Adele's brow furrowed as she looked around, realizing that James was right. Other guests seemed to be escorted to their tables by attentive staff members, but they were left to find their own place to sit."I don't see any staff members guiding us to our table," Charles added, who also noticed the difference.Adele remained composed, not wanting her family to worry unnecessarily. "It's alright, father. Maybe there was a mix-up in the arrangements. Let's find an empty table, and I'm sure everything will be sorted out."As Adele and her family discreetly searched for an available table, a group of guests had just arrived, and among them was Brenda. Brenda's cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and slight embarrassment as she led her family through the grand entrance. Hank and Sophie, had never attended such an extravagant event before. They looked around with wide-eyed wonder, their mouths slightly agape, taking in the opulence of the Windsor Manor.Brenda was accustomed to her famil
Amidst the small talk, Adele remained calm, oblivious to the attention she and Brenda were getting. She remained focused on the event organizers, who quickly reacted professionally, not letting the gossip affect her attitude.The event organizer scanned through the list, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she couldn't find the names "Beckett" and "Hurley" on her guest list. She double-checked, ensuring there were no misspellings or oversights. After a moment, she looked up with a friendly smile but a hint of confusion in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I don't seem to find the names 'Beckett' and 'Hurley' on our guest list. Are you sure you were invited to this event?"Brenda and Adele exchanged surprised glances, unsure of how to respond. Hank cleared his throat and stepped in, trying to lighten the tension. "It must be some mistake. We received invitations and RSVP'd."The event organizer triple-checked, flipping through the pages again. "I'm truly sorry, but they are not listed. Perhaps
Swallowing hard, she responded to Edward, trying his best to sound composed. "I... I apologize, sir. There was indeed a mix-up with their table assignment. It seems there was a clerical error, and their names were accidentally left off the guest list."Edward's face remained calm, but a flicker of annoyance passed through his eyes as he processed the information. He glanced briefly at Melanie, who was now suppressing a smile. He understood that this mix-up was likely orchestrated by Melanie herself to create a scene and put Adele and Brenda in an uncomfortable position. Though tempted to confront Melanie, Edward refrained from doing so. He understood the delicate balance in their relationship, given that she was to be his future wife and the ties between their families were intricate. Publicly chastising her would only create more tensions and lead to unwanted gossip, something he wished to avoid.As the event organizer hurriedly offered Adele and her companions a new table, Edward s
At the Windsor family table, Xavier sat regally, surrounded by some of the most influential figures in the room. As Edward approached, Xavier's warm smile greeted him, and he subtly gestured for the others to give them some space. The guests, knowing their place in the hierarchy, respectfully retreated.Hank, Sophie, Charles, and Jmes, their heart raced as she followed Edward's lead, their nervousness returning in full force. Sitting at the Windsor family table felt like a dream and a nightmare all at once. They were humbled by the opportunity, but also terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing in front of such esteemed company.Adele, who had experienced similar situations before, tried her best to appear composed for Brenda's sake. She understood the weight of the moment and silently hoped that Brenda would feel welcomed and accepted.As Brenda and Adele took their seats, Xavier greeted them with genuine warmth. "Welcome. It's a pleasure to have you both here tonight.""Thank you
Brenda nodded, grateful for Xavier's honesty and wisdom. She knew that being the wife of someone like Edward would require her to adapt and grow, but she was willing to face whatever came her way.Yes, she was unsure if she would be Edward's main wife, but she truly believed that she was the person he loved the most. Though Edward also had feelings for Adele, their relationship would not be what it was today without Ivy's intervention. As for Melanie, Brenda accepted the fact that they were arranged together and, until today, they didn't love each other. So, Brenda vowed to herself to work on maintaining the current state of Edward and Melanie's feelings."I understand," Brenda said, her voice steady. "I promise to do my best.""That's all I ask," Xavier said warmly. "I know that you and Edward will make a wonderful team. Just remember that you have the support of the entire family. If you ever need guidance or a listening ear, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us."As Xavier fini
With Xavier's acknowledgment, Victoria gracefully ascended the small stage that had been set up for the ceremony. All eyes turned to her, and the room hushed in anticipation.Her voice rang clear and composed as she began, "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and beloved family members, today, we gather here to witness a momentous occasion, the coronation of Edward Windsor as the ninth patriarch of the Windsor family."She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in, before continuing with a sense of pride in her voice. "The history of the Windsor family is one of resilience, strength, and unity. Through the years, our family has weathered numerous challenges and triumphed over enemies, standing strong as a pillar of tradition and nobility."Victoria then proceeded to recount key moments from the family's history, highlighting the accomplishments of past patriarchs. Her words resonated with the audience, invoking a sense of nostalgia and reverence for their rich heritage."Ed
As the banquet commenced, the grand hall was abuzz with excitement and celebration. Guests mingled and exchanged warm words of congratulations with Edward, but it wasn't just verbal congratulations that were offered.One by one, the guests approached Edward, each with a carefully selected and thoughtful gift. The presents were as diverse as the guests themselves, reflecting their individual status and influence in society. Some brought exquisite pieces of art and rare artifacts, showcasing their appreciation for culture and aesthetics. Others gifted rare and valuable gemstones, a display of their wealth and prominence. There were also symbolic gifts that carried profound meaning, as another guest, a prominent business tycoon, presented Edward with a partnership proposal that would bring significant economic growth to the Windsor family's enterprises. "I believe our collaboration will benefit both our families greatly," he stated confidently.As Edward graciously accepted each gift a
In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Eloise, who stood beside Edward, couldn't help but react impulsively to the horrifying gift. Her hand shot forward, and with trembling fingers, she snatched the small black velvet box from Edward's grasp. The unexpected action startled Edward, while her eyes widened in shock and horror at the sight of the gruesome contents inside.It was a severed finger, unmistakably belonging to her elder brother, Elias. The sight was heart-wrenching, and the ring on the finger confirmed her worst fears. It was Elias' signature ring, an heirloom that had been in their family for generations."Eloise, what's wrong?" Edward asked, concerned by her reaction.Ignoring Edward's concern and without hesitation, Eloise confronted Alexei, her emotions overpowering any fear of retaliation. She stepped forward, her hand grabbing the collar of Alexei's jacket, pulling him closer to her with a powerful adrenaline rush."Tell me the truth," she demanded, her voice firm and fi