Chapter 276: Blaming Everything on Damien
"Why are you here?" Ruby shrieked. After all, she was the last person to see Deborah and Damien together. It was obvious they'd been in bed moments before, utterly helpless against some unseen force. Yet, ten minutes later, they were gone.
"Where are Deborah and Damien?" Oliver echoed her concern, swiftly scanning the room, as if searching for hidden figures.
Alexander's brow furrowed, his patience exhausted. He saw no need for pleasantries, meeting their gazes with an icy stare. The tension in the room was palpable.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. If you're so eager to find someone, why are you still here?" Alexander frowned, his indifference masking any hint of deception. "Why aren't they here? Did you—" Before Oliver could protest, Lydia slapped him. "Enough! You must be drunk to create such a scene with our guests."
After scolding her son, she apologized to Alexander and Isabella. "I'm so sorry. We've made a mistake. I'll apologize properly later."
"Madam Lydia, that's unnecessary. Whoever caused this should apologize," Isabella replied quietly.
Lydia smiled, then gave Alexander a knowing look. Both were astute; Alexander's subtle nod signaled that he'd helped the Winters family avoid disaster. Lydia wasn't sure where Deborah and Damien were, but she knew diverting attention was the right move.
"Get out!" she commanded, pushing the lingering Oliver.
Oliver, still smarting from the slap, glared angrily. "Something's wrong! Those two—"
"You!" Lydia exclaimed, incredulous at her son's malice. "Is he really my son?"
As a mother-son conflict loomed, Howard intervened. "How did this happen? A misunderstanding perhaps?"
"This is your engagement party. Stop ruining it!" Lydia's stern tone finally silenced Oliver.
Everyone attributed the incident to a misunderstanding and departed, wanting to avoid further conflict.
"No, if they're not here, they must be somewhere else," Ruby insisted, frantic. "They've been drugged. Even if they woke up and escaped, they couldn't leave the mansion. I saw them together—an affair! If we keep looking, we'll find them!"
The Carney family was enraged. "Where did this lunatic come from? Get her out of here!"
Ruby's outburst enraged Ava. "Who are you calling a lunatic?"
Lydia summoned security, clearing the room before a full-blown argument erupted. The situation was escalating rapidly if Deborah and Damien weren't found soon.
The Quirks were the last to leave, having enjoyed the unfolding drama and now, the sweet sight of their son embracing his wife—a rare and heartwarming moment.
Only after the door closed did Alexander release Isabella. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "You're amazing! Everything's under control!"
Alexander fought a smile; such compliments were rare. "Let's check on them. Keep them hidden; we'll have a private doctor see them."
Isabella nodded, heading to the wardrobe to examine Deborah. "Good heavens, what kind of sleeping pill was this? She's not waking up anytime soon."
Alexander checked on Damien, simultaneously updating his friends to discreetly bring a doctor and assuring them of Lydia's cooperation.
Meanwhile, speculation ran rampant.
"He schemed against his friends? Is he insane?" The group chat buzzed. His friends reassured him, promising to monitor the situation and make arrangements.
Lydia, however, had little time to help; the hall was a cacophony of angry voices. Alexander also heard Isabella's thoughts: Was Ruby naive, or simply opportunistic? She insists she saw it, even fabricating lies, painting Damien as a lecherous pervert interested in his sister-in-law. Is she trying to ruin his reputation, even without proof? She's foolish and malicious, like her mother. Yet, she's convincing because she's his sister. I can't believe this!
Alexander received updates; despite denials, sensational gossip spread easily. The absence of Deborah and Damien exacerbated the situation. Isabella thought: Oliver is frantic, wanting to search the mansion. They know the drug's effects; Deborah will suffer. This isn't just a scandal; it's a plot to destroy Damien. If Deborah believes it, it could ruin their relationship. How malicious!
Outside the bathroom, Alexander guarded Damien, who was struggling to regain control. Isabella thought: Madam Lydia is sharp. She knew they were hidden and didn't let her anxiety betray her. She let Oliver and his group continue their folly.
Alexander received a message: this approach was best; it allowed for precise timing of the doctor's arrival. All they could do was wait.
Isabella, curious, asked, "How is he?"
Alexander kept her at a distance, explaining the situation.
Finally, she exclaimed, "I can't believe their audacity! Putting aside their motives, their brazennessDamien and Deborah won't forget this. Once exposed, these people will have nowhere to run. They can't argue their way out of this; people aren't fools!"