Chapter 139
Some folks wouldn’t dream of crossing Thorne.
Yet, there was a crowd hustling to cozy up to the Hawkins and the Spencer families.
After all, the Ross family had seen better days, whereas the Hawkins and Spencer families were thriving under Thorne’s influential umbrella. The choice was obvious.
Laird mumbled an apology to Vernon and took off.
*Helena and Aunt Maisie, along with Charlene, initially didn’t pay much mind.
But as more guests arrived only to leave shortly after, and with the banquet hall’s seats growing increasingly vacant, a sense of unease settled in. When it became obvious that most of the tables were sparsely occupied, questions began to arise. Helena and Maisie approached, frowning, “Why are so many guests leaving? What’s happened?”
Vernon and Charlene exchanged worried glances, at a loss for words.
But the truth couldn’t be skirted around any longer.
Vernon sighed, “The Spencer and the Hawkins families have settled down in Starfall, choosing today of all days for their housewarming. They sent out invites to most of our guests, so…”
So, that explained the grim situation at hand.
Vernon and Charlene looked anxiously at Helena, fearing the worst.
The Spencer family’s betrayal had hit the Ross family hard, a wound that wouldn’t heal as long as Sybil remained in the hospital. Their spite for the Spencer family, especially now, was palpable. Yet, Helena had weathered many storms in her time.
Upon hearing the news, she clenched the table’s edge tightly, then turned to Vernon and Charlene with a piercing gaze, “Is it Thorne pulling the strings for them?”
Without Thorne’s backing, the Spencer family, newcomers to Starfall and barely settled, couldn’t have possibly swayed so many guests.
Helena’s mention of “that Thorne” left no room for doubt.
Charlene, with tears brimming, nodded, “Yes…”
She choked out, “Granny, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Helena said tenderly, touching her face, “You all underestimated their depravity.”
“Granny…”
“It’s alright,” Helena glanced at the nearly empty banquet hall, her demeanor calm and collected, “It’s just a birthday. The way it’s celebrated doesn’t really matter. As long as everyone is safe and well, that’s all I need. Everything else is just details, not worth worrying about.” “And remember, never let someone else’s shamefulness be your punishment, understand?”
Her words also echoed the past ordeal with Sybil.
Charlene and Vernon nodded in understanding.
Charlene had also invited Stewart and Connie, who had just arrived, fully aware of the tension between the Ross, Spencer, and Hawkins families.
Hearing the situation,, Connie couldn’t help but curse, “They’re despicable! Never seen such vile people!”
Stewart patted Charlene’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.
Then, his phone pinged. After a glance, he paused, then said, “Let me see if I can pull some strings for you.”
Charlene, puzzled, responded, “Huh?”
Stewart smiled, saying, “You’ll see.”
Meanwhile, at the Spencer family’s banquet hall….