said to Barrett, “Mr. Kensington, this is our daughter, Daphne. She’s always done quite well in school. If there’s ever a chance for her to work in your company, that would be wonderful.”
Barrett politely responded, making small talk.
Standing beside her father, Elara looked at Daphne, clearly seeing that she wasn’t happy about being pulled into this socializing. But Daphne still played along with her parents, showing her cooperation.
It was easy to tell that her parents were the type who excelled at flattering others, something that Daphne seemed to have inherited.
At that moment, Jefferson walked over, dragging Asher along, Addressing Barrett, he said, “Mr. Kensington, this is my son, Asher. Thank you so much for all your support these past few days.
“He’s truly appreciated it. Once he joins Cloudmount Group, hell definitely work hard for you. And, you know, his relationship with Miss Kensington is great.
“Now that they’ve both graduated, maybe we could start thinking about setting up an engagement soon
In front of the other parents, Jefferson couldn’t wait to solidify Asher’s connection with Elara Hearing his father’s words, Asher frowned, feeling embarrassed to have such a father.
Thomas and Nora, standing nearby, noticed how handsome Asher was and had heard about his good grades
Previously, they had thought he was close with Daphne. But now, it turned out that Asher was already lined up to be the son- in–law of the wealthiest family. They quickly gave up on any other ideas.
When Barrett heard Jefferson mention an engagement, he replied, “There’s no rush for an engagement. The kids are still young, so it’s too early to be thinking about that.”
Chapter 63
“They’re not that young Jefferson countered. “In another two or three years, they’ll be able to get married straight away.
Jefferson was all enthusiasm. Elara looked at him and said, “Hello, Mr. Blackwood.”
Jefferson smiled, “Hello, Elara.”
Elara continued, “I’m not interested in Asher, and I definitely won’t be getting engaged to him. Besides, he already has someone he likes.”
Hearing this, Jefferson was momentarily stunned, knowing full well that the person Elara was referring to was Daphne. But in his mind, Daphne wasn’t worthy of being Asher’s wife.
Jefferson quickly denied it, saying, “That’s impossible. Asher wouldn’t have had time for a school romance. He’s been completely focused on his studies. Elara, there’s no one he likes but you, right?”
He directed this last part toward Asher, giving him a look that clearly conveyed he should know better than to contradict
him.
If Asher dares to mess this up, I’ll beat him when we get home, Jefferson thought to himself.
Asher, hearing his father’s words, glanced at Elara, remembering everything she had done to him before.
Resisting, he said to his father, “Dad, do you even realize what kind of event this is today? Is this really the right place to bring this up?”
“What event?” Jefferson didn’t seem to care about the presence of others. “We’re practically family with Mr. Kensington “You’ve been living with the Kensingtons this whole time. And now, Mr. Kensington has given me a job. What? Is marrying Elara somehow beneath you?”
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