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Zoe looked for a particular person among the guests in the Agreste mansion, holding a white rose.
The last time Gabriel had a party, it was for the Elite Families, and Chloe insisted that a bastard daughter like her should not go. This time it was a party to celebrate Gabriel's new fashion line.
"Hello Mister Agreste," she said to the man in front of her. From her room on the top floor of the Grand Paris Hotel across the street, she often saw him in front of his late wife's statue in his garden. In person there was something intimidating about him.
"I know you, you're Audrey's other child. How did you get in here?"
"Adrien invited me. I just want to say that I love your new fashion line, particularly how it uses multiple colors instead of one or two like most fashion. Similar to your earlier work."
"Thank you Miss..."
"Zoe. Zoe Lee. Say, is it alright if I lay a rose on Emilie's memorial? She is a big inspiration to me in my acting-"
"Zoe, get away from Gabriel!" Her mother was suddenly next to her and less gently pushed her away from him. At first she appeared panicked, but quickly composed herself. "I don't know how you got here, but Gabriel is too busy for a child like you, run along," she said in her usual disinterested way.
Zoe bowed her head and left, because she was too stunned to speak. Her mother got her name right the first time! That had to be a sign that she really did not want her speaking to Gabriel. Likely her mother saw her existence as an embarrassment.
By the time she reached the statue, her shock had turned to sadness. "Why can't my blood family love me?" she said to it. "I'm not just a bastard, I'm different. Andre and my friends are my only real family."