He made his way to the dining table and took a seat. “Luckily, I got here in time.”
Hannah settled down and resumed her oatmeal, studying him with confusion. “How did you anticipate that something would happen? And why did you come from the second floor?”
The plate of food Bryson hadn’t touched earlier was now Winston’s.
Taking a hearty bite out of the sandwich, Winston casually revealed, “I scaled up from the bedroom window in the guest room. After escorting the young master of the Lyons family to change last night, I was intercepted by Mr. Mitchell.”
“He instructed me to vacate with my younger sister and not return for the time being. After leaving the banquet, I took my sister with me. When I returned this morning, I spotted Mr. Mitchell slipping out the window. He mentioned that Miss Compton was causing you all trouble and asked me to come down from the second floor to assist.”
Hannah gripped her spoon and gasped. “I knew I’d forgotten something. Alessandra was missing.”
Internally cursing Bryson, it seemed he had already laid a trap.
Seething with rage, Hannah resolved to teach him a lesson when he reappeared.
Engrossed in contemplation, she absentmindedly agitated her oatmeal with vigor. Across from her, Maloney watched as a swirling vortex took shape in her bowl.
With a playful tone, he quipped, “Miss Moore, I can almost see your spoon gleam.”
Hannah slammed her spoon onto the table. “I’ve lost my appetite. Enjoy your meal.”
Winston, startled by her sudden fury, stepped back, still holding the sandwich.
“Calm down. According to the news we received this morning, the announcement that was supposed to be made last night hasn’t been disclosed. Other families are displeased about it. The Lyons family has proposed for the six prominent families to assemble and engage in discussions regarding cooperation. This would also be an opportune time for the younger members of the clans to meet.”
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Hannah, now composed, rested her chin on her hands and chuckled, “I’m not interested. I have no desire to be involved in the Compton family’s cooperation. Let Wallace take care of it himself.”
“Is that so?”
Maloney set aside his phone, turning to Hannah. “The Lyons family specifically requested your presence at the party, Miss Moore. Skipping it isn’t an option.”
Hannah’s lips tightened in annoyance as she scanned the List of guests, her jaw clenching with each name she scrolled through.
Abruptly, she recoiled in surprise at the sight of a particular name.
“Bowen Holmes?”
The information Winston had shared with her the previous night resurfaced in Hannah’s mind. She turned to Winston, inquiring, “Bowen Holmes… Is he the head of the Holmes family, one of the four clans?”
“Err.” Winston pulled a napkin to dab at the corners of his mouth.
“Bowen Holmes used to lead the Holmes family, but he has since retired. Despite being invited, the Holmes family typically does not participate in banquets of this nature.”
Hannah nodded in understanding as she perused the list. After finishing, she looked up, bewildered. “Aren’t they focusing on inviting individuals from the six families? Why is Bryson also on the guest list?”
“What?”