Vivienne offered a perfunctory smile, the old grudges still simmering beneath the surface.

“We’ve got company at the moment. My father will join us shortly. Please, make yourselves at home. Dinner will be served soon,” Dracon explained before bustling off.

Vivienne took a sip of her water. “Is this their idea of a power play?”

Karen shrugged it off. “If Yorick wanted to put me in my place, he’d use something more sophisticated than this.”

It was clear, though, that Dracon intended to make this power move personally.

Vivienne chuckled, choosing to remain silent.

An hour passed, with neither Vivienne nor Karen receiving any attention. Dracon was off somewhere, busy, and Yorick had not emerged from his study.

Only when the servants had finished setting the table and called everyone for dinner did Yorick finally make an appearance.

Dracon hurried over to his side, along with a woman, both offering their support as Yorick descended the stairs.

“Lark, when did you arrive?” Yorick seemed genuinely surprised to see Karen.

With a slight curl of her lips, Karen’s eyes flickered towards Dracon. “Been here a while. Mr. Linklater insisted we shouldn’t disturb you, so I did not.”

Vivienne’s gaze landed on the woman by Yorick’s side, her smile laden with meaning.

Yorick glanced at Dracon, his voice tinged with reprimand. “Dracon, didn’t I say to send Lark and Vivienne to my study when they arrived?”

Dracon looked down sheepishly. “Sorry, Dad, I was too busy. It slipped my mind.”

Vivienne smirked, “Wasn’t Mr. Linklater just overseeing the kitchen the whole time? Playing supervisor?”

an awkward laugh. Vivienne was clearly

not know how to behave as a

refrained from further comment with everyone present. “Lark, Vivienne, sit by me.

turned to the woman on

Vivienne spoke up first, “Yorick, no need for introductions. I

woman was none

lead to meeting Gillian one day. Still, she had not expected it here, at the dinner

presence in such esteemed company was

the cognac reflecting her half-smile. But distorted through the glass and alcohol, her smile

ignorance and offer a toast as a gesture of my

home, and both Karen

wasn’t my face

announcement of her

“I was dealing with a lot back then, and Mara’s words provoked me. I lost control…

it was hard to stay rational, and you’ve paid the price. We can’t label someone a

then shot Vivienne a mocking glance as if to say, “What’s it

look. This man was really challenging her patience again, even daring to bully Vivienne

might be severe next time. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Linklater?” Karen said, her gaze indicating she would not tolerate any further mistreatment

nervously, offering no

spoke, “Gillian now works as a secretary in the Vanguard Agency’s secretariat, handling my affairs. She’s very

raised an eyebrow. A secretary

be much greater than she

me. After compensating her mother, I was released from the detention center. I

grew. She knew exactly how much

did not even know what

was piqued all

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255