Chương 65: Prodigal Daughter

Azalea is now in Son mansion. She's been away from her so called home for a while now. But she didn't missed it at all except for his brother.

The servant opened the door for her and ushered her to their living room. She was surprised to see the Dela MonRuiz family are in there.

"At last, the prodigal daughter have arrived". Her stepmother announced her arrival in a very annoying way.

Everyone turned their gaze on her and she felt awkward. She noticed everyone is wearing a formal dress and she's the only one who look shabby.

'There goes the dress code, little bro, I'm going to kill you later'. She made a mental note.

"You didn't even bother to dress up?". A despisement is all over her stepmother's face.

"I'm sorry Aunt Lena, I'm only here for the food anyway". She said smilingly like an innocent child.

Lena squint her eyes and glared at her. She really hates this woman.

Griffin is looking at her in awe. This is the first time he saw her in a casual clothes. He never thought she will look very beautiful without her bonnet and eyeglasses. Her dyed hair is also cool.

She was very confused by this scene. But then again Camilla and Griffin are in a relationship. She was thinking maybe there will be an engagement party soon. 'By the way, what am I doing here, and what is this got to do with me?'. This thought came running to her head

"There you are, let's go, dinner time". Carlton grabs her and drag her away from the villains of her life.

"What's going on here, you just told me to come here without a warning, are you trying to kill me?". She is whispering while asking her brother.

"Will you come if told you the truth?". He answered her with a question.

"Of course not". And she even arc her eyebrows.

"See!.... But at least I didn't lie to you, I just told you to come". He is grinning at her.

"You are so damn clever". She snorted at him.

The long dining table is now occupied by two families but there are still some few seats left.

Both head of the families are seated on both end of the table face to face. While their wives are sitting on both of there left sides while their eldest siblings are in their right side.

But in Azalea's case she preferred to sit after Carlton. She never considered herself as an eldest she always knows her place.

"Azalea, are you not the eldest child?, you should be sitting beside your father". Mrs. Victoria Dela MonRuiz said this with a hint of mockery.

"Oh don't mind her, she is not my real daughter, in this family Carlton is considered the eldest". Lena bluntly told her friend Victoria.

Camilla laughed softly, but she makes sure everyone can hear it and Victoria looks at Azalea disdainfully. Her impression of her is a daughter of a home wrecker that staining her friends reputation.

Rafael Dela MonRuiz cough a little to catch the women's attention.

"We are in front of a sumptuous meal, why don't we eat first". He said while simply looking at Charles.

He is a good friend of him for a long time now and he knows what's Azalea's background. He also know who is her mother. He pitied this girl for a long time, she never retaliate even this family is throwing stones at her. She will just stay quiet and eat.

"By the way, I was wondering what happened to the announcement of the old Shin back in Camilla's party". Rafael has been curious about this for a while now.

"Oh nothing happens Uncle Raf, we didn't hear any wedding bell rings, right".Camilla said scornfully.

Rafael's brows furrowed. 'This is a talk between heads of the family but she always cuts in, what a disrespectful lady'. He thought to himself. And it's one of the real reason he hated her.

Griffin was alarmed by the way his father looks at Camilla, he is showing his dislike for her. But Camilla didn't seem to be bothered by it.

"Although it's a shameful that she's a part of our family and we can't actually throw her out of the house besides who would take her as a bride. Maybe the old Shin is in his right mind now and detest the decision he made back then". Camilla simply explained why there's no engagement happened between the Shin and the Son.

Griffin somehow felt bad about her situation. His girlfriend always slander her name to all of their friends and relatives and his mother always talked about her as the daughter of a home wrecker and foretell that soon she will be one too.

Silence falls in the middle of the dinner. Nobody speak after Camilla. Just like before Azalea never retaliate she just sits back there quietly eating.

"Azalea, Jack Shin is asking for a business meeting with our company, did you made a proposal to him?". Charles ask her directly with a hint of proudness.

Azalea was stunned and looked over at Carlton and he just shrug his shoulders.

"Yes dad, I ask him to do a collaboration with Carlton for the new project we want to execute". She answered her father with honesty.

Griffin and his father was astound with what they heard. Son and Shin collaboration, this must be a big project.

"I know you don't like the project but I hope you won't see this as overstepping my boundaries". She look at her father with a sad eyes.

"It's not that I don't like your project but our resources are limited but if you can really make a collaboration with the Shin company I will let you have it your way". Charles explained to her. He is in full support for his daughter this time.

None of the other woman on the table speak they have no knowledge about business. When the people around them are talking business they become mute.

Griffin look at Camilla and he can't help himself compared her to Azalea. Camilla only knows how to spend money but she don't know how to earn it just like his mother.

He is starting to hate the idea of being with her. They might become like his parents. His parents sometimes do fight because of his mother's spending habits. She loves to buy things she don't have any use. She is just wasting their money.

"I didn't know you have a contact with Jack Shin.I heard it's hard to get even a minute of his time but you made a proposal and he accepted it. You must be a genius". Rafael is complimenting her proudly.

Charles smile lightly. She's very proud of her. He always knew she'd make it in the business world.

"It was just luck Uncle Rafael, I was in the right place at the right time". She said to him shyly.

"I don't usually believed in luck, I believed in hard work..... But are you sure he will really collaborate with you?... Your project seems to be very risky". He is very curious about their project if this one becomes a success he wants to be a part of it.

Griffin is just listening. He knows his father is fishing some information and Azalea seems to be providing him. It means she is willing to let them in.

"A good businessman knows where to put his money but a great businessman can make money anywhere he puts it, that's how I see Jack Shin, I always see him like King Midas". She always believed in this phrase and she knows Jack is a symbol of it.

Rafael Dela MonRuiz just smiled at her. She just convinced him to also take a risk. He wants to invest in it too.

"Do you still need another investors?". He is offering his hands now.

"I was hoping you would say that". Azalea smiled sweetly to him. She always like this uncle of hers though they are not blood related but still he is always good to her.

"Wow!..... We are just eating here and you already hooked an investor, are you planning on kicking me out of my position". Carlton is grinning from ear to ear. He is so proud of her.

"Nah,... I'd rather keep my shop". And she wrinkled her nose and pout her lips.