Chapter 353: President Lancaster Powerfully Dotes on His Wife
Just as Claire Bennett struggled to suppress her overwhelming humiliation and resentment, the emcee took the stage at the front of the hall. Microphone in hand, his gentle yet solemn voice instantly captured the attention of all the guests.
"Thank you, our distinguished guests, for joining us at this charity gala. We are honored to have you here, sharing in this heartwarming occasion with your generous spirits."
"I now declare this charity gala officially open."
"We will begin with the charitable donation segment. Guests are welcome to make voluntary donations, either as cash pledges or by donating cherished items from your collections for our auction. All funds raised will go directly to our philanthropic endeavors, helping those most in need."
As the emcee finished speaking, the room filled with applause.
Many guests rose from their seats and, guided by staff, made their way to the donation station at the side of the stage to write down their cash pledges in an orderly fashion.
Adrian Lancaster remained composed in his seat, tenderly holding Wren Sutton’s hand.
Soon, a staff member in a sharp suit, holding a pledge form, respectfully approached the VIP table. He bowed slightly and inquired,
"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster, will you be participating in the donation drive?"
Adrian Lancaster didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned to Wren Sutton. "Darling, we didn’t bring any collection pieces today. Let’s just donate cash, shall we?"
"Okay."
"How much do you want to give? You name the amount. I’ll do whatever you say." Adrian Lancaster’s tone was indulgent, not joking in the slightest.
Wren Sutton looked up and met his deep, gentle eyes. In their depths, she saw only her own reflection, swimming in his undisguised adoration for her.
’She knew Adrian Lancaster was wealthy—incredibly so. The interest on his bank deposits alone was more than anyone could spend in several lifetimes.’
Wren Sutton quickly mulled it over.
’Tonight’s charity gala is to support the education of children in mountainous regions,’ she thought. ’Children are the nation’s future. They should be the last ones to suffer from poverty.’
Once she had decided, she held up a single finger.
Perfectly in sync, Adrian Lancaster let out a low chuckle. "A hundred million?"
Wren Sutton was surprised he had guessed so quickly. Feeling both happy and a little nervous, she asked softly, "Is that okay?"
Seeing her earnest and cautious expression, Adrian Lancaster’s heart melted completely.
"Of course." He agreed without a moment’s hesitation, not even batting an eye.
’All he could do now was give his all to fulfill Wren Sutton’s every wish—and even give her more.’
Adrian Lancaster said to the staff member, "As my wife wishes. A cash donation of one hundred million. List the donor’s name as my wife, Wren Sutton."
One hundred million. It was the largest cash donation of the evening so far. The guests were all stunned, casting looks of admiration and envy in their direction.
"That’s President Lancaster for you! So generous!"
"What’s even more impressive is that President Lancaster is listing Mrs. Lancaster as the donor, not himself."
"President Lancaster is the ultimate doting husband. He’s not afraid to show the world how much he loves her."
Hearing the compliments from the surrounding crowd, Wren Sutton was taken aback for a moment, her clear eyes turning to look at Adrian Lancaster.
"Isn’t a hundred million too much? And it doesn’t seem right to list me as the donor. It’s your money, after all."
Adrian Lancaster leaned down, bringing his lips close to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her skin.
"It’s not too much. What’s mine is yours. As long as you’re happy, I’ll donate whatever amount you choose. It’s my honor to perform charity in your name."
Hearing his direct and heartfelt words, Wren Sutton’s heart began to pound. She felt like she was being cradled in the palm of his hand...
She couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but her heart felt sweet, as if coated in honey.
With a cool flourish, Adrian Lancaster signed the check and handed it to the staff member.
The very next second, he was holding Wren Sutton’s hand again, leaning in to whisper secrets in her ear.
Whatever he said, the corners of Wren Sutton’s lips curved up into a happy smile.
The light caught their profiles, creating an incredibly sweet and beautiful tableau that was a delight to behold.
Claire Bennett’s eyes took in every detail of their sweet interaction.
She clutched the hem of her dress, wishing she could crush the fine crystals sewn into the fabric.
She could only watch as Adrian Lancaster obeyed Wren Sutton’s every command. Wren said to donate a hundred million, and he wrote out a check for a hundred million without the slightest hesitation, practically putting her on a pedestal and worshiping her like a queen.
Not only that, but Adrian Lancaster also gave all the glory and honor to Wren Sutton.
This blatant display of affection and devotion was so sharp it made Claire Bennett’s eyes ache.
’Why her?!’
’All Wren Sutton had to do was casually utter a single sentence to earn Adrian Lancaster’s unconditional compliance.’
’And yet, she had exhausted herself, humbling herself to please him, just for the chance to speak a few more words with him, and he had been cold, ruthless, and humiliated her in public.’
Intense jealousy and resentment gnawed at Claire Bennett’s heart like venomous snakes.
Though she struggled to maintain a gentle smile, a sinister hatred churned in the depths of her eyes.
...
After the cash donation segment concluded, it was time for the donation of collectibles, which was also voluntary.
All donated items would be auctioned off on the spot later.
With the emcee providing commentary, guests proceeded onto the stage in an orderly manner to present the collectibles they had brought. All were priceless treasures, and staff assisted with the registration.
This was the moment Claire Bennett had been waiting for.
Forcing down the resentment in her heart, she stood and smoothed out her dress. A deliberately fabricated, gentle smile touched her lips as she walked toward the stage, cameras and flashbulbs following her the entire way.
Claire Bennett savored the sensation, deliberately walking slowly. She would even pause occasionally to smile, wave, and greet the guests below.
At last, she reached the center of the stage. Taking a delicate, velvet-lined jewelry box from a staff member, she slowly opened it as the stage lights instantly focused upon it.
Inside the box was a jadeite set. The ice-variety jadeite was translucent and lustrous, complemented by a delicate gold setting.
The set included a pendant, earrings, and a bracelet, all of impeccable quality. A single glance was enough to tell it was a priceless, rare treasure.
It drew frequent looks and low gasps of astonishment from the audience.
"Distinguished guests, good evening. My donation today is this jadeite jewelry set. I hope that through the subsequent auction, I can make a small contribution to the education of children in the mountain regions."
Claire Bennett’s voice was gentle, and her gaze, full of tender emotion, remained fixed on Adrian Lancaster below.
She hoped to use this valuable donation to recapture the spotlight, and more than that, to make Adrian Lancaster look her way.
She knew Adrian Lancaster’s grandmother adored jadeite, and the set she brought today was of the absolute finest quality. She refused to believe Adrian Lancaster wouldn’t be tempted.
However, Adrian Lancaster didn’t look at Claire Bennett, much less the collection piece she was donating. His attention and all his thoughts were entirely on Wren Sutton.
One moment, he was picking up the glass of warm water from the table, handing it to her, and quietly reminding her to drink more.
The next, he was cutting a small piece of cake for her.
Then he was handing her snacks, a napkin, and the event brochure.
Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought he was Wren Sutton’s servant.
Claire Bennett saw everything happening below the stage with perfect clarity. Stuck on stage, she couldn’t show the slightest hint of her dissatisfaction and jealousy, and could only swallow all her resentment.
Just then, the emcee picked up the microphone, his voice filled with a perfectly measured sense of awe.
"Wow, this ice-variety jadeite set from Miss Bennett is truly a showstopper among tonight’s donations! With this level of quality, it’s a collector-grade treasure. We will feature it as the final lot of the auction, saving it for last to create the night’s grand climax."
Camera flashes rained down on Claire Bennett like stars. She gave a slight nod, bowed elegantly to the audience, then gathered her skirts and slowly walked off the stage.
As she drew closer to the VIP table, a calculating glint flashed in Claire Bennett’s eyes.
Just two steps from her own seat, she deliberately twisted her ankle. The heel of her exquisite high-heeled shoe caught fast in a seam of the carpet. The next second, her body went limp as she pretended to lose her balance, falling directly toward Adrian Lancaster.
"Ah!" she cried out, drawing the attention of everyone present.