Chapter 3The Second Chance Menu

I sat next to Grandma, watching Vivian holding onto Richard's arm.

The surroundings were noisy.

Her wavy hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a red mermaid gown. She was dazzling.

Compared to her bright smile, Richard seemed much colder.

Grandma glanced calmly in their direction, then looked away. She pinched my cheek. "Our little Ellie is finally willing to wear a dress. You're growing up."

Grandpa looked over sternly, shaking his head. "Girls should dress like this. Vivian loves dressing herself up but doesn't care about her daughter."

Grandma agreed. "Yes, I've told her so many times to get Ellie some decent clothes, but she never listens."

I spoke up weakly: "Grandpa, Grandma, it was me who didn't like wearing dresses."

Grandpa scoffed. "That's because she didn't raise you right."

I paused, wanting to argue.

Just then, someone poked my arm.

I turned around, surprised: "Lucas..."

Lucas smiled and greeted: "Hello Grandpa, Grandma. Hi Ellie."

Grandma smiled. "Good boy."

I followed Lucas to the corner to eat desserts.

He stuffed a mini cake into my mouth, then scolded me: "Why didn't you come to the amusement park yesterday?"

I: "..."

I scratched my head. "Had a fight with my mom."

He paused, then said slowly: "Oh, that's understandable."

Lucas had soft brown hair, red lips, and white teeth. Wearing a mini suit, he looked serious yet cute.

I stared at him.

In my past life, for the next eight years, Lucas and I became total frenemies.

I thought his dad was eyeing my mom, so I never gave him a break. He always mocked my ugly clothes and called me airheaded.

But looking back now, those noisy days were some of the few colorful moments in my life.

I grabbed his hand and asked deeply: "Do you think my clothes are ugly?"

Lucas took a step back, stuttering. "Huh? Today... today you look pretty good."

I shook my head. "What about before?"

He fell silent.

The quiet corner contrasted sharply with the noise elsewhere.

I sniffled, eyes turning red: "They all say I'm an ugly duckling, that they don't like me, that I'm not as pretty as my mom..."

He anxiously pulled me closer. "Who said that? You're pretty. You're the prettiest!"

"Really? Every day?" I asked.

He nodded, then scratched his cheek shyly. "Yeah. They're talking nonsense. Tell me who said it, and I'll go settle the score."

I paused.

Too many people said that.

From my childhood to adolescence, countless people compared me to Ms. Vivian, saying I wasn't as pretty as she was as a child, didn't inherit her beauty, wasn't a beauty in the making.

But... why compare me to others? Why compare me to my mother?

I sighed.

And stuffed a mini cake into Lucas's mouth.

Suddenly.

There was a commotion nearby.

I saw the gentle girl in the white dress. A glass of red wine had been spilled between her and Vivian.

Both dresses were ruined.

Everyone knew it was the girl's petty trick, but Richard didn't stand by his wife.

My grandparents would only blame the daughter-in-law who wasn't blood-related.

I gritted my teeth in anger.

Just as I was about to step forward, Lucas held my hand.

We saw a man leisurely appearing in the center of the storm. Wearing a low-key luxury silver-gray suit, he raised an eyebrow lazily. "Ms. Zhong's dress is ruined."

The girl's face paled slightly, hiding behind Richard.

She spoke softly: "Mr. Chi, hers is red, mine is white..."

Implying the stain on her dress was more obvious.

"Who knocked over the glass? Do we need to check the security footage?" Julian chuckled lightly.

Richard's eyes were cold. "This is my family matter. It has nothing to do with you."

Julian's expression froze slightly.

I gritted my teeth and pulled Lucas forward.

People made way for us. I enunciated clearly and crisply:

"I swore an oath with Lucas. He's my brother now. So Uncle Julian is my Godfather!"

I nudged Lucas, and he nodded immediately: "Yes!"

Dead silence.

Only Julian's lips curled slightly. He put one hand in his pocket. "Heard that? Now Ms. Zhong's matter is my family matter too."

The onlookers gasped.

Richard's face suddenly darkened. "Godfather?"

Lucas and I nodded solemnly in sync.

"Pfft." Vivian, who hadn't spoken, laughed. Her red lips curved; she seemed amused by us.

But she didn't deny it.

Richard grabbed Vivian's wrist, pulling her to his side.

His mood was unreadable, but a suppressed hostility radiated from him: "Ms. Zhong? Mr. Chi, you should call her Mrs. Jiang."

"You manage a lot," Julian drawled, then turned to a waiter. "Take Ms. Zhong to change."

Richard wouldn't let go.

Vivian smiled faintly. "Husband, not letting go?"

The girl hiding behind Richard whispered: "Mr. Jiang, my dress is dirty too."

Richard frowned darkly. After a long moment, he let go.

Then he turned and personally led the girl to the lounge.

The drama ended, and the crowd dispersed.

Only Lucas, Uncle Julian, and I remained.

I looked up.

Julian happened to look down, his peach blossom eyes watching me with unreadable emotion.

Just then, a waiter bowed slightly beside me. "The Old Madam invites you over."

I froze, then turned to meet Grandma's strict gaze.

Lucas pulled me. "Don't go."

I shook my head.