Ch. 11
The Charity Gala
Before Yuna knew it, the day of the charity gala had arrived. The Valen limousine came to a smooth stop in front of the grand venue. One by one, the family stepped out onto the red carpet.
Yuna followed behind her parents.
She wore a light emerald off-shoulder gown. The silk fabric caught the light beautifully, making her seem to glow with every step. Her hair was neatly pinned back, the loose ends falling in soft curls around her shoulders.
Beside her, her mother wore the cream-colored dress Yuna had chosen during their shopping trip. The elegant design complemented her perfectly. As for her father, Yuna had to admit that the man looked strikingly handsome in a tailored black suit.
Standing side by side, the three of them looked less like guests attending a charity event and more like the main attraction of the evening. The moment they appeared, cameras immediately turned in their direction, and whispers quietly spread among the crowd.
Today's gala was being held in the heart of the city.
Little did Yuna know, the event was hosted by the prestigious House Vale, one of the most influential families in the country.
Although it was considered an intimate charity gathering, the venue was anything but modest.
The decorations were simple and elegant rather than extravagant, yet every detail reflected quiet luxury.
When a staff member approached them, the family was immediately escorted inside and led toward the VIP section.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Valen," the staff member greeted politely. "Before the program begins, our hosts would like to speak with you for a moment."
"Lead the way," her father, Cassian Valen replied with a nod.
The staff member bowed slightly before guiding them deeper into the venue. Meanwhile, Yuna doesn't pay attention to the importance of the invitation. To her, it was probably just another business conversation between wealthy families.
As they were escorted toward the center of the grand hall, the crowd gradually thinned. The noise from the guests and the flashing cameras faded into the background as they entered a more private area reserved for distinguished attendees.
There, seated on an elegant couch, was a married couple. Both appeared to be around her parents' age. The man was handsome and carried himself with quiet authority, while the woman possessed a graceful beauty.
Yuna's eyes widened slightly, because for the first time that evening, she saw a visible change in her father's expression. Cassian Valen, who was usually stoic and unreadable actually smiled. Not a polite social smile but a genuine one.
"Good to see you again... Alaric!"
He immediately stepped forward, shaking the man's hand before pulling him into a brief embrace. Beside him, Selene's mother warmly greeted the woman in much the same way. The two couples looked surprisingly close. Meanwhile, Yuna remained standing where she was.
Like a decorative lamp post.
Watching the adults happily catch up while having absolutely no idea who these people are.
"Haha, Cassian! It's been far too long. I was beginning to think you were already dead."
"Damn you, Alaric." Cassian chuckled. "I'm not that weak to die so easily."
The two men laughed, clearly comfortable with each other.
"I'm truly happy to see both of you again."
"Thank you for inviting us while we're in Heart City." Evelina, Selene's mother said. "And Clarisse, I must say, I love the atmosphere of this gala."
Her eyes wandered across the elegant decorations.
"You really do have a gift for hosting. Everything looks exquisite."
"Grazie, Evelina," Clarisse replied with a pleased smile. "I'm glad you like it. This must be your daughter, Selene?"
The man, Alaric, finally turned his attention toward Yuna.
Yuna slightly flinched. She hadn't expected to be noticed so soon.
For a moment, she had thought she could remain a decorative statue in the corner for the rest of the evening.
She gave them an awkward smile before instinctively bowing her head slightly.
Great. My Korean habits are still alive and well.
"Yes, this is my daughter. My one and only, Selene."
"Man... I know~ you've been boasting her to me ever since she was born. But wow! Look at you, Selene. You grew up beautifully. You look stunning, just like your mother." Alaric paused, then glanced at Cassian.
"Good thing you didn't inherit anything from your father."
"Quit it, dumbass."
Yuna had no idea how she was supposed to react, so she could only force an awkward smile. Meanwhile, her mother was still smiling as she stepped closer and gently guided Selene toward the other woman.
"Selene, I know you probably don't remember them because you were still very young the last time you met." She gestured toward the couple. "This is Clarisse and Alaric Vale. They're your godparents."
Godparents? And they're the Vales?
You have to be kidding me!
Almost on cue, another voice came from behind her.
"Father, the event is about to start. We need you there."
Yuna froze.
She slowly turned around.
A tall young man stood behind her, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His posture was straight, his expression composed, and every movement carried a quiet confidence. His voice was calm and slightly mature. The kind of voice that naturally made people listen.
Shit. Shit. Shit!
Don't tell me...That's the second male lead?!
Adrian Vale, the second male lead of Love Illusion. Of all people she could have encountered tonight...
It had to be him!
"Son, give us a minute. We'll follow shortly. But before you go, come meet your godparents as well."
Before anyone could notice Yuna's brief shock, she quickly looked away. She kept her expression composed, as if nothing had happened. After a moment, she casually glanced at Adrian.
So what if he's Adrian?
So what if he's the second male lead? As long as she didn't have to talk to him, she was safe. Besides, Adrian was obsessed with Lina in the original novel.
At least, that's what Yuna remembered.
"Good evening, Godfather Cassian. Godmother Evelina," Adrian said respectfully.
"You've grown quite a bit, Adrian. The last time I saw you, you were just a boy running through these gardens." Cassian smiled as he shook his hand.
"That feels like another lifetime, Godfather."
"Indeed. Perhaps it's time our families reconnect properly," Cassian said with a light chuckle.
Yuna couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
What exactly do you mean by that, Dad?
"It's about time we strengthen our ties again," Alaric agreed with a nod. Yuna's eyebrow twitched.
Oh, no. I don't like the sound of that.
"Should I be worried?" she thought.
Thankfully, after a brief catch-up between Selene's parents and Adrian in the private room, they eventually returned to the main hall. Selene and Adrian hadn't spoken to each other at all, which was perfectly fine with Yuna.
Now, the Valens were seated in the VIP section as the lights in the hall dimmed slightly.
The charity auction was about to begin. At the front of the hall, the first painting was carefully displayed as the auctioneer stepped onto the stage.
When the auction began, one painting after another was presented to the audience.
Each piece carried a distinct style and emotion.
Some were vibrant and full of hope, while others felt quiet and melancholic.
There were a few paintings Yuna didn't fully understand, but fortunately, the auctioneer explained the inspiration behind each work, often sharing the emotions Lina had hoped to convey through the piece.
The guests seemed captivated.
One by one, the paintings were sold, with several of them receiving surprisingly high bids.
Shortly afterward, Lina was invited onto the stage to receive an award recognizing her contributions.
The entire hall applauded as she accepted the plaque.
A little flustered by the attention, Lina thanked the organizers before stepping up to the microphone.
"Good evening, everyone." Her voice was soft, but the microphone carried it throughout the hall.
"First of all, thank you so much for being here tonight. Honestly, I never imagined that my paintings would one day be displayed in a place like this."
A few guests smiled, Lina laughed nervously.
"I'm not a professional artist. I just... paint things that make me feel something. When my professors and sponsors encouraged me to share my work, I thought about what I wanted those paintings to accomplish. And I realized there were people who needed help far more than I needed recognition."
"I grew up knowing what it feels like to have very little." Lina smiled gently.
"Which is why the orphanages and children's welfare programs supported by this event are very important to me. Every bid made tonight will help provide food, educational materials, and support for children who deserve the chance to dream bigger than their circumstances."
A few people nodded in agreement.
"So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you to my sponsors. Thank you to my professors who believed in me. Thank you to everyone who purchased a painting tonight." She bowed her head slightly.
The hall erupted into applause.
After the auction concluded, the guests gradually moved into the grand ballroom connected to the main hall.
The atmosphere immediately became more lively.
Soft violin music drifted through the room as couples made their way onto the dance floor, while servers circulated among the guests carrying trays of drinks and appetizers.
Compared to the intimate setting of the auction, the ballroom felt much larger and far more crowded.
It seemed that many of the guests had arrived specifically for the gala portion of the evening.
Along one side of the ballroom, an elaborate buffet had been prepared, drawing a steady stream of guests eager to enjoy the food while socializing.
And just like that, the charity auction had transformed into a full-fledged gala.