A Crazy Night Novel

The scroll didn’t feature any incredibly exquisite paintings. Instead, only a phrase was written on it in bold letters: Rest in peace.

Wendy stared at the words on the scroll intently. Her mood soured as the kind smile gradually dissipated from her aged countenance. She clenched the armrests with her emaciated and shriveled hands.

“Christina, what do you mean by this!” Barnaby was the first to snap out of his shock. “The Stone family sincerely invited you to attend this birthday celebration. If you didn’t want to come, you could’ve declined. There’s no need for you to act so maliciously as to curse our family. Do you think the members of the Stone family are pushovers?”

Christina was also dumbfounded as the antique artwork she had bought for a hefty sum at an international auction had now become an ominous piece of junk.

Before leaving the house earlier, Christina had thoroughly checked the painting, and she could firmly say with a clear conscience there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

As for why the painting had been swapped, she reckoned there must be a complicated reason behind it that couldn’t be explained with just a few words.

Nathaniel shifted his piercing gaze onto Lyle. “What exactly is going on?”

That was the first time Lyle had made such a huge mistake. A cold sweat covered his forehead. “Mr. Hadley, Mrs. Hadley, I don’t know what happened. Mrs. Hadley and I carefully examined the painting and ensured it was fine before we departed from the house. I’m certain someone must ve tampered with the gift.”

Barnaby sneered. “You’re in this together, so you would naturally defend your employer. Isn’t this the Gibson family members’ style, saying one thing and doing another?”

Any sensible and clear-headed person could tell Barnaby harbored great prejudice against Christina as his remarks were filled with doubts and dissatisfaction toward her.

Nathaniel frowned in displeasure. “Old Mr. Stone, no one wishes something as inauspicious as this to occur during Old Mdm. Garcia’s birthday banquet. The Hadley family hasn’t fallen so low as to be unable to present a genuine antique artwork. You can be objective here, but you can’t blame us because of your biased opinion and make use of this incident to create unnecessary misunderstandings. Those not in the know might think you and the Hadley family have irreconcilable differences.”

Barnaby realize that he had displayed his true feelings toward Christina unreservedly in front of everyone. Colors drained from his face as he spoke. “I’m merely stating the facts. Although the relationship between the Stone and Hadley families has remained normal in recent years, we have never stood in one another’s way. According to you,

darkened as he calmly refuted, “Not once have I stated that I intend to cover up this

Sheridan piped up, “Grandpa, there might be more to this matter that we’ve yet to discover. I’m familiar with Christina’s character. She’s not an evil

“It seems there is at least still one smart and reasonable person left in

offended

about the insignificant

never allow anyone to bully his woman.

moment, every member of the Stone family present grimaced. Nathaniel is

Sheridan, as composed as he was, couldn’t help but

too much, Mr. Hadley. Today is my great-grandma’s hundredth birthday celebration. This was supposed to be a joyous event, but it unexpectedly turned south. My family members are displeased, so their language might’ve been slightly harsh. I hope you can be magnanimous and not take it to heart, Mr. Hadley.” Sheridan, exuding the poise of the head of his household, attempted to defuse the situation. “Since Christina and her bodyguard are certain there weren’t any issues with the antique painting before arriving at the venue, the gift must’ve been tampered with here.

both of them tacitly reached an agreement. She nodded. “Since we’re the guests, we shall gladly follow the host’s arrangements. Let’s do as you suggest, Mr. Stone. Nathaniel and I have no objections.”

that Sheridan had personally stepped in to solve the problem, other members of the Stone family naturally had to comply. After all, Sheridan held the position of the head of the family. Even Barnaby had

all the surveillance footage from the Stone residence

Stone.” The butler hastily turned and

a weary voice, “I’m a little tired, so I’m returning to my room to rest. I’ll let you younger generations

venue with the help of the

younger generations resolve that matter, an aged member of the family

greet the guests.”