Chapter 294: Gift after gift

Words : 1761 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 294: Gift after gift "Anne," Margaret called out, stepping forward with a file clutched in her hands. She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I’ve waited for this moment for so many years," she said, her eyes glistening with emotion. Anne reached out to wipe the tears from her mother’s cheeks. "Don’t cry," she whispered back. "Tonight is about joy, not tears." Margaret nodded, smiling through her emotions. "I know, sweetheart. But sometimes, tears have a mind of their own." She stroked Anne’s cheek, then held out the file. "This is what my father left for you. A property document. I’ve held onto it all this time, waiting to give it to you." Anne took the file. Her heart twisted. She had never even met her grandfather, who had left her such a gift. A wave of regret washed over her for all the lost time, for the years spent away from the family who had cared about her all along. Still, amid the sorrow, there was overwhelming gratitude. "Thank you," she said, choking with emotion. Margaret pulled her into a warm embrace. "You don’t need to thank us. We are only giving back what was always yours. Welcome home, Anne." Anne smiled as she hugged her mother tightly, overwhelmed by love. Every painful memory from her past faded into silence. Surrounded by her family, she felt whole and truly, deeply blessed. In the crowd, Paule and Patricia stood still, their faces drained of color as they watched gift after gift being handed to Anne. It was like something out of a dream. Compared to all that, the small gift they had brought felt meaningless. A quiet sense of inadequacy settled between them. They exchanged a glance, and in that silent moment, they understood exactly what the other was feeling. "Should we just leave?" Paule asked in a low voice. Patricia scowled at him. "What are you saying? Anne would be hurt if she found out we left without seeing her." Paule shook his head slightly. "With all this... with them around her, do you really think she’ll even remember us?" "She will," Patricia said firmly. "Even if everyone else forgets, Anne never will. She is grateful to you for everything you did. Just wait. She’ll come to you." She flagged down a passing waitress, took a glass of wine, and handed it to Paule. "Relax. Have a drink. Try to enjoy the night." Then she grabbed a glass for herself and turned back toward the stage. "Ahem..." Dimitri cleared his throat as he stepped onto the stage, his voice cutting through the chatter in the hall and drawing all eyes to him. "Grandpa," Augustine moved quickly to his side, helping him up the steps onto the stage. Anne followed, concern flashing across her face. "I’m so sorry I didn’t greet you earlier," she said, reaching out to take his hand. Dimitri smiled warmly. "There is no need to apologize. Just seeing you surrounded by your family fills me with pride." He glanced around. "Everyone has been giving you gifts tonight—I couldn’t be left out. I brought something too." "Grandpa, really, that’s not necessary," Augustine said quickly. "Your blessing is more than enough." Dimitri waved him off with a light chuckle. "Relax. This gift isn’t for you. And it’s not for Anne either." He looked directly at them, his eyes twinkling. "It’s for my great-grandchild." Anne and Augustine froze. They looked at each other with surprise in their eyes. They had not announced Anne’s pregnancy yet. How did Dimitri know about it? They had planned to share the news about the pregnancy later that evening, after the formalities. Only Nathan and Margaret knew. Almost in sync, the two turned to look at them for answers. Nathan and Margaret, wide-eyed, shook their heads, silently indicating they hadn’t said a word. Dimitri looked around at the stunned faces, confused by the tension. "Why does everyone look so shocked? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?" "No, no..." Augustine said quickly, forcing a sheepish smile. "We were just... surprised. We hadn’t told anyone yet. We were wondering how you knew Anne was pregnant." Dimitri’s eyes widened. "What did you say?" he blurted. "Anne is pregnant?!" A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. Oliver stood frozen for a beat. "You are pregnant?" he asked, his heart fluttering with surprise and emotion. "Why didn’t you tell me earlier?" Anne gave a sheepish smile. "We were going to announce it tonight," she explained, realizing Dimitri had not known anything about her pregnancy. And they spilled out the truth just like that. Their planned surprise was gone in a blink. She bit her lower lip, glancing at Augustine, who just shrugged helplessly. "You brat," Dimitri snapped, swinging his cane and hitting Augustine’s arm with it. "You kept something this big from me? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hear this news? And you hid it from me?" Augustine winced and rubbed his arm with a playful grimace. "Don’t be upset, Grandpa," Anne jumped in quickly. "We were just trying to make it a big moment for everyone. It was meant to be a surprise." "Yeah, well, I got smacked for it," Augustine mumbled, and laughter broke out on the stage, easing the tension. Dimitri raised his hand, quieting the room again. "Since the secret is out, let me make an announcement of my own," he said. "I, Dimitri Beaumont, hereby transfer all my shares and assets to Augustine’s child." He gestured to the butler, who promptly stepped forward with a leather-bound folder in hand. Dimitri took it and held it out. "All the documents are here. I’ve been waiting for the right moment. Now that I’ve heard the news, I want to pass it on, to secure the future, and enjoy my peace." He handed the folder to Anne. "Grandpa... this is too much," she said, overwhelmed. "You are giving away everything. You don’t have to—" "I want to," Dimitri interrupted, placing a steady hand over hers. "This is also my way of making up for what Augustine went through in the past. Please don’t turn it down." Anne felt the weight of his sincerity. Her heart full, she simply nodded, accepting the gift. "It’s a double celebration, Oliver," someone from the crowd shouted. "Turn up the music." Oliver laughed, nodding. "Don’t worry—we have arranged a live orchestra. They’ll be taking the stage shortly." He paused, his smile softening. "But before that, there is something important I need to say." This was it. The moment he had been dreading and preparing for had finally come. The truth he had buried for years was about to come out. It could destroy his reputation, invite judgment, even hatred. But none of that mattered anymore. Not after everything Anne had suffered. Nothing he endured could ever match the pain she had gone through. He owed her the truth. He opened his mouth to speak. But before he could say a word, Anne’s voice rang out across the room. "Papa," she exclaimed with a bright smile, stepping off the stage and weaving through the crowd. Everyone turned to watch as she made her way to Paule and Patricia. "You came! Why didn’t you call me sooner?" She threw her arms around Paule, then Patricia, pulling them into her embrace. "I’m so happy to see you," she murmured. Paule smiled, the tension he had carried all evening finally easing. Her embrace chased away every doubt, every anxious thought. "We wouldn’t miss it," Patricia said. "How could we let you down?" Anne beamed, joy radiating from her face. "Come on," she said, reaching for their hands. "Come with me." Anne gently took Paule’s hand and guided him toward the stage. The spotlight followed them. She turned to the guests. "Everyone, I want to introduce someone who means the world to me." She linked her arm with Paule’s and looked up at him, her eyes shining. "This is my Papa—my foster father," she said with warmth. "When I had no one, he gave me a home. He didn’t just shelter me—he raised me, cared for me, and believed in me when no one else did." Paule’s eyes brimmed with tears, overwhelmed by the emotion in her words. "Everything I am today is because of him," Anne continued. "He could have sent me to the orphanage, but he didn’t. He chose to adopt me. He loved me like his own. And for all these years, he has been the only father I knew." She turned back to the guests. "This is Paule Claire—my Papa." A fresh wave of applause broke out, the room erupting with admiration and emotion. Paule blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. He placed a gentle hand on Anne’s head, his voice low and thick with emotion. "Such honor... I don’t know what to say. I’m overwhelmed." Anne smiled. "You’ll always be my Papa. That will never change." Margaret stepped forward. "Thank you, Mr. Claire, for everything you have done for my daughter over the years. I truly don’t know how to put my gratitude into words. But we would like to offer you a small gesture of appreciation. Please—don’t say no." She turned and gave Nathan a subtle nod. Nathan walked over, holding an envelope. "It’s nothing compared to what you did," he said respectfully, "but we hope you’ll accept this as a symbol of our thanks." Paule reached out with slightly trembling hands and took the envelope, unsure of what to expect. As he opened it and pulled out the cheque inside, his breath caught. "Fifty million?" he whispered, stunned. The numbers blurred for a moment as his mind tried to process what he was seeing. Patricia leaned over his shoulder, her eyes going wide. She counted the zeros once, then again, her breath catching in her throat. For years, she had dreamed of marrying their daughter into wealth, of one day living a life of comfort and luxury. That dream had finally materialized. Yet the joy she had always imagined didn’t come. Because Lorie wasn’t there. If only their daughter had let go of her bitterness and made peace with Anne, she could have been standing beside them now, smiling, laughing. "This... this is too much," Paule stammered, shaking his head. "I can’t accept it." "Papa," Anne stepped beside him, placing her hand over his. "Please. Don’t refuse. Accept it—from us." He looked into her eyes and saw only love, no obligation. He nodded slowly. "Alright... I’ll accept it."

Chapter 294: Gift after gift

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