Liliana stole a glance at him and quickly looked away. “Andrew, I’m sorry for my previous ignorance. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
Andrew smiled. “Hold what against you? You’re Victoria’s daughter, so there’s no reason for me to.”
Liliana made a sound of agreement. Then, she casually said, “Maybe, and I mean maybe, we could become closer in the future. Mom has always hoped we could be friends. I think we could give a try.”
By this time, Victoria had finished praying, and Andrew turned to leave. “I’m sorry. I don’t have much time. Let’s talk about it later.”
Liliana was left standing there, feeling somewhat resentful but no daring to act out. She stamped her foot and hurried to catch
- up.
A young novice monk ran up and called out in a soft voice, “Mrs. Peck, Mr. Lloyd… Abbot Graves has arranged a vegetarian lunch and invites you to join him.”
Victoria smiled. “Andrew, come on. The vegetarian meals here are amazing.”
Andrew grinned. “Alright, then I’ll definitely have to try them.”
As they walked, they passed other visitors who had come to light incense and pray.
Suddenly, Andrew’s eyes narrowed. He had spotted Scarlett coming up the steps with several members of the Driscoll family, and alongside them was Walter.
Victoria, walking ahead, spoke calmly. “Let’s go. No one would dare cause trouble here, so relax.”
Andrew let it go and soon arrived at the cathedral’s dining hall.
Matthias greeted them with a rueful smile. “Mrs. Peck, you’re finally here. Mr. Peck has already drunk himself under the table.”
The hall was small, with only a few tables. Most were empty, and the central table was covered with a full spread of vegetarian dishes.
Calvin was already several drinks in, his face bright red. When he saw Victoria, he burst out laughing. “Victoria, come sit with me!”
Victoria’s expression did not change as she took
throw it out.”
a
seat by herself. She then turned to Miles. “Take your father’s alcohol and
Miles gave a dry laugh. “Mom, it’s Kindling Night. Just let Dad have a drink.”
Victoria’s eyes turned cold. “I don’t want to say it twice.”
Miles did not dare disobey and went to take the bottle from Calvin
Calvin laughed bitterly, “What now? You’re going to control me even when I drink? Victoria, you bitch, don’t push your luck!”
Victoria remained calm. “Andrew, Liliana, sit down. Once we’re done, we’re going home.”
Calvin slammed his hand on the table and roared. “What the hell, Victoria? What’s that supposed to mean? Am I invisible to you? Dead? I’m asking you, why the hell did you bring this outsider to a family gathering?”
He jabbed a finger toward Andrew.
Andrew shrugged. “Victoria, maybe I should step outside and wait for you.”
Victoria’s face grew even colder. “No. You sit right here.”
Then, she turned to Calvin, her voice sharp. “First, Andrew is not an outsider, not to me. Second, who the hell do you think you
+15 BONUS
are to question me? Finally, I want to tell you that Andrew came here today because there’s real business to handle.”
Calvin sneered and slammed the table hard. “Real business? What business? Victoria, do you know this little bastard opposed me in Goldridge?”
The coldness in Victoria’s eyes suddenly intensified. Even Andrew felt a stinging sensation on his skin and could not help but feel startled, turning to look at her.
She growled, “Calvin, if you dare run your mouth one more time, make your blood splatter right here. You’re nothing but trash. What right do you have to shout at me?”
This was Victoria in a rare moment of fury, and her murderous gaze locked onto Calvin.
Calvin trembled, cold sweat immediately beading on his forehead
“Victoria, I–I’ve had too much to drink. D–Don’t take it to heart. I shut up,
I’ll shut up, okay?”
He immediately began begging for mercy. The man who had been yelling so arrogantly moments ago now crumbled, groveling in submission.
