Chapter 270 - Every Island Counts (1/2)
Nobody at the Lin table was smiling. Sure, most of them were clapping, yet their pursed lips told a thousand words than the heart-wrenching speech Henry Lin had given.
”What the heck,” Eli uttered whilst clapping. He then half smiled and half winced when Auntie Martha stomped on his foot under the table.
Plastering a forced smile on her face, Auntie Martha turned her head to warn Eli. ”Watch your mouth, Eli.”
”Whaaat? I didn't know we have twins in the family. Mother, tonight's also your chance to reveal my hidden twin.” Eli shrugged.
His comment earned a smile from Grandma and Auntie Martha. Across from them, Ava covered her lips with a napkin to hide the smile on her face.
Just as Henry was walking closer to their table, the Lin Family's attention turned to Alexa whose head was slightly bowed.
”If you'll excuse me,” Alexa uttered, her eyes were glassy as she asked for Grandma Lin's permission.
She ejected from her seat and a tear escaped her eyes as she bolted towards the powder room.
As expected, Tristan stood from his seat and excused himself. He followed Alexa's trail, but paused along the way to congratulate his father-in-law.
Returning to their table, Henry Lin grunted when Auntie Martha rolled her eyes and let out a snort in derision to show her disgust towards Henry.
She just had to show it. It didn't matter if people would see her. It was a knee-jerk reaction on her part.
She couldn't believe how low her brother would get just to put a good face on when everyone knew how rotten he was in the core.
C.o.c.king his head to the right, Henry Lin smirked at Auntie Martha. ”What? That's what I've been telling everyone.”
”Sure you do. Only someone as neurotic as you are can come up with such a distasteful story.”
Shrugging his sister's derision, Henry Lin clinked his flute with Auntie Martha's and downed the bubbly liquid down his throat to celebrate his victory for the night.
Up on the stage, Fiona spoke and called upon King Alistair, Hope Foundation's president, to present that year's Hope Gala award.
Claps died down as soon as King Alistair got up on the stage and exchanged pleasantries with Fiona who then passed the mic to the king.
”This year, out of the hundreds of charities working for the betterment of our country, one stood out, stealing not just my attention, but Queen Isla's heart. For decades, most of us focused on what's closer to home, and it was not a bad thing either.
”However, that microscopic vision hindered us from seeing the bigger picture, from seeing the outliers who needed our help too. Together with Queen Isla, we filtered all the groups who lent out a piece of them to those in need, and this particular organization tugged our heartstrings.
”Nisia is not just a country in the east. Nisia represents the hundreds of islands that made up the country as a whole. Nisia represents the people inhabiting each island and islets in our country's territory.
”From providing solar lights to mountainous regions to providing access to clean and sanitized water using a sustainable water system to our fellow countrymen, this group reminded us to adjust our focal point, and look not just around us, but to the parts where our eyes couldn't reach.
”Ladies and gentlemen, it is with a humble heart, that I present this year's Hope Gala's awardee.”
King Alistair stepped aside to give the hundred guests a full view of the backdrop which served as a canvass for a video.
Notes from clanking bamboos and the melodies of Kulintang danced in the air as the tribal music softly played in the background whilst photos after photos which captured the beaming and blinding smiles of indigenous groups fluidly transitioned one after the other.
Near the end of the video, a little girl in ragged clothes hugging a brand new doll flashed her toothless smile. ”Evwi aywand, counts!” she said.