FreeGoodNovelChapter 95 "We'd love to stay longer, but there's another business reception we promised to attend," a woman explained, setting down her barely touched drink before rising from her seat.
"Yes, we have to go as well," another guest added. "It's a big event-everyone's talking about it." Soon, more followed, murmuring similar reasons as they left.
As the evening wore on, Sarah and Alexander found themselves exchanging uneasy glances.
The once-lively banquet had begun to empty at an alarming rate, and the chatter that had once filled the room faded into silence.
One by one, guests made their polite excuses, murmuring something about prior commitments, before slipping out the door.
At first, it seemed like mere coincidence.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut when Alexander overheard a whispered conversation between two departing guests, his expression darkened.
"They're all going to Linda's opening banquet," he murmured to Sarah, keeping his voice low.
Sarah stiffened. "Linda? As in... Linda's family?" Alexander nodded grimly. “They deliberately scheduled their company's grand opening for tonight. And it looks like they made sure to invite nearly everyone who was supposed to be here.” Sarah's grip on her wine glass tightened. Her mind raced, but the more she thought about it, the clearer it became-this was no accident.
Linda's family had chosen this day on purpose, making sure that the old lady's birthday celebration would be overshadowed.
And to make matters worse, they had used Arnold's connections to lure the guests away.
Alexander exhaled sharply, shaking his head in frustration. "I can't believe they'd stoop this low." Sarah was about to respond when she noticed her grandmother watching the dwindling crowd with quiet contemplation.
The old lady's sharp eyes had caught on to what was happening, yet instead of reacting with visible anger, she simply set down her teacup and sighed softly.
16:02 Crippled I Chapter 95 "It's just a birthday," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Not a burial." Sarah turned to look at her, expecting ssign of bitterness, but there was none.
If anything, there was an air of acceptance-resignation, even.
"Grandma..." she began hesitantly.
The old lady waved a hand, silencing her gently. "Sarah, listen to me. You must never punish yourself for the shameless behavior of others." There was a weight to her words, something unspoken but deeply meaningful. And then it struck Sarah-the deeper implication hidden beneath them.
She wasn't just talking about tonight.
She was talking about the past. About how Clark, Sarah's father, had once betrayed her mother, Laura.
How Laura, unable to bear the humiliation and heartbreak, had eventually walked away from it all.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmA flicker of sadness crossed Sarah's face. The pain of those years still lingered like a shadow, but she pushed it down, just as she always had.
Meanwhile, across the room, Clara was far less composed.
She slammed her fork onto her plate with a sharp clatter, her face burning with anger.
"That stupid-Linda-is utterly shameless!" Clara spat, her eyes blazing. "To do something like this on purpose... and on Grandma's birthday, no less! Do they have no sense of decency?" Alexander, still fuming, muttered under his breath, "Apparently not." Sarah, though equally furious, remained quiet. But the tension in her posture spoke volumes.
It was then that Leo, who had been observing the situation silently, leaned in toward Sarah and gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"Wantto fix this?" he asked casually, as if offering to help with something as simple as setting the table rather than salvaging a sabotaged banquet. Sarah blinked, caught off guard. "Fix it? What do you mean?” Leo smirked, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Just sit tight and watch. I'll get us sbackup."
Before she could protest, he pulled out his phone and started making calls, his voice smooth and confident as he spoke to person after person. 16:02 Chapter 95 Within minutes, he had mobilized a small army of guests friends, nequaintances, and influential figures who owed him favors.
And sure enough, just as the last of Linda's defectors had trickled out, new guests began arriving ones who were far more charming, far more vibrant, and, most importantly, far more loyal. As the banquet regained its energy, the laughter and music returning, Sarah glanced at Leo, who met her gaze with an easy grin.
"Party's back in the spotlight," he said, winking.
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