Love At The Wrong Table

“Lara, shut up!” Mackenzie glared at Lara,

After all, there was a saying about keeping family matters private. Lara’s words risked embroiling not only herself but also Emmanuel and the entire Quillen family in unnecessary controversy.

What was the truth, and did they even know about it?

“Mackenzie! Fine, I won’t speak. But you’ve got to listen to what everyone else is saying. Stop being so stubborn!” Lara’s defiance was evident in her tone, though her words seemed to imply there was more than met the eye.

Mackenzie’s expression turned colder by the second, like an iceberg. She clenched her fists in frustration at her sister’s words.

“Lara, stop making things difficult for Mackenzie! Just shut it!”

Just as Lexi and Beatrix pondered Mackenzie’s next move, a sudden roar filled the room.

Even Ashton was taken aback by Gautier’s unexpected support for Mackenzie in such a critical moment.

All attention shifted toward the man as he clutched his arm. His complexion was paling with pain. “I stand by Mackenzie’s decision-”

But before he could finish, he faltered and collapsed to the ground.

“Mr. Verkade!”

“Mr. Gautier!”

“Gautier!”

surrounded Gautier, and the scene immediately became

Her

as she pondered Gautier’s motives. It felt like she stood on a pedestal without a means of descent, as if the

“Mackenzie!!”

Silverbane family for your sake. Can

to stab

when her emotions surged. Beatrix wondered

the turmoil, her concern for Gautier couldn’t be ignored. Everyone present knew he had been injured while shielding

Verkade, hang on. Do you need to go to

Gautier’s eyes fluttered open. His grasp on her delicate hand tightened as a foolish smile graced his lips.

marionette with strings wound tightly around her, rendering her unable to move and entirely under the control of

proved well-founded as his gentle persuasion rendered her defenseless against his

sidelines, Ashton shook her head in disbelief at the unfolding drama. She couldn’t help but think, What a mess! It

go of my

of confrontation with the Verkade family, a commanding voice

sent

“Emmanuel?”

“Emmanuel!”

Beatrix, and Lexi, all voicing their

intensity of Emmanuel’s presence. He was a tempest in

moment, a storm