Chapter 358: Chapter 358

Deep within the thick, shadowy forest, two cloaked figures faced each other, their silhouettes hidden by the fog that drifted lazily among the trees. Unlike previous times, when they had met, they were at odds with each other on this day.

The first figure exhibited restlessness, its cloak swirling wildly in a display of agitation as if attempting to escape the tension radiating from its wearer. Hands, scarcely visible beneath the cloak’s edge, sliced through the air with sharp, urgent gestures, emphasizing the fervent argument being presented.

Even with its face shrouded, every tilt of its head and twist of its body conveyed a sense of frustration and urgency—an individual on the brink of something it could hardly contain.

In sharp contrast, the second figure remained perfectly motionless, a beacon of unsettling calm amidst the emotional tempest emanating from its counterpart. Their cloak hung undisturbed, draped in tranquil folds that scarcely stirred as if held in place by an invisible force.

When they finally spoke, their voice emerged like a soft breeze—smooth, comforting, and nearly ethereal, reminiscent of someone who had long surpassed desire and conflict. Each word was measured, free of urgency or longing, conveying a tone that indicated they desired nothing from this world or the next.

This further agitated the first one as the thoughts that its arguments were not being treated with the seriousness that they deserved.

The most peculiar thing about these two figures was that their gender was impossible to discern, hidden in shadow and secrecy, yet they were well aware of themselves. Their voices lacked a clear identity, amplifying the enigma surrounding them. Were they friends, foes, or something even more intricate? That was something that was impossible for a third party to discern.

The night air was thick with their differing energies—one charged with rage, the other calm like a midnight lake. In that moment, under the cover of the trees, it felt as if the forest itself was holding its breath, silently observing the unspoken conflict taking place within it.

"This is not a place for you to be." The calmer one pointed out.

Not far from them lay the boundary of the Thornston vineyard fields that surrounded their estate. The calmer one had changed its stance and was trying to prevent he other one from doing whatever it had to this boundary to do.

"It has nothing to do with you, what I do or do not do! You have made your stance quite clear! I will take matters into my own hands!"

"You should know the consequences of your actions. Desist from it. You have taken more than necessary, and this is a fight that you will not win."

"Even if there is a 1% chance of me getting it done, I will take that chance!"

"Reconsider your choice."

"Will you reconsider helping me? With you in it, my chances to win will be doubled or even tripled!" It asked instead of responding to the question initially posed.

The calmer one remained quiet, unwilling to respond, because, as initially said, its stance had clearly been stated.

"I thought as much. If you don’t want to help, do not stand in my way!"

The agitated one brushed past the calm one and disappeared into the night. Its thoughts wre also already set in stone and nothing was going to deter it!

"You are but just a child, overruled with emotions. Certain battles with pre-determined outcomes are futile. You should learn to read the world and make adjustments accordingly."

Even though the calm one said this after the agitated, cloaked one had left, it knew that its words would definitely get to the ears that deserved to hear it. With a sigh, it also disappeared from there.

Thornston estate Gala Dinner....

At the back of the crowd of bustling guests, Suzie stood calmly. She had been more than surprised to see Katie there that evening and had taken a special note of all the features that Shelby and the rest had seen.

However, unlike the guests that had come in, Suzie more than understood what had happened to Katie.

’Her memory has been wiped!’

Suzie shivered ever so slightly and then concentrated on her task for the evening. She was to be by her mistress at all times, but because Ian was with Shelby, she took the back stand, but her eyes never left her task.

That evening, even though it was supposed to be a happy day for Alex and his family, lots of drama looked to be following them around.

Lucy looked back at the deserted pathway leading out of the estate and thought back to the guest, who had been thrown out after Sally and Molly had left. If Suzie could guess, this guest had only spent five to ten minutes before being thrown out in the full glare of all.

It was none other than April. April was Avril’s mother’s name. This was the widow of Alex’s friend. Like her daughter, April had ben well-catered for by Alex and his family. April used to stay in the Thornston family but had also moved abroad when Avril did.

She was as elegant and sophisticated as her daughter. Md. April had short dark hair and black eyes.

She had only rushed back after seeing the news of her daughter. Like Avril, Md. April was versed in the art of manipulation. Why else would she have come to the banquet to make a public ruckus? Suzie could guess based on the words that had been spoken.

Md. April had come to plead for her daughter and thought that public pressure could force Alex and Geneva’s hands to get her out. One needn’t have been there to guess the outcome of that confrontation. This had nothing to do with the people before her or the timing.

As soon as April had started crying and shouting: "My husband would turn in his grave! Look at what you’re doing to his only daughter?! I heard them call her such slutty and absurd names like ’Missy’s Delightful Wine’ and the like. How could you let her stoop so low? What did we do to deserve this, Alex? My daughter was in her prime when she came down to your home. Why does she look like a shell of her own self? Broken tooth-"

Alex draped his arms around Geneva’s shoulders and kissed her temple.

"How did she get in here?"

Before Md. April could understand what was going on, Alex ordered her and the family that had brought her in to be removed. It turned out that they had mainly slipped her into their car and brought April in. They never knew that would be why their whole family was booted out of the Thornston banquet.

No amount of begging helped any of them. This also served as a lesson to everyone around. When an invitation did not say to bring a plus one, then one shouldn’t do that!

Suzie wanted more than anything to erase this memory.

’I hope no other issues happen tonight!’ Suzie thought, but obviously, just wishing something does not make it manifest miraculously in the physical.

Just then, a maid walked up to Suzie and whispered something in her ears, which she, in turn, walked up to Shelby to tell her.

Shelby turned to face her in-laws and smiled tenderly.

"I am told that the meal has been set up."

Geneva nodded. Shelby picked up a wine glass and clinked against it, capturing the attention of all.

"Hello, all, welcome to the Thornston Baquet held in honour of our father’s birthday. We have set up a hall just through that door over there...." Shelby gestured to her left, where a long train of maids lined the small pathway into one of the rooms.

"Dinner has been served. Please make your way into the room for it. Also, if you brought any gifts, you could hand it over at the designated desk. I know that most of you would prefer to do it in person, too. For that, you can hand it over when our father is seated in that same room. Again, thank you for coming!"

Many of the guests, at this time, were more interested in the speaker than her words, but they still followed the crowd.

Ian took Shelby’s hand and rubbed it fondly,

"You did wonderfully!"

Ian let out a soft laugh and then gestured to Shelby so that they could leave. However, Suzie approached her again with a request, and Shelby turned to the side to address it. When Shelby turned back to Ian, she raised a brow in surprise.

’Some people never give up, heh?’ By Ian’s side was a brunette whom Shelby had never seen before. The most absurd situation was that this girl was openly flirting with her husband! Her Ian! Shelby couldn’t believe her nerve—right there in front of everyone, without an ounce of shame. The thing was that Shelby was barely a few feet away!

A wave of shock and outrage surged within her, making her heart pound. Who did this girl think she was, boldly throwing coy glances and soft laughs Ian’s way as if she had every right to? It was astounding, even infuriating. The audacity, the sheer nerve of it! Shelby clenched her fists, feeling indignation heat her neck, struggling to suppress the disbelief and anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Before her brain could even contemplate her subsequent actions,

"Miss, do you want to become the side chick or the concubine? I know that my husband is excellent, but isn’t it a bit rude for you to make claims on him in public when he is obviously married?"

Shelby continued without giving anyone a chance to rebut, "You look outstanding, and there are no two ways over that, but did no one tell you that beauty has to be both from the inside and the outside? Dressing prettily would not hide the stench of your true character!"

"You!" The girl screamed back at Shelby.

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