Chapter 957

Kale couldn’t fathom why Drake was so sure about that. Just then, a voice from outside the suite announced, “Boss, Mrs. Houston is here.”

“And Marion?” Drake asked.

“No sign of him,” the guard replied.

Drake nodded with satisfaction. “Good. I’ll go greet her.”

The guard was surprised that Drake wanted to welcome Debra in person. Kale turned to the staff and ordered, “Clean up the room.”

The staff entered and saw more than a dozen suits laid out on the bed. It showed how seriously Drake was taking this engagement party.

In the banquet hall, the guests were all business associates of the Bernard family, many of whom were dissatisfied with Marion’s leadership. Debra entered and felt countless eyes on her. Their hostility and scrutiny were plain to see. Everyone knew that Marion had come back with his new wife this time. Although they weren’t officially married, their relationship was public knowledge. Almost everyone there knew Cathryn’s affection for Marion. Many had assumed Cathryn would marry Marion one day. Naturally, Debra, an outsider from Seamar City, wasn’t warmly received.

“Who invited her?” a voice muttered from a corner.

Debra turned to see Cathryn, her expression far from friendly.

“I invited her,” Drake announced from the second floor, descending the stairs like a peacock on a runway. He looked Debra up and down, feigning indifference. “You arrived faster than I expected.”

Debra glanced around, feeling the animosity in every stare. “It seems I’m not very welcome here.”

“How could that be?” Drake replied loudly, ensuring everyone heard him. “How could anyone not welcome Mrs. Houston?”

The crowd immediately showered Debra with insincere praises, as if their previous hostility had never existed.

Frustrated that Drake’s attention wasn’t on her, Cathryn stepped forward and linked her arm with his. “It’s our engagement party. Why didn’t you tell me Mrs. Houston was coming? I should have greeted her.”

Drake looked down at her arm and coolly replied, “Our guests there need your attention.”

Cathryn bristled at his formal address, feeling rebuked in front of Debra. The air was charged with tension. Cathryn hesitated before awkwardly letting go of Drake’s arm. “I’ll go over to entertain them.”

Drake nodded and watched her leave.