Chapter 260


    ra gazed at the bracelet, its significance immediately apparent to her. She lifted her eyes to Ian,


    a silent question dancing in their depths.


    With a chuckle, Ian ruffled her hair affectionately. "Silly girl, if Grandma Rose gives you something,


    just take it. Don''t look at me. You''re the one who''ll be running the show here, not me."


    His wordsid bare the nature of their rtionship and the future that awaited ra.


    Among the elite gathered, such hints did not go unnoticed. With practiced grace, they raised their


    champagne flutes in celebration, eager to curry favor while Ian was in high spirits.


    ra offered a demure smile. "Thank you, Grandma Rose."


    Rose beamed, and her smile was so wide that it threatened to split her face. She called out to the


    others in the room, "I''ve given my gift. What about you lot? Don''t you dare shortchange our dear


    ra."


    As the words settled, the usually stoic Teo produced a check from his pocket and handed it to ra,


    his deep voice resonating. "ra, here''s ten million. Buy yourself some snacks, and when it''s time


    for the wedding, I''ll discuss the wedding gift with your father."


    The crowd''s jaws collectively dropped. A ten-million-dor wee gift for a future daughter-inw


    was the mark of the Hayes family''s unparalleled wealth.


    The check felt hot in ra''s hands, and once again, she looked to Ian.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Ian, smirking, wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Look at you, so obedient. I never noticed


    before."


    He took the check from Teo, still smiling. "Dad, don''t worry about the wedding gift. Just transfer the


    funds to my ount. I''ll handle everything."


    Teoughed at his son''s happiness, yfully scolding, "You better not mistreat ra, or you''ll


    answer to me first."


    "I wouldn''t dream of it. I''ll cherish her."


    The rest of the Hayes family followed suit, each presenting ra with their gifts, even the staff,


    including the butler and the maid.


    Leonora handed ra a fine marble statuette, her demeanor unexpectedly warm as she chatted


    away. It was as if none of their past grievances had ever urred, which struck ra as odd.


    However, any awkwardness was soon overshadowed by the evening''s entertainment.


    To everyone''s surprise, Heidi was the featured performer at the birthday soiree. Paolo had pulled


    out all the stops for his daughter, not only having her scandals scrubbed from the press but also


    having her perform at a string of charity events to rehabilitate her image.


    Heidi''s rendition of "Chasing Snowkes," a piece considered the most challenging in the piano


    repertoire, was wless and graceful. Her skills,bined with her status as a Campbell, earned


    her unanimous praise.


    It was then that Leonora, always the epitome of congeniality, said with a smile, "Heidi is so beautiful


    and talented at the piano. It''s a shame Ian is taken; otherwise, I''d have her as my daughter-inw in


    a heartbeat. However, since Ian prefers ra over Heidi, she must have something special about


    her. ra, as the future matriarch of the Hayes family, you must prove your worth not just in the


    courtroom but in the home. You can''t just be a brilliantwyer. You need to have other talents."


    Even a fool could hear the challenge in her voice.


    Heidi approached, her face all smiles. "I trust Ian''s judgment. Ms. ra must excel in areas where I


    do not. Isn''t that right, Attorney ra?" The challenge was clear in her eyes.


    Before ra could reply, Ian stepped to her side, pulling her close into an embrace. "She doesn''t


    have to lift a finger, and she''s still a hundred times better than you. Is there even a point in


    comparing?"