“Shut up!”
Sadie, witnessing the turmoil, attempted to soothe Allison.
“Grandma, Declan is indeed at fault here, but he shouldn’t bear all the blame.”
Disgusted with Eliana, Sadie couldn’t help but point out, “Had Eliana reined in Declan then, he wouldn’t have strayed so grievously, leading to this debacle.”
She shot Eliana a scornful look and continued, “I warned Declan from the start against associating with her! Hannah was an exemplary sister-in-law, ousted so casually by this bitch. Surely, it was her shameless seducing that ensnared Declan!”
Sadie’s remarks were only meant to rile Eliana and her appreciation of Hannah was obviously false, given her past penchant for demeaning Hannah.
Eliana clenched her teeth, defiantly raising her head.
“Sadie, recall how you once acknowledged only me as your sister-in-law. Why this sudden change of heart?”
Sadie scoffed, “Declan’s taken a liking to you. What can I do? Who would have guessed you’d turn out so insufferable?”
“You!”
Exasperated by the uproar, Allison firmly rapped her cane on the floor.
“That’s enough! Everyone, leave this instant! Should this day’s events be mentioned again, consider yourselves banished from this household!”
Without a word of protest, Sadie complied, casting a sharp glance at Eliana before ascending the stairs.
“And you, remain kneeling until your parents return. Then you may stand.” Assisted by a maid, Allison rose and proceeded upstairs.
Beside Declan, Eliana knelt, gently pulling at his sleeve.
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“Please, Declan, don’t hold this against me. I admit my fault and I’ll try not to be so stubborn.”
Declan’s face remained unmoved by her plea, but deep down, he was no longer mad at her. After all, the funds Eliana spent on attire didn’t come from his family. So he responded tersely, “Acknowledging your mistake suffices. Kneel in silence, to avoid further inciting Grandma.”
“Okay. Eliana resigned herself to kneel quietly next to Declan, internally sneering at the situation.
At nine that evening, after several insistent calls from Alick, Lydia arrived at the bar with reluctance.
Stepping into the reserved room, she immediately noticed Alick, isolated and drinking.
The room, previously abuzz with chatter and laughter, fell into a hushed focus on her entrance, stirring a sense of unease within her.
“Lydia, it’s been ages! You’ve grown even lovelier!” With a warm smile, a woman motioned for Lydia to join them.
“Please, take a seat and chat with us. We were talking about you. It’s been ages since our last encounter. Without Alick, this reunion might’ve never happened.”
Lydia moved to take a seat but found herself guided to Alick’s side by the group of women.