Chapter 0121
With about half an hour left until the banquet officially started, most of the guests had already arrived. Notable figures from various industries mingled, their glasses raised in toasts, creating an atmosphere of grandeur.
The Goodwin family truly commanded respect. Their influence in politics had been well established since Martin’s father’s time, and under Mark’s leadership, their power had. only grown. Even the prominent Wright family had to give them some deference, and as for everyone else, compliance was a given.
Standing on the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, Suzy scanned the room with a gaze as sharp as an X–ray, assessing each guest to see if anything unusual might stand out.
“Miss Frost…”
A maid approached her from behind.
Suzy turned. “What is it?”
“Mr. Martin has something to discuss with you. He’s asked you to meet him in his study.”
The maid kept her head lowered as she spoke. Suzy gave her a once–over, masking the glint of suspicion in her eyes, and then made her way toward Martin’s study.
Meanwhile, Anne, who had been discreetly watching Suzy’s every move, saw her heading to the study just as Helena had planned.
Barely able to contain her glee, Anne almost laughed out loud. “Suzy, you think you can worm your way into high society by latching onto Claude and the Goodwins? You should reflect on yourself and see if you’re even worthy! Soon enough, I’ll shatter that delusional dream of yours.”
Half an hour passed in a flash, yet Martin couldn’t find Suzy anywhere,
Feeling frustrated, he sought out Mark in a quiet corner and unleashed his irritation.” Mark, my patience is running thin. I’m giving you one minute–where is she?”
Mark, clearly uncomfortable, replied, “Father, do you really think I’d dare pull anything at a time like this, even if I had my doubts?”
“If it wasn’t you, then who?” Martin’s anger flared as he tapped his cane against the floor repeatedly. “From the very start, you didn’t want me to take Suzy as my honorary granddaughter. And you opposed the idea of holding a recognition banquet for her even
more.”
Mark tried to reason with him, “Father, my opposition was because I suspected Suzy might be deliberately getting close to you-”
+35 BONUS
Chapter 0121
“Nonsense!” Martin, still under Suzy’s influence from her earlier hypnosis, wouldn’t hear a single negative word about her.
“If it weren’t for Suzy saving me that day, I would’ve been dead already! According to you, Suzy somehow planned for me to have a shock at just that moment? She’s a twenty–four- year–old young woman, not some clairvoyant! Stop making her out to be more calculating than she is.”
Seeing his father’s face flushed with anger, Mark dared not argue further. “Alright, maybe I was overthinking it. But I really don’t know where she is. Maybe she went to the restroom. I’ll have someone look for her.”
Martin wasn’t the only one anxious about Suzy’s absence; Claude, too, was growing worried and quickly sent people to search for her.
Around the room, murmurs began to spread.
“The banquet’s already started, and the guest of honor still hasn’t appeared?”
“Exactly. I noticed Martin doesn’t look too happy. Do you think something’s wrong?”
Hearing this, Diana grew increasingly uneasy and sidled up to Dylan. “Brother, Suzy hasn’t shown up yet. Do you think something’s happened to her?”
Before Dylan could respond, Anne, who stood beside him, interjected, “I’m sure she’s fine. Suzy’s probably just nervous. She’s an ordinary person, after all, suddenly receiving the Goodwin family’s favor and attending such a grand event–it’s likely her first time at something like this. She’s probably just too nervous to come out.”
Diana shot Anne a glare. “I was talking to my brother–who asked for your input? If you’re so eager to speak, go find someone else. Just hearing your voice makes me sick.”
She ignored the flash of irritation on Anne’s face and pulled Dylan aside. “She was your
don’t seem even a little worried about her? Is that bitch Anne wife for three years,
and you all you ever think about?”
