Chapter 146
Chapter 146
As Finn and Daron picked up their forks, everyone else at the table followed suit.
Chloe sat between Mallory and Joyce, and she could practically feel the tension radiating from both sides.
Without betraying any emotion, she glanced at Joyce, noticing that Joyce had already regained her composure. A faint smile tugged at Chloe’s lips. She was clearly here for the show.
After a moment, Chloe leaned over and whispered to Mallory.
“Ms. Gill, why aren’t you sitting at the main table?”
After all, she was Mina’s own sister. No matter what, she should be sitting at the main table.
Mallory’s expression shifted slightly.
For one thing, she and Mina didn’t get along.
And for another, she was never really valued in her own family.
Mina always managed to outshine her, and after that incident at the Snowy Pavilion with Kara, the Gill family found out and grounded her for days. Ever since she was let out, she hadn’t set foot in the Gill family home for a long time.
Even though both families were on board with Mina and Zack’s engagement, the Gill family was definitely punching above their weight with the Clark family.
The Gill family didn’t want Mallory making them lose face in front of the Clarks, so they kept her away from the main table.
It was no secret that Mallory was never the favorite in the Gill family.
Now, with Chloe asking that question, it was like she was rubbing salt in Mallory’s wounds.
If anyone else had asked her that, Mallory would’ve snapped at them in a heartbeat.
But since Chloe was so close with Joyce, Mallory just managed a weak smile and replied in a flat tone.
“It’s all the same to me,” she said.
Joyce gave a faint smile and spoke in a calm voice, “How could it be the same?
“Even the Clark family’s goddaughter gets a seat at the main table. If you, the Gill family’s actual daughter, don’t go over, won’t people start gossiping?”
A flash of annoyance flickered in Mallory’s eyes as she tightened her grip on her chopsticks. She shot Marina a look, with a bit of resentment in her gaze.
Honestly, nobody had paid her any attention before.
But now that Elnora was the Clark family’s goddaughter, Mallory, the Gill family’s actual daughter, not getting a seat at the main table was even more humiliating.
Marina caught Mallory’s look and could only roll her eyes internally.
‘Really? She’s pinning this on me too?‘ Marina thought to herself.
Mallory sure had a unique way of seeing things.
11:33 Tue, Dec 30 JR!
Chapter 146
Since it was just an engagement party and not a full–blown wedding, there were way fewer formalities to deal with.
After Zack and Mina made the rounds, toasting each table as a formality, they finally returned to the main table.
Mina’s smile was nowhere near as happy as when things started.
Zack’s face was tight with tension.
Elnora, meanwhile, was calmly conversing with Evan, looking totally unfazed.
Marina had been worried about Elnora all along. After all, she was the only one at that table who didn’t
Fortunately, the Clark family didn’t make things difficult for Elnora.
long
The Clark family estate was massive, and they chose this place specifically so everyone could kick back and enjoy themselves after dinner.
They already had a game room set up inside.
Right outside, there was their own riding club and golf course.
After dinner, Mallory suggested they hit the golf course.
But since nobody had brought anything to change into, everyone passed on her idea.
So in the end, everyone gathered upstairs for some card games and board games.
The Clark family had specifically set up a table in one of the private lounges.
Kara was the first to plop down, taking over one side like she owned the place.
Chloe and Joyce were right behind her, grabbing their seats too.
Marina wasn’t really into card or board games. She couldn’t help worrying about Elnora.
When everyone headed upstairs, she tried to get Elnora to come along with her.
But Evan wanted to introduce Elnora to a guest from Port City, so Elnora ended up staying downstairs.
Marina had no choice but to head upstairs with Daron.
Kara had been buried in work lately and hadn’t touched a card game in forever. Now that she finally sat down, she was dying to play. Spotting Mallory lingering off to the side, she called out to her.
“Why are you just standing there spacing out? Come on, grab a seat,” Kara said.
Mallory was just about to sit down when Joyce shot her a look that stopped her in her tracks.
Her hand paused on the chair, her face a little stiff. She awkwardly waved off Kara’s invitation.
“It’s fine, you guys play. I gotta help my sister with the guests soon,” Mallory said.
Kara let out a sharp “tsk” of annoyance.
“Suit yourself,” she said.
Just then, Joyce spotted Marina coming in with Daron. She waved her over with a friendly smile, looking all warm and welcoming.
11:33 Tue, Dec 30 JR
Chapter 146
“Ms. Finley, why don’t you join us?” Joyce said.
Mallory couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the back of the chair.
Kara could instantly tell that Joyce was definitely plotting something.
“She’s not into card games,” Kara said.
Marina never really cared for playing cards, which was why Kara hadn’t bothered to invite her earlier.
Joyce spoke lightly, “Zachary and his brother will be joining us soon. Daron and Finn can have their own more with them There are still a few hours until dinner, Ms. Finley. If you don’t play cards, won’t you be bored?”
Mallory, already salty toward Marina, wasted no time chiming in.
“Marina, don’t tell me you’re so broke you can’t even put down a bet?” Mallory sneered.
“Look at you, just a few years out of Vrufield and you’re already scraping the bottom of the barrel?”
Marina was about to turn Joyce down, but Mallory’s jab totally put her on the spot.
Kara’s expression darkened. “Mallory, what’s that supposed to mean?”
Mallory smirked, her smile never reaching her eyes.
“Hey, no offense, Marina. If you’re strapped for cash, I can always lend you some,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Kara let out a cold laugh.
“Do you really think she needs a loan from you? What, you got more money than Daron now?” she shot back.
Mallory instinctively looked over at Daron.
Sure enough, Daron gave her a frosty once–over, and she instantly panicked.
“Daron, that’s not what I meant,” she hurried to explain.
Daron’s gaze was indifferent as he glanced at her, barely sparing a second, like even one more look would ruin his mood.
Joyce smiled lightly, leaning in toward Marina as she spoke.
“Ms. Finley, are you in or not?”
Marina could see right through Joyce and Mallory double–teaming her. They were just trying to roast her in front of
everyone.
She didn’t get pissed off, though. Instead of saying no, she just flashed a smile and nodded, playing along.
“I’m in,” she said.
Joyce curled her lips into a sly smile. “Come on, then. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
If Marina refused to play, everyone would just assume she’d been down on her luck in Sicester all these years.
But if she joined in, Joyce was ready to make sure Marina lost so badly she’d be totally embarrassed.
Bottom line, Joyce was out to embarrass Marina no matter what she did.
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Chapter 146
So before she walked over to the table, she glanced at Daron, her voice soft and a little pleading.
“Daron. I’m not really good at this. Can you help me out?”
Kara, sitting at the table, perked up as she caught sight of Joyce’s face turning sour right across from her. She couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased.
‘Now that’s my bestie!‘ Kara thought. ‘She’s a pro at getting on people’s nerves!
Marina’s eyes were bright and mischievous as she spoke, a sly glint flickering in her gaze.
Daron looked down at her, saying nothing.
Marina tugged at his sleeve, leaned in, and whispered softly.
“Come on, help me out, Daron. I’m yours, you know. You can’t just stand there and let them put me on blast. If anyone’s gonna put me in my place, it better be you, not them.”
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
