Chapter 21: Sweet Gestures
"Calm down, guys!" Avery walked over to the group and continued, "He’s her brother, Elias Wright."
While Kiana sighed in relief, Zevian narrowed his eyes in confusion. He relaxed when he caught sight of Elias’s face—the boy had transformed completely into a man, almost unrecognizable.
"So, he’s my uncle?" the little girl asked excitedly. When Avery nodded, she clapped her hands. "Yay! Daddy, let’s go greet him."
Zevian nodded, and they walked toward the Wright siblings with Avery, while Natalie excused herself and walked toward her mom to greet the arriving guests. The entire acre of the Reign Mansion’s garden was decorated lavishly, every part exuding luxury and royalty with a stage set in one of the corners. Many guests couldn’t understand why the Reign family treated Evelyn nicely.
"Hi, Eli!" Avery hugged Elias, ruffling his messy hair. She couldn’t help but admire how the little rascal she had raised with Evelyn over the past seventeen years had grown into a handsome and charming man in his crimson-red tuxedo.
"When did you return?" Avery asked. Elias’s scowl replaced his earlier happiness, anger flashing in his eyes. He had been tricked by his mother and kept under house arrest for the past few days, with no network and three huge men guarding his every move. Luckily, he managed to blackmail his way back here, only to hear the shocking news that his sister married the bastard who had broken her heart.
Avery understood the situation from his silence and razor-sharp gaze and didn’t press further. Turning to Zevian and Kiana, she introduced them with a smile, "Meet your brother-in-law, Zevian, and his sweet daughter, Kiana."
Elias smiled at the little girl who waved at him, but his expression hardened as he shifted his gaze to Zevian. Gripping Zevian’s extended hand, he warned, "Hurt her this time, and I will murder you."
Avery and Evelyn exchanged worried glances as the two men stared each other down, their handshake turning into a silent wrestling battle. Elias refused to release Zevian’s hand until he gave his word, fully aware of the events that transpired six years ago.