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Chapter_124
Lucas, standing in the doorway, had only heard Nellie’s unsettling laughter and nothing else. His brows furrowed, but he quickly composed himself. “Mrs. Chambers, Mr. Chambers asked me to go over the details of tomorrow’s party with you and check the seating plan to see if any changes are needed.”
Nellie stared at him for a moment, her sharp gaze assessing him, before her features softened. She looked away, giving a small wave of her hand. “Come in,” she instructed, her voice calm, but there was something in her eyes that didn’t quite match her words.
Inside the room, Winona paced back and forth, her phone clutched tightly in her hands as she anxiously watched the screen. She’d been waiting for a message since six in the evening, but by now it was nearly eleven, and there was still no word. Her frustration grew as she tossed the phone onto the table and moved to remove her makeup, mentally preparing for tomorrow’s party. I need to be at my best, she thought, to make sure everything goes according to plan.
Winona had been texting Jeremiah since the early hours of the morning, trying to persuade him to come to the party, but despite all her efforts, by midnight, there was still no reply. She had even tried to get his number, which was a feat in itself. But little did she know, if she were to send another text, she’d realize that Jeremiah had already blocked her. Yet, Winona was still hopeful. At least I have his number, which means I still have a chance, she told herself. She refused to believe that Jeremiah would stay faithful to Yvette forever. They’ll tire of each other eventually. Just wait…
With that thought, Winona slipped into a sweet dream, one filled with excitement and hope for the next day. Her face softened into a Cheshire cat grin as she drifted off to sleep.
The next day, the Chambers family went all out. Thousands of red and yellow roses were flown in from overseas—freshly picked just the day before. The garden was transformed into a breathtaking space, ready to host an event that could rival any high-society gathering. The backyard stretched over 10,000 square feet, and Zachary had specifically instructed Lucas to place identical signs at the garden’s entrance, announcing both the apprenticeship ceremony and the welcome-home party. It was clear that Zachary wanted to make it known that both events were of equal importance.
The staff was busy, with housekeepers wearing matching uniforms circulating the event, offering wine and pastries that had been flown in fresh from Mysonna that morning. To top it off, Nellie had hired Seacrity’s most famous pastry chef to prepare forty-nine different kinds of desserts for the party. With the total cost of the event running upwards of 3.3 million dollars, it was shaping up to be one of the most lavish gatherings in Seacrity.
Earlier that morning, after breakfast, Nellie had instructed the driver to pick up Richard from the Exoir Hotel and bring him to the Chambers residence. After that, she made her way to the kitchen for a light breakfast. She had grown accustomed to the quiet routine of the house, especially on the mornings leading up to big events.
However, Zachary’s actions had become a source of tension. For the past few nights, Zachary had slept in the guest room, and this morning was no different. It wasn’t uncommon for Zachary to retreat to the guest room after arguments, and Nellie had grown used to it. She always apologized first, even when he had been the one to publicly embarrass her. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.
But this morning, something felt different. Despite the previous night’s cold distance, Zachary opened the door in his suit, looking sharp and composed as always. His voice was less cold than usual when he asked, “Have you had breakfast yet? If not, why don’t you join me downstairs?”
Nellie was taken aback, surprised by the unexpected kindness. Her face lit up with joy, and she eagerly responded, “All right! Yes!”
The two of them went downstairs, and as they sat at the dining table, Nellie requested the housekeeper bring her another breakfast. The kitchen staff was puzzled, as Nellie had just eaten less than an hour ago. Typically, she ate less before attending a party, but now she was asking for more food. Though curious, the staff complied, preparing another serving.
Zachary, meanwhile, skimmed through the newspaper as he sipped his coffee. It was mostly gossip, as usual. Nothing significant, just some small talk and sensationalized stories. His eyes briefly flicked over to Nellie before he asked, “Which newspaper did you give the exclusive rights to cover today’s party?”
Nellie hesitated for a split second, an uneasy feeling creeping in as she met Zachary’s gaze. However, she quickly regained her composure and answered confidently, “I was going to give it to Seacrity Financial, but their editor is dealing with some legal troubles, so I opted for Seacrity Daily instead. They assured me they’d give it a heavy promotion. I only gave them three invitations, though—I was worried too many reporters might upset some of our guests.”
Zachary wasn’t overly concerned by the details. Nellie had always handled social situations with ease, and he trusted her judgment. “Hmm, not bad. Three reporters will be enough. You’ve considered this carefully.”
Nellie beamed at the compliment, her smile widening as she basked in his approval.
Just then, Lucas entered the room, looking a little more tired than usual. He had been busy since five in the morning, ensuring the garden was ready for the party. His presence was a subtle reminder that the day’s work was far from over.
“Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, the garden setup is complete,” Lucas reported, his tone respectful but tinged with exhaustion.
Zachary, noticing Lucas’s fatigue, offered a rare bit of kindness. “Why don’t you take a break, Lucas? There’s an evening party to attend. Let the housekeepers handle the minor tasks. You’ve been running around nonstop. At your age, you should learn to delegate.”
Nellie added her own words of concern, her voice filled with false sweetness. “Yes, Lucas. Take a short break. Don’t push yourself too hard,” she advised, though Lucas knew it was her who had insisted he supervise the garden work late into the night.
Lucas didn’t reply immediately, but as he looked at the couple, he couldn’t help but feel a rush of mixed emotions. He was touched by Zachary’s concern, but he knew the truth—Nellie was the one who had caused him to stay up so late, yet now she acted as though she were genuinely worried about him.
Still, Lucas held his tongue. Over the years, he had become accustomed to playing the part of the dutiful servant, especially when it came to Zachary, whom he admired deeply. For now, he simply nodded, acknowledging their concern.
