As silence threatened to invade, Marcus groaned upon recalling how disrespectful Zinnia had been earlier. "Look, Duncan is in Grandma's good books, and we can't just sit back and let him and Zinnia take over the company," Marcus asserted, deep in thought. Lisa supported, "Marcus, you've done a lot for the company. You should be the next successor." Marcus frowned, contemplating the implications. "I don't trust him. We can't let everything slip away." Lisa sighed, "Fine, let's discuss this later. It's too much for one conversation." They left Zinnia's room, the weight of impending decisions hanging in the air. Zinnia returned home later in the night after the family had dinner, and headed straight to Ma'am Luna's room. "Zinnia, you're back," Ma'am Luna acknowledged. “Yes, Grandmother.” Laila walked up to her. "Tell me everything about Duncan's encounter with Lady Zelda." Zinnia sighed, "Well, he chased after a thief who stole Lady Zelda's purse. Tried to be a hero, you kn
Duncan left, leaving Marcus seething with anger. As Marcus attempted to go after him, Zinnia stepped in, blocking his path. "Hold on there, Marcus. You should think twice before tangling with Duncan. He has become quite dauntless."Marcus scowled, "I don't care. He deserved that punch and for hitting me, he deserves more than just having his face rubbed on poop."Zinnia tauntingly warned, "Be careful, Marcus. The next time, you might lose more than just some blood like Duncan said. Duncan isn't one to back down easily."Undeterred, Marcus retorted, "I can handle him just fine." Zinnia's eyes glinted with a triumphant smile. "We'll see about that." With that, she left Marcus standing there, contemplating the repercussions of the altercation. The air in the room hung heavy with unresolved tension, and the family dynamics seemed more strained than ever, with Zinnia reveling in the aftermath of the confrontation.When it was only Marcus, Bella, and Lisa left in the living room, Lisa ap
Duncan closed the door of the wine cellar securely, facing Zinnia with a composed demeanor. "So, what have you discovered?" he inquired, maintaining an air of confidence.Zinnia, ever perceptive, sniffed the air. "Do I smell wine? Were you hiding in there and drinking?" she questioned, her eyes narrowing.Duncan chuckled, attempting to deflect, "Oh, just checking the quality of the family's collection.” He decided to be more humorous. “You know, making sure it's suitable for Lady Zelda's party."Seeing through him, Zinnia's skepticism intensified. "You find this amusing, Duncan?" she retorted, her patience waning.Duncan, unfazed, continued with a smirk, "Well, it's not every day one gets accused of wine theft in their own mansion."Her irritation growing, Zinnia countered, "I'm not talking about the wine. I'm talking about what you're up to, Duncan."“Me? I wasn't up to anything.” Duncan shrugged."Why are you lurking around the wine cellar then, Duncan?" Zinnia questioned, her eye
As Lady Zelda's gaze fixated on their direction, Laila's lips parted in awe, and she nudged Zinnia, both admiring the ageless beauty before them. Their whispered admiration was abruptly silenced by Ma'am Luna, who cast a stern glance their way.In a hushed tone, Ma'am Luna ordered, "Enough. Duncan, find us a better table, away from prying eyes."Duncan, ever compliant, nodded, "Right away, Ma'am Luna," and began navigating through the crowd to secure a more discreet location for their party.Laila and Zinnia exchanged knowing glances, aware that even in the grandeur of the event, Ma'am Luna was strategic in positioning herself and her family to maintain an air of exclusivity. Hidden motives continued, with Lady Zelda becoming the focal point of Ma'am Luna's veiled intentions. Lady Zelda, the epitome of grace, captivated the room with her presence. The party unfolded with a series of events, the Walton family navigating the social intricacies with smiles and carefully chosen words.
Taking a casual sip from his glass, Duncan muttered, “Fools,” under his breath, ensuring Zinnia didn't catch his remark. As he casually scanned the room, his eyes landed on Abigail in a corner, prompting a smile to grace his lips. He arose.Zinnia, growing increasingly intolerant of his behavior, questioned, “Where are you going?”“To say hello to some pretty women catching my eye,” Duncan replied nonchalantly. Annoyed, Zinnia punched the table slightly and grabbed his wrist. “Don't insult me, especially not in front of my mother and grandmother, okay?” she seethed, teeth gnashing in frustration. Duncan, unfazed, shrugged and winced at her grip. Warning her not to boss him around, he left her fuming at the table. Expressing frustration, Zinnia declared, “I feel like getting rid of him.” Ma'am Luna, recalling Zinnia's past infidelity, reminded her, “Don't forget you cheated on him.”Dismissing Duncan's worth, Zinnia retorted, “He's useless.”Her mother, pragmatic, advised, “Don't
Lady Zelda is seated at her highly uplifted seat, hovering her eyes over the guests. Karla walked up to her and as Karla settled next to Lady Zelda, she couldn't help but notice her discomfort. Lady Zelda's eyes were fixed on Ma'am Luna, and there was a distinct grimace on her face.“Aunt Zelda, everyone at this party is honored to be here, you know. They are chanting your name,” Karla remarked with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.Lady Zelda acknowledged Karla's words, but her gaze remained fixed on Ma'am Luna. Karla observed the tension and gently tapped Lady Zelda, drawing her attention. “Yes. Did you say something, dear?”Concerned, Karla inquired, “Aunt, you were lost earlier. What's wrong? Are you okay?”Lady Zelda hesitated for a moment, struggling to find the right words.Karla nodded. “Okay. I understand. You can't be okay when the Lennart family is at your party.” Finally, she confessed, “Exactly. I really don't know why Duncan wanted this. Seeing my husband's kille
The room echoed with the gravity of the situation. Abigail knelt beside Karla, her eyes wide with shock and guilt. Abigail tried to wake up Karla, panic rising as she checked her pulse. She heaved a sigh of relief, realizing Karla was still alive. Unsure of what to do, Abigail pondered her options until a decision crystallized in her mind. She needed to hide Karla from the unfolding chaos.With determination, Abigail dragged Karla to the closet and pushed her inside. As she closed the closet door, her heart raced with apprehension. Footsteps approached, causing Abigail to gasp in fear. The door opened, and Duncan walked in, his eyes immediately scanning the room."Duncan," Abigail greeted, trying to appear composed despite the turmoil within.Duncan's eyes narrowed as he noticed the tension in Abigail's demeanor. "Hey. Why are you here? Where is Karla? What's going on?"Abigail hesitated for a moment, then fabricated a lie. "Oh, Karla had a sudden headache, so I helped her lie d
After a tense moment, Karla cautiously opened her eyes and saw Abigail placing the vase on the couch. Confused, she watched as Abigail walked towards the door, leaving Karla bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. As the door closed behind Abigail, the room hung heavy with the aftermath of unspoken threats and an uncertain future. The fragile balance between them teetered on the edge, and the echoes of their confrontation reverberated through the room, leaving both women grappling with the consequences of their choices. After a while, Ma'am Luna and Laila excused themselves, leaving Zinnia alone at the table with strict instructions. "Zinnia, you stay right here and don't go anywhere," Ma'am Luna warned. As they left, Zinnia's frustration bubbled to the surface. "Ugh, seriously? What am I, a child?" She muttered under her breath, eyeing the room restlessly. The absence of Duncan added to her annoyance, and she cursed him for not being around when needed. Zinnia glanced a