Chapter 213 Utterly Embarrassed
“Eunice, every position within Lockhart Group is earned through dedication and merit. If a pampered young lady like yourself were to join, it might disrupt the balance. Others may struggle to accommodate your lifestyle, potentially leading to issues within the team,” Madelyn stated with a clear tone of disdain.
“Madelyn, how can you speak like that? Eunice is your sister!” Regina immediately protested, visibly upset and convinced that Madelyn was deliberately trying to provoke her.
Madelyn, unfazed, continued with deliberate intention, “She is my sister, which makes it even more imperative that she doesn’t join. Haven’t you both noticed her behavior by now?”
Madelyn knew what she was doing. Eunice’s subtle maneuvers to get closer to Sebastian were not going to slip by.
“Sebastian already shoulders enough responsibility as the person in charge of Lockhart Group. His schedule is packed, and he certainly doesn’t have the bandwidth to deal with needless complications. Eunice, do not even consider this; it’s best you keep your distance,” Madelyn advised sternly.
“Y–You!” Eunice was nearly seething with anger at Madelyn’s blunt words.
“Enough, stop this bickering!” Derek intervened, his patience worn thin. His expression stern, he added. “Eunice, listen to your sister. Given your temperament, it’s wiser not to trouble Sebastian at work.”
“Dad…” Eunice’s eyes filled with tears of frustration and disappointment as she looked at her father.
“This discussion is over. Let’s move on and have dinner,” Derek declared, putting an end to the argument.
With no room to argue further, Eunice shot Madelyn a fierce glare. Madelyn, however, simply returned a smile filled with confident assurance.
Eunice was so enraged she felt like she could strangle her sister then and there.
After the meal, as Sebastian prepared to leave, Madelyn pulled him aside for a quick word. “Sebastian, I’m attending Mr. Sherritt’s birthday party at the Sherritt residence later tonight. I might have a few drinks; could you make sure to pick me up afterward?”
Sebastian’s brow furrowed slightly, showing his hesitation.
Madelyn, sensing his reluctance, playfully clung to his arm. “Please, Sebastian. What if I end up drinking too much? Christopher will be there too, and you wouldn’t want anything happening…”
“Fine,” Sebastian cut her off sharply at the mention of Christopher’s name, his displeasure evident.
I knew this trick would work!
Madelyn chuckled to herself, pleased her ploy had worked. “All right, you go on home first. Be careful.”
Watching him leave, Madelyn thought with satisfaction, Hmph, Janessa’s hoping for Sebastian to back her up tonight. Well, I’m not going to let that happen!
She watched as Sebastian’s car disappeared around the corner, a twinge of unexpected sadness hitting her. Why do I miss him already?
Madelyn knew well that people from the Oceanic Empire were keeping a close watch, not just on her, but around the entire Thornton residence.
As Sebastian drove away, he sensed the surveillance. His expression hardened as he made a quick call to his assistant. “Malcolm, keep an eye on the Thornton residence. We can’t afford any security lapses.”
“Understood,” Malcolm confirmed on the other end before Sebastian ended the call.
Just then, Wesley called, his usual exuberance on full display from the other end of the line. “Hey, buddy, how about we grab some drinks tonight?”
Sebastian considered for a moment before responding with a noncommittal grunt of agreement.
At the Sherritt residence, the atmosphere was buzzing.
Madelyn had taken great care in her appearance, choosing an elegant ensemble for Rupert’s birthday banquet held at the opulent Diamondel Hotel. The banquet hall buzzed with activity, filled with guests moving to and fro in a display of subdued grandeur.
Janessa, too, was dressed impeccably, staying close to her father, engaging in hushed conversations whose contents remained private.
Scarlet, Rupert’s legitimate wife, was effectively the hostess, gracefully entertaining the attendees alongside her son and daughter. She took every chance to highlight the virtues of her children, beaming with pride as she introduced them to the guests, who lavished the siblings with continual praise.
This scenario somewhat overshadowed Janessa’s presence, but she had carved out a niche for herself by spreading the news that Sebastian, the esteemed CEO of Lockhart Group, would be making a personal appearance.
The murmurs this announcement provoked underscored the significance of his expected attendance; it suggested a promising alliance that might elevate the Sherritt family’s social standing even further.
Rupert, buoyed by the prospect of Sebastian’s participation, viewed Janessa with newfound respect.
Her announcement had instilled in him a profound sense of pride and anticipation.
He began to entertain visions of aligning more closely with the influential Lockhart dynasty, a move that could alter their fortunes dramatically.
Thus, that night, Janessa basked in the sudden attention and respect, feeling her long-unnoticed efforts within the family finally gaining acknowledgment.
However, as guests continued to arrive and Madelyn was nowhere to be seen, Janessa’s anxiety began to mount.
Scarlet, ever the skeptic, voiced her doubts with a cutting tone, “Janessa, you said Mr. Lockhart would be here, yet I see no sign of him.”
Her children snickered from the sidelines, their remarks pointed and mocking. “Really, Janessa, boasting much? What will you do if he doesn’t show? You’d be utterly embarrassed!”
Flushed with embarrassment and irritation, Janessa was about to call Madelyn to confirm her whereabouts when, as if on cue, Madelyn made her grand entrance.
The sheer elegance of her arrival paused conversations, her stunning presence drawing eyes from all corners of the room.
Janessa, relieved and delighted, hurried over to greet her. Yet, as she approached, she realized Madelyn was unaccompanied. Puzzled, she asked, “Madelyn? Why are you here alone? Where’s Sebastian?”
Madelyn internally scoffed at Janessa’s transparent concern, amused by her predictability. With a graceful smile still playing on her lips, she replied nonchalantly, “Oh, Sebastian is still held up with work. He might join us later.”
“All right then…” Janessa responded, visibly deflated but resigned to accept the situation.
It was then that Rupert joined the conversation, his curiosity piqued by Madelyn’s familiar face. “Miss, haven’t we met before?”
Madelyn responded with a playful remark, “You really do have a short memory, Janessa, didn’t you tell your father about me?”
Caught in an awkward position, Janessa reluctantly made the introductions, “Dad, this is Sebastian’s fiancée, the same one from Old Mrs. Lockhart’s birthday party. Remember?”
Recognition dawned on Rupert’s face as he quickly expressed his apologies, “Oh, of course, it’s you. Please forgive my earlier oversight.”
Nevertheless, he was shocked. Isn’t this the daughter of the Thornton family who’s been making a fuss about calling off her engagement?