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?”

was clearly hinting

not know how to behave as a

from further comment with everyone present. “Lark, Vivienne, sit by me. I’d like to introduce you

on his right,

took their seats, Vivienne spoke up first, “Yorick, no need for introductions. I know

was none other

day. Still, she had not expected it here, at the dinner table of the former

presence in such esteemed company

But distorted

didn’t expect to see you here. Allow me to apologize for my past ignorance and offer a toast as a

both Karen and Vivienne held Yorick in high

responded coolly, “No need. It wasn’t my

public announcement of her past actions, but she maintained

semblance of guilt, “I was dealing with a lot back then,

that situation, it was hard to stay rational, and you’ve paid the price. We can’t label someone a villain for life over a single mistake. Ms. Ashford, don’t take it

then shot Vivienne a mocking glance as if

challenging her

Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Linklater?” Karen said, her gaze indicating she would not tolerate any further mistreatment towards her

chuckled nervously, offering

in the Vanguard Agency’s secretariat, handling my

an eyebrow. A secretary in the Vanguard

proving to be much greater

at Vivienne and explained, “Mara didn’t press charges against me. After compensating her mother, I was released

on Vivienne’s face grew. She knew exactly how

did not even know what it was

Vivienne’s curiosity was

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

Comments ()

0/255