Chapter 184
Ethan didn't stay long; his family was hosting the event, and he barely had a moment to spare. As noon approached and the hall filled, Zinnia and Maisie again followed Yvette, greeting guests. Lunchtime arrived. The seating arrangement was deliberate; each seat assigned according to status.
Zinnia sat in the second row. The first row was reserved for influential figures; the second for those with strong family ties to the hosts; the third for individuals of high social standing. Henry and Raymond occupied the first row, where even brief conversation could significantly impact Jinston's future. Jackson, having assumed leadership of the Lynn family at a young age, sat in the first row alongside Devin Perkins, Vaughn Bacon, and Finnian Knox. One seat remained unoccupied. Yvette sat in the second row with Selene, while Charlie joined Perry and Hugo. Isaac, Ethan, and other young members of prominent families also occupied the second row. Zinnia, Maisie, and their friends sat together, their cheerful conversation animating their group.
As lunch began, Zinnia searched for Yannis but found him absent. Her gaze fell upon the Shaws several rows behind, a sight that momentarily arrested her attention. Howard and Timothy sat with Maelis; Donald and Yannis were absent. Giselle and her daughter also sat at their table. Five people in total. The back rows offered open seating, reflecting their lesser importance. Previously, with the Lynns' support, the Shaws could have easily secured seats in the first three rows. However, the Lynns' withdrawal left the Shaws reliant on their own standing, resulting in their placement in the back.
Zinnia's eyes unexpectedly met Maelis's. Startled, Maelis quickly averted her gaze, a flash of panic in her eyes before she lowered her head, concealing her embarrassment. Maelis was incredulous; her family relegated to the back while the girl they once scorned sat prominently at the front. This thought evoked anger and shame. She reflected, "Who would have thought that small-town girl we looked down on would be thriving without our family?" Maelis clenched her fists, barely containing her emotions. Shame, anger, resentment, and regret overwhelmed her, betraying her carefully applied makeup.
Their eyes met again—Maelis's filled with resentment, as if wishing to engulf Zinnia. Unlike Maelis's burning animosity, Zinnia gave her no thought. "Life's been good since the Shaw family stopped bothering me," Zinnia thought contentedly. Zinnia observed the Shaws; their previous self-assuredness was gone. Zinnia calmly looked away. "Their family is no longer my concern. Their success or failure is none of my business," she mused. Giselle, seated beside Maelis, noted every shift in her expression. Following Maelis's gaze towards Zinnia, she looked at her daughter, whose eyes were fixed on Timothy, and coolly announced, "Mrs. Shaw, Athena and I need to excuse ourselves." She then promptly rose and led her daughter away.
Pulled by her mother, Athena reluctantly followed. Before leaving, she gazed longingly at Timothy and said, "Timothy, see you tomorrow at the firm." Timothy responded indifferently. Giselle, noticing his coolness, felt a pang of annoyance. "My daughter's affections are unrequited," she thought, silently departing with Athena.
Giselle reflected, "The Shaw family isn't worth associating with. Their lack of judgment would only cause trouble, especially with that oblivious Maelis." She continued, "The Shaws may appear respectable, but with Maelis as a mother-in-law, marrying into that family would be disastrous. She treats her own daughter like an enemy; how could I expect her to be kind to Athena? Athena is my only daughter. I won't let her fall into that trap."
"Giselle, won't you stay longer? Athena is such a bright girl. She truly delights me," Maelis said hastily, attempting to prevent their departure and momentarily deflecting attention from Zinnia. In these high-society circles, loyalty was fickle. The Lynns' withdrawal had triggered a domino effect, damaging the Shaws' reputation. Even business dealings had become difficult; Donald and Yosef were exhausted and at their wit's end.
Maelis thought, "We had to work so hard just to secure an invitation from the Bacon family today. When we had the Lynns' backing, it was effortless. Now, we have to schmooze just to gain entry." She continued, "All this turmoil is because of Zinnia. I shouldn't have brought her back."
Giselle politely declined, "No, Mrs. Shaw. My friend just arrived with her son. He and Athena grew up together, and they need to catch up." Giselle then guided her daughter towards the fifth row. "Giselle—" Maelis called, trying to detain her. Although the Martinez family weren't from Jinston, they held significant influence in Gioriham. The Lynns' abandonment had led to their being overlooked.
Donald had berated Maelis at home for her perceived incompetence; she felt unjustly treated. Before the event, Donald had learned of Giselle's daughter's employment at Timothy's firm and emphasized the importance of connecting with the Martinez family. 'Who would have thought Giselle would leave so abruptly after our pleasant conversation?' Maelis thought, panicked by the feeling of judgment directed at her.
Maelis pondered, "Why has Donald, once so kind and attentive, started coming home so late? He's no longer affectionate. Now he only snaps at me, calling me useless, an idiot. Sometimes he doesn't even come home for days." She recalled, "When he does return, I detect a strange perfume on him. When I question him, he dismisses it as being from a business dinner. Sometimes, I wonder if he's become a stranger overnight."
Maelis's words trailed off as Giselle and her daughter settled into their fifth-row seats. "Timothy," Maelis said helplessly, her eyes revealing a hint of guilt. Timothy remained impassive, showing no reaction to Giselle and her daughter's departure.
With the Shaw family in crisis, Donald sought to remedy the situation through a strategic marriage alliance. Yosef was unsuitable for an immediate match, requiring careful planning. Howard was too young, leaving Timothy as the optimal candidate for this alliance.