Chapter 236: Chapter 236

Shelby wanted to turn around and find the source of the supposed threat, but at the same time, she could not bring herself to do that. Her rational mind told her that there was no way that any threat could penetrate Ian’s home security, but she could not deny how she felt at that moment. She tried to reign in her emotions as her gaze landed on Ingrid, and the little girl straightened.

’Does she feel it too?’ Shelby wondered, and then, mustering the courage, she turned slowly, and her eyes widened.

Nothing! There was absolutely nothing there! What was that? Did my imagination get so conspicuous?

’What was I expecting?’ Shelby asked herself again, but the puzzling thing was that the terrifying feeling had all but disappeared. It had taken 5-10 seconds at most, but she still felt goosebumps on her arms, which told her that she had not imagined what had happened.

Not wanting to alarm Ingrid, she helped Ingrid off the bed and into the bathroom.

"Mama Shelby, I can bath by myself,"

Ingrid nodded and made to step away, but Ingrid stopped her, "Can you stay with me, Mama Shelby ...?" Ingrid grew thoughtful after she said this, tilting her head to the side.

Shelby smiled, "Of course!"

But then she heard Ingrid add at the end of her sentence, "Mum!"

She had been in the middle of pushing down the toilet seat. She obviously froze and stared at Ingrid in surprise. There was something about the way Ingrid said it that made Shelby’s heart flutter. Shelby remembered the first time she let Gabriel and his distress over how to address her because of Aliya in his heart. She understood the significance of Ingrid’s words very much.

Ingrid blushed and lowered her head, getting into the prepared bath as if to avoid Shelby’s gaze.

"Ing-" Shelby opened her mouth and then closed it without saying anything. She knew that with that one word, she looked to have grown closer to Ingrid’s heart. Shelby’s smile widened, making her blue eyes sparkle with glee. She finally pushed the toilet seat down and sat on it, watching Ingrid take off her clothes and get into the bath.

Shelby loved this fact but was also a little nervous.

’I guess we can only take it one day at a time...’

In the Main Dining Area...

Geneva was the ’last’ to get seated in the dining room that same morning. Alex, Brad and Avril were already seated when Geneva got in.

Katie bowed and directed the maids to start setting the breakfast down. Even though there were only three of them, the quantity and number of items placed on the table did not decrease in the least. First came their standard coffees. Brad was the first to reach for a second helping, as he had already completed his first cup. He was yawning so hard.

"It is too early to be up. This is child abuse, ma!"

Geneva narrowed her eyes at her second son and felt it was useless to say anything. It was already 8 a.m., and he thought it was too early to be up?

’Why do I even bother with him.’

Geneva watched on as they served an exquisite platter of pancakes that looked too pretty to eat, with all the fruit decorations around it.

With that came a pitcher of freshly pressed grapes. That was standard for their dining. With their main trade as Wines, there was always one pressed fruit juice versus another. Geneva did not dwell too much on it and watched as the thinly sliced ham layered with different cheese was placed next.

Alex and his wife had a sweet tooth, so many sweet pastries were among the food served. Courtesy Ava had many varieties daily, which was always a delight.

Geneva took her attention off the servers and looked around,

"She is still prepping for the two upcoming events and asked to be excused from breakfast today."

Geneva frowned and turned to Katie,

"Tell her not to neglect her health with excuses like that!" Even with this, Geneva respected Ava’s wishes and did not bother her, but the older woman added, "Let them get a tray to her room." Katie did not even have to move as one of the maids sprang into action immediately.

Then, as if remembering, Geneva asked, "What is the second event? Are we not just prepping for the festival? What is the second thing?"

"Mum, it’s the wine-tasting event I am organizing to showcase the new wine recipe I brought out."

Alex smiled, and even Geneva also did. There was no sign of the previous day’s hostility in Geneva. She turned to Avril, who had spoken.

"Yes, mum. Brother Ian approved, so we’ll be getting it done by the weekend."

"Isn’t that too rushed?"

"Everything is done already. So, there is not much to be done, but you’re right; it’s a tight window. We want to finish it and test the response before the festival."

"Does it have to be done before? I—" Geneva stopped herself from talking anymore. Geneva had made it a point not to engage too much in company matters, so she sighed and nodded.

Geneva was not the madam of the Thornstons for nothing. She had a good grasp of everything that went on there.

Alex nodded at the conversation but did not participate. This was one of the reasons that he liked Avril. She was efficient in all her work-related tasks, but Alex wisely said nothing. He placed a few pancakes on a plate, added a hefty amount of syrup, and then placed it in front of his wife before helping himself to another.

They had been doing this for years, and nothing was extraordinary about it, but that did not mean that the children aspiring for relationships did not want something like that.

"OMG! There they go, again!" Brad muttered under his breath and rolled his eyes when Alex went ahead and placed a forkful of this on Geneva’s lips.

"Always reminding me that I am single! I must start eating in my room from now on." He added, mostly to himself.

"Did you sleep well?" Alex asked Avril, and she nodded,

"Where are brother Ian, Shelby and the kids?" Avril asked as the breakfast progressed, and there was no wisp of them. Avril looked around but did not see Shelby’s maid either.

The question was harmless enough, but it still sounded strange to some of the listening ears. "Miss Avril, they will not join the family for breakfast today." Katie chipped in from the back.

It looked like Alex and Geneva knew it because they did not even lift their heads. This time, even Alex did not say anything to that. After his talk with Geneva on Avril, Alex felt it wise to stay out of certain conversations.

".... But they were not here for dinner, too? I know how our family is strict with mealtimes. Did something change in the recent past? Why-"

Geneva sighed and placed her fork down gently.

"Why is it so important that they be here for this breakfast?"

"I – I did not mean that, Mum. I am just surprised ... and -"

Avril coloured. She had thought that Geneva would interrupt her in the middle of the conversation by snapping at her to give her probable cause for what she wanted to say or maybe to make her sound more justified in the tone that she was using, but Geneva just watched on patiently as if she was giving her, her whole attention.

This time, even Brad frowned. Geneva went back to her meal after that one word she uttered. Alex never looked up from his meal, making Avril look a little stupid in front of the maids, who had retreated to the side. Avril lowered her head and sipped her coffee. Her mood was unfathomable, but at least she kept quiet after that.

Back in the children’s room....

"Mum, are we having breakfast here today?" Ingrid asked thoughtfully.

"Mama Shelby, me too!" Gabriel climbed over Shelby’s lap on the floor and then settled himself there contentedly.

Shelby had spread a cloth on the floor and was seated comfortably with the two kids having breakfast. They were famished as they had all missed dinner the night before.

"Miss, I knocked for a long time, but she did not respond. I also opened the door and checked the room, but she was not there." Suzie replied, making Shelby’s shoulders droop in disappointment. She decided to let it go and then check on Samantha later.

Shelby was worried, but with Samantha shutting her out, there was little she could do, but that did not mean that she had given up!

"Are we going to school today?"

"Not today, Gabriel."

"Oh...." Gabriel’s face fell.

"Try to get some rest, and I’ll take you there next week."

"Can we go to Uncle Brad later?"

Shelby perked up at Gabriel’s question and then nodded.

A little later, Shelby finally walked into her and Ian’s room; after leaving the kids in Suzie’s care and stepping out, she finally felt how much she missed him. Shelby remembered that they had talked deep into the night but did not remember how and when she had fallen asleep.

Upon seeing him all dressed up on their couch, she could not resist the temptation and run to him.

Shelby rounded the couch and then leaned over Ian. She hooked her hands around his neck from behind, and then, when he lifted his head to look up at her in surprise, Shelby kissed him soundly.

It felt so satisfying to lead their kiss this time, and the upside-down kiss pulled an unknown thrill down her back.

"Good to finally meet you, young Mrs Thornston!"

Her mind vaguely registered that, and then she froze. She lifted her eyes to see a live laptop screen with multiple professional-looking men staring straight at her.

"Damn!" Shelby flinched and tried to move back, but Ian pulled her swiftly over his shoulder and onto his lap while deepening their kiss at the same time.

She did not even have the chance to let out the startled gasp.

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