All Novel Sweet
Chapter 108
Chapter 108
“Gemma, I need to hit the restroom. Could you hold my bag for a second?”
Vivien barked orders at Gemma as if she were commanding a servant.
Decked out in flashy jewelry with no real sense of style, Gemma was unbearable in her tastelessness.
As she held Vivien’s designer purse and followed in her wake, Gemma’s gaze landed on Vivien’s belly with a touch of envy.
The youth had its perks. Getting pregnant seemed so effortless.
Vivien entered the restroom, catching Gemma’s envious stare, and sneered, “Keep looking. You won’t hatch any eggs, old hen. If I’m carrying a boy, he’ll be the heir of the Chadwick and the Sawyer families!”
Gemma’s face paled. “I’m not after the family money.”
“You better not be.” Vivien reapplied her lipstick leisurely. “Seen the Clark family around? Last night, Howard had his goons rough up Jimmy something fierce! The Clark family got their lawyer on speed dial, ready to send Howard to prison once the birthday bash ends.”
“Your daughter, Gwendolyn, is about to marry into a life of shame with a convict for a husband. You wouldn’t snitch, would you, Gemma?”
Vivien smirked as she tucked her lipstick back into her purse.
At the mention of Gwendolyn, Gemma quickly distanced herself. “Her fate is none of my business. Better off without that jinx.”
After hearing that, Vivien’s red lips stretched into a brighter smile.
Gemma added to reassure her, “Vivien, you mean more to me than Gwendolyn.”
Vivien eyed her. “If that’s the case, once Howard gets his desserts, you’ll find a way to
send that country bumpkin packing back to the sticks.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
send that country bumpkin
“Consider it done.” Gemma agreed without hesitation.
Vivien smiled with satisfaction. “Let’s go then. The party’s about to start, and I’m dying to meet the big shot behind Summit Corp.”
In the foyer at the entrance to the banquet hall, the hotel manager double–checked the invitations and then looked up at the pair before him.
They were dressed to the nines, though somewhat oddly.
Deciding to let them in, the manager said politely. “Mr. Peterson, Mrs. Peterson, please
11:21
come in
Alberta was the picture of elegance, her plump figure dressed in luxury. Sporting a bruised face and a aling, Valor had the look of a battered knight.
Once inside, Alberta glanced at Valor with annoyance. “You dragged me here to be tortured? Watching the Chadwick family bask in glory is worse than a knife to the heart! Son, we’re already on their bad sidel”
“Mom, trust me on this. Howard wouldn’t miss this event for the world!” Valor still believed Howard had a card up his sleeve, brimming with confidence.
Alberta rolled her eyes, sneering, “What good’s him showing up? Just to get dissed and kicked to the curb?”
“You don’t see the big picture. When Howard returned to Bayridge City, he sent his men to beat up Jimmy.”
Valor was practically suffocating under the weight of the non–disclosure agreement he’d signed.
He knew what it meant to be the only sober one in a room full of drunks.
I
“What do I know! All I’m aware of is the Clark family is suing Howard for assault. If he shows his face at this party, Mrs. Clark will call the cops on him.”
Alberta jabbed her finger into his forehead in exasperation. “Son, snap out of it!”
Valor scoffed, “It’s like trying to explain physics to a dog.”
Alberta pinched his ear hard. “You bastard! Stop talking nonsense!”
As they bantered, the banquet hall erupted into noise.
“Summit Corp’s limo has arrived!” A red–faced bellhop burst into the hall, telling the
Chadwicks.
“People from Summit Corp are coming up!” another bellhop
called out.
While leaning on his cane, Warren commanded, “Let’s give them a grand welcome!”
“Bainbridge, hurry!”
Warren and Bainbridge led the way, with the rest of the attendees trailing behind, making their way to the grand doors of the banquet hall with a pompous show of excitement.