The Ash Queen's Return: Reclaiming Her Crown novel Chapter 9

After hanging up, Natalie walked to the apartment unit's floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out at the scenery. Her profound gaze held a mix of complicated emotions.

Five years ago, the Lunsfords had taken her child away from her right after she gave birth. She had been exhausted back then and hadn't even had the time to look at the baby.

She only vaguely saw a dark red butterfly-shaped birthmark on the baby's left shoulder.

One quick glance—that had been all she had gotten.

But now, there was a little girl by Horatio's side who just so happened to have such a birthmark, and her mother was unknown.

Was there really such a coincidence in the world? Was such a birthmark really that common?

"Star…" Natalie whispered the name softly, feeling a dull ache in her chest.

The weekend came around quickly.

The charity dinner was held in a five-star hotel owned by Hurrell Group.

Crystal chandeliers refracted dazzling light. Many celebrities from high society were among the crowd of well-dressed attendees.

Natalie had put on a black limited-edition fishtail dress. It was subtle but elegant, accentuating her pale skin and red lips. She also wore a pair of costly black diamond high heels. Overall, it was hard for anyone to look away from her.

As she walked slowly into the banquet hall, a stir gradually grew among the crowd.

"Wow! Who's that woman? She's so elegant and poised!"

"Isn't that the fat woman from the Lunsford family? How did she become so beautiful now?"

"That's right! I heard that her fiance married her younger sister. I didn't expect her to show up today as well."

Everyone whispered among themselves. They couldn't stop themselves from glancing frequently at Natalie.

Her appearance had left all of them stunned. She looked like a black swan—a noble, cold beauty.

Natalie turned a deaf ear to their discussions about her. She elegantly accepted the champagne a waiter held out to her, her gaze searching the crowd for a familiar figure.

Soon, she caught sight of Horatio not far away from her.

He was wearing a neatly tailored black suit. He had his head lowered, speaking to someone next to him with a stern expression.

However, it was the little girl standing next to him in a pink tutu, holding his hand obediently, that made her heart beat faster.

Natalie's breath caught in her chest, and she felt as if her heart was being squeezed.

Estella was here too?

Considering how protective Horatio was of Estella, she had assumed that he definitely wouldn't allow her to attend the charity dinner.

What a pleasant surprise.

Just as Natalie calmed herself down and was about to approach them, she suddenly saw a woman in a bright yellow dress walking toward the pair.

The woman smiled sweetly and kneeled down to stroke Estella's head affectionately.

However, Estella reflexively hid behind Horatio, clutching tightly at the hem of his shirt. This subtle show of resistance made Natalie's heart skip a beat.

Clarissa's smile froze on her face, but she quickly smiled sweetly again and stood up. Although she looked calm on the surface, she was seething inside.

That damn bastard child! Clarissa hadn't expected Estella to be here too.

In truth, Estella had been bored at home. She had pestered Horatio for a long time, using her cuteness to her advantage, to finally be allowed to step outside for a while.

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