120Angela, sensing the escalating tension, stepped between them, her voice firm yet pleading. "Enough, both of you. This is neither the time nor the place. We're here to celebrate my grandfather's birthday, remember?"The reminder seemed to cool the immediate hostility, though the air remained char
121Angela, noticing her grandfather first, broke into a relieved smile, the stress lines around her eyes softening. "Grandpa!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth. Henry, noticing the tail end of the confrontation, raised an eyebrow but said nothing of it for the moment. Instead, he focuse
122As Jason unveiled the grandfather clock, whispers and murmurs swept through the room like a tide, rising in volume and intensity."Isn't that by Jean-Antoine Lépine?" one guest whispered to another, eyes wide in admiration and disbelief.The recipient of the whisper, equally awestruck, nodded vi
123The room erupted in a mix of gasps and murmurs. The guests turned to one another in a flurry of hushed whispers. "A replica?" said one. "How could Jason pass it off as the real thing?" wondered another. Grandpa Wiltshire looked perplexed. "I don't understand, what do you mean it's not genuine
124The sound of the slap resonated through the room. Silence fell, thick and heavy, as every eye fixed on Jason and Grandpa Wiltshire, the tension palpable.Jason, his cheek reddening from the force of the slap, staggered back, his eyes alight with a mix of shock and rage. "You... you have no right
125Angela was about to respond, her frustration bubbling to the surface, when she caught Darwin's eye. He was standing there, his expression calm but his jaw tightening slightly, a clear sign he was also annoyed but trying to keep the peace. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emoti
126Darwin arrived at The Golden Fork just before 8, the early morning sunlight casting a warm glow over the city. The upscale restaurant was known for its exclusivity and privacy, making it an ideal location for discreet meetings. As he entered, the familiar scent of rich espresso and buttery pastr
127As Darwin and Alastair exited The Golden Fork, the morning sun had grown brighter overhead. Their discussion had lifted Darwin's spirits, filling him with a renewed sense of purpose. Facing Maxwell directly was a risky plan, but it gave him agency in toppling the man who'd caused him so much gri