The bodyguards, itching to intervene, found themselves halted by Winston’s firm stance, thwarted from encroaching upon Hannah’s space “Outrageous!”
The old man’s fist slammed the table, fury igniting his aged features.
He leveled an accusatory finger at Hannah, eyes aflame as he turned to Wallace. “Haven’t you taught her any etiquette?”
Wallace remained seated on the distant sofa; muted. Since Hannah’s arrival, he’d scarcely spared her a glance. Instead, he opted to whisk out a cigar and wordlessly lit it.
Seated on the plush sofa, Hannah reclined leisurely, her gaze narrowed as she faced the accuser. “I was raised in Cadilind. Foreign etiquette isn’t familiar to me.”
The old man scoffed, his ire mounting. “Don’t you understand respect for your elders?”
Hannah’s smile was laced with defiance. “Who are you to me? Your name’s Compton, mine’s Moore. We hardly share a connection.”
Her retort left the old man breathless, his chest heaving with anger.
Sitting next to Amelie, Joselyn couldn’t contain her disdain. “Hannah, your arrogance is boundless! You’ve brewed quite a storm, and now my uncles are gathered here to untangle the mess you’ve made. And yet, you persist in your stubbornness!”
Hannah blinked with feigned innocence. “My mess? What mess? I’ve been busy negotiating for the Compton family in Blackeye. What trouble could I possibly stir?”
“Quit the act!” Joselyn spat. “Jeffry’s base was obliterated. You had a hand in it, didn’t you? Do you know how much trouble it will bring to the Compton family? Multiple factions in Caditown are demanding answers from my father and uncles. They want your head!”
As Joselyn finished, Amelie assumed a conciliatory tone. “Hannah, I understand your youthful vigor. What’s done is done. Pointing fingers won’t solve the matter. But your actions have ramifications. It places undue strain on the Compton family.”
The other Compton elders grew restless at Amelie’s clemency.
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“She’s the root of this turmoil! Hand her over, and we absolve ourselves from this strife! Besides, the banquet hasn’t even started yet and she’s already ignited chaos. We’ve yet to even acknowledge her as kin! Her return has only sown discord. A truly oblivious woman!”
The Chadwick family observed in silence, their eyes trained on Hannah.
Even as they contemplated surrendering her, Hannah’s composure remained unshaken. Their threats failed to incite fear; instead, a subtle smirk graced her lips.
Amelie’s doubts surfaced at Hannah’s composure.
Glancing at Wallace, Amelie proposed, “I know she’s your daughter by blood. I understand your reasons for shielding her. However, this situation has spun out of control. If we don’t surrender her, those demanding answers might not give up…”
With an embarrassed look on her face, she continued, “What about sending her abroad temporarily for her safety?”
Wallace, toying with an unlit cigar, remained contemplative juggling the lighter on his other hand.
Suddenly, hearing what she said, he sparked the cigar. The smoke swirled, veiling his intense gaze.
After a contemplative pause, he exhaled a plume of smoke and directed his sharp eyes at Hannah through the haze. “Are you willing to go abroad, lay low for a while?”
Meeting Wallace’s gaze head-on, Hannah’s smirk deepened. “Why should I hide?”
Before Wallace could respond, Hannah found herself surrounded by criticisms.