chapter 4

"Lyria actually has the nerve to look down on Kristie when all Kristie did was say a few words!"

To show off their charitable hearts, they adopted Kristie as their adopted daughter. They made a big public display of it.

In my previous life, I couldn't understand why my parents had changed so completely.

It wasn't until after I died that I realized everything came down to self-interest.

My dad was the key to my comeback.

His sharp gaze made Kristie immediately shrink back like a scared rabbit. She retreated to the side. "It's okay. It's all my fault."

"Please!" I scoffed.

"How pathetic."

My dad frowned. "Lyria!"

My mom couldn't help but get angry. "Look at her attitude!"

I pointed at the floral pattern on my mom's dress. "I'm not making things up, Mom. Don't tell me you don't know what those lily prints mean to Mrs. Vale?"

"Lily prints? What lily prints are you talking about?"

My mom was completely confused.

A nearby wealthy socialite chimed in. "Mrs. Vale's biggest taboo is floral patterns, especially lilies. Did you forget, Mrs. Veyne? Or are you deliberately trying to antagonize Mrs. Vale?

"Everyone in our circle knows this. How could you forget, Mrs. Veyne!

"Even Lyria can see it, but you can't.

"I heard earlier that your adopted daughter helped you pick out this dress. Is she the one who doesn't understand, or is it you?"

My mom suddenly remembered something. Her face went deathly pale.

My dad looked at Kristie. She immediately waved her hands frantically. "I ... I didn't know!"

Reggie also said, "This is Kristie's first time here. She doesn't know about these taboos. Lyria, since you knew, why didn't you warn her?"

I rolled my eyes. "You knew too. Why didn't you give her a lesson instead of coming here to blame me?

"I just wanted to get some fresh air, and you accused me of bullying her. Are you two really sure this is the first time you've met?"

I linked my arm through my dad and said, "Dad, I think this engagement needs more consideration. I have several projects overseas, and business partners need to be chosen carefully."

My dad looked at my mom with a dark expression. "Get out of here before you embarrass us any further!"

My mom's face darkened as she hurried away to change her clothes. Kristie quickly followed behind her.

Reggie looked embarrassed. "Mr. Veyne, I was just being impulsive.

"It's true that Lyria just got back, and you two have been apart for years, so naturally you've grown distant. But there's only one Veyne daughter, and that's Lyria!"

This made me smile. I didn't care about being the Veynes' daughter, but I was very satisfied with that exclusivity.

With my mom gone, the Veynes had no choice but to let me take charge at tonight's charity gala.

Reggie tried to come talk to me again, but I linked arms with my dad and followed him to mingle with the other guests.

After what had just happened, it became obvious to everyone that the Veynes' daughter's fiancé could still be replaced.

Soon, I was surrounded by eligible young men.

When I was abroad, I had kept in touch with those wealthy heirs. We were all from the same social circle. Although we were supposed to be just students, we were never idle.

In my previous life, I cared too much about family relationships. After coming back, I let Kristie lead me around by the nose and failed miserably.

This time was different. None of that mattered anymore. What mattered was that my years abroad shouldn't be wasted.

The heirs I knew all came to greet me. With them around, those wealthy socialites naturally looked favorably upon me.

Even Amanda came over. I had done my homework in advance and had a delightful conversation with her.

At the charity auction, I even had my dad bid on a painting. That painting was actually done by Amanda herself, displayed under a pseudonym. I deliberately praised it in front of her, and Amanda was thrilled. She even invited me to have coffee together next time. My dad, seeing this, felt very satisfied.

...

After we got home, my dad sat in the car holding my hand. "Lyria, it's such a shame you weren't born a boy. Otherwise, I could leave the company in your hands."