The Phillips family had arranged for a light breakfast in the living room. It was still early, they had plenty of time before they needed to be at the hotel.
Acquaintances from other prominent families mingled and chatted with them.
When Hannah walked into the foyer side by side with Bryson, there was a collective gasp from the crowd.
“No way! What is Mr. Mitchell doing here?”
“Is he here to attend Lydia’s engagement banquet? Does he have any business with the Phillips family?”
“Quit blabbering. Don’t you know that he’s in love with the woman he came with? And get this, she is Mr. Edwards’ ex-wife, and…”
The woman trailed off as she felt a piercing gaze boring into her head. She clamped her mouth shut out of fear.
Jaylin stepped forward and greeted Bryson warmly.
“Mr. Mitchell! What an honor it is to have you on my daughter’s special day. I-“
“I came here with Hannah,” Bryson cut him off in a cold voice.
The rest of Jaylin’s platitudes died in his throat. He forced a smile at Hannah and said, “Lydia is upstairs. You should go and check on her.”
Hannah nodded and walked to the stairs, Bryson trailing behind her like a devoted puppy. She held her head high and ignored the whispers that ensued when she passed by.
Lydia had just finished putting her makeup on. She was sitting in front of her dresser, already clad in her party dress.
As soon as Hannah stepped into the room, Lydia jumped to her feet and hugged her friend.
The Phillips family had arranged for a light breakfast in the living room. It was still early, they had plenty of time before they needed to be at the hotel.
Acquaintances from other prominent families mingled and chatted with them.
When Hannah walked into the foyer side by side with Bryson, there was a collective gasp from the crowd.
“No way! What is Mr. Mitchell doing here?”
“Is he here to attend Lydia’s engagement banquet? Does he have any business with the Phillips family?”
“Quit blabbering. Don’t you know that he’s in love with the woman he came with? And get this, she is Mr. Edwards’ ex-wife, and…”
The woman trailed off as she felt a piercing gaze boring into her head. She clamped her mouth shut out of fear.
Jaylin stepped forward and greeted Bryson warmly.
“Mr. Mitchell! What an honor it is to have you on my daughter’s special day. I-“
“I came here with Hannah,” Bryson cut him off in a cold voice.
The rest of Jaylin’s platitudes died in his throat. He forced a smile at Hannah and said, “Lydia is upstairs. You should go and check on her.”
Hannah nodded and walked to the stairs, Bryson trailing behind her like a devoted puppy. She held her head high and ignored the whispers that ensued when she passed by.
Lydia had just finished putting her makeup on. She was sitting in front of her dresser, already clad in her party dress.
As soon as Hannah stepped into the room, Lydia jumped to her feet and hugged her friend.
“You’re finally here! God! I’m so nervous!”
Sure enough, Hannah could feel how cold Lydia’s fingertips were.
“Don’t worry. Brayden and I took care of everything. He’s been preparing for this day for a long time. Nothing will go wrong, I promise.”
While the women talked, Bryson wordlessly walked back to the door and yanked it open.
Henry came stumbling into the room, falling flat on his face.
“Damn it!” He rubbed his aching forehead and cursed.
Click.
Bryson had already closed the door again. He turned the lock and stared down at the man with a menacing glint in his eyes.
Henry’s first instinct was to berate Lydia, but when he realized that Hannah and Bryson were also there, he froze.
Lydia was furious.
“You’re finally here! God! I’m so nervous!”
Sure enough, Hannah could feel how cold Lydia’s fingertips were.
“Don’t worry. Brayden and I took care of everything. He’s been preparing for this day for a long time. Nothing will go wrong, I promise.”
While the women talked, Bryson wordlessly walked back to the door and yanked it open.
Henry came stumbling into the room, falling flat on his face.
“Damn it!” He rubbed his aching forehead and cursed.
Click.
Bryson had already closed the door again. He turned the lock and stared down at the man with a menacing glint in his eyes.
Henry’s first instinct was to berate Lydia, but when he realized that Hannah and Bryson were also there, he froze.
Lydia was furious.