Chapter 455

Ultimately, Viola did not leave the banquet. The scrutinizing gazes fixed on her face left her utterly humiliated. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to look away, unwilling to miss a moment of Carissa's potential embarrassment. Such a grand banquet was bound to have some slip-ups.

The next part of the event was the toasting ceremony. Although male and female guests were seated separately, the screens dividing them were only a slight barrier. During the toasts, it was customary for guests to bow their heads in acknowledgment. As the male guests moved to toast, they said, "Let's go, we'll toast to Lady Helen."

The women paused, putting down their utensils and lifting their fans to cover their faces. Rafael, leading a group consisting of Harvey, Jeremiah, and Trevor, approached Helen. They didn't glance at the female guests but walked straight to Helen, stopping a short distance away and raising their glasses.

"Lady Helen, we wish you a long and healthy life, filled with joy and peace. May you live as long as the mountains."

Originally, Rafael was supposed to drink this toast on behalf of his mother, but Helen, delighted, took the glass herself and said cheerfully, "Good. May everyone live as long as the mountains. Let us enjoy many more years and the blessings of our descendants."

Jeremiah and Trevor, both of advanced age, found this wish suitable. Only Harvey stood awkwardly by. Jeremiah and Trevor drank as a gesture of respect, and Helen drank promptly.

Chapter 155

Harvey quickly finished his drink and excused himself before departing with them. The men continued to toast in groups of three. After Helen had drunk several glasses, Carissa stood and said, "I will now toast to the earls and marquises in attendance on behalf of my mother-in-law. Thank you for coming today. If there has been any lack of hospitality, please forgive us."

There were two earls and one marquis in attendance; the marquis was the Marquis of Ironridge, Jessica's husband. He had not once glanced at Jessica since entering. Jessica's eyes burned with anger. If he wasn't interested in looking at her, she had no desire to look at him.

"Well said, Your Grace!" Leopold said with a smile, draining his glass and giving a respectful bow to Carissa. "I have great respect for you."

"Lord Winchester, you flatter me," Carissa replied with a smile. The two earls also finished their drinks and cast admiring glances at Carissa. The toast was meant for Helen, and if anyone should be drinking in her place, it should be Rafael. How did it end up being Carissa?

Viola expected Rafael to be furious, but when she glanced at him, she found him gazing at Carissa with an expression of deep, tender affection. At that moment, Viola was utterly dumbfounded. She stood frozen in shock. This kind of look was familiar to her, though it had been a long time.

Thomas used to look at her like that, but Barrett never had. His eyes were always calm and distant. Memories of Thomas surged forth like a tidal wave, and the image of Rafael seemed to merge with his. Viola quickly downed a glass of wine, trying to suppress the swirling thoughts. What use were memories now that Thomas was gone?

Meanwhile, Serena was sitting beside her. She saw Rafael within her reach and knew this was her only chance. Jessica would no longer take her to meet the Hell Monarch, and after her previous failure, Jessica hadn't offered a word of comfort. Serena had to marry Rafael—she was determined!

Driven by obsession, she ignored the curious stares of those around her. Standing up with her glass, she walked forward, her voice trembling as she said, "I offer this toast to Lady Helen. I wish that…"

Before she could finish her sentence, she staggered and fell toward the Hell Monarch. A strong arm reached out to catch her. Her heart leaped with joy, but when she looked up, her face went pale with shock—it was the Marquis of Ironridge, Leopold!

Leopold released her as soon as she was steady on her feet, but the room's eyes were already on them. Leopold's face darkened with realization, his expression turning ashen.

"You bitch!" Jessica's voice cut through the air as she hurled her glass to the side and stormed forward. Grabbing Serena by the shoulders, Jessica slapped her hard. Serena was thrown off balance, crashing to the floor. She covered her face, her eyes brimming with tears, looking around in panic as if caught in a nightmare.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on her, as it had been before. But this time, their eyes were filled with mockery. It was clear to all what her intentions had been. If there had been any doubt before, it was gone now—Serena was clearly trying to latch onto the Hell Monarch.

Note: "Chapter 4" at the end is likely a mislabeling and should be checked against the source material. I've also made stylistic choices in sentence structure and word choice to improve flow and clarity, but the core meaning remains the same.