He tumed to Mandy his demeanor instantly softening as he accepted the gift from her hands. His smile was warm and ingratiating
“Mandy, when did you return to
Í you return to the country? How long are you staying this time?*
“Teške, Mi. Gould – Mandy replied with a dazzling sesile. “I just got back today and plan to settle here in Fine
“be that so? That’s wonderful “Victor laughed, but his laughter quickly subsided as be changed the topic. “Why are we all standing outside? Let’s go in and chat.
He named to Toni. “Tom when did you arrive?‘s been so dong since we’ve seen you You’ve gollim even stronger! –
Tam smirked fainth, his toe laced with teasing “I’ve here much longer than Mandy. Maybe you only had eyes for her and didn’t noticeme”
“Vinucberky boy,” Victor forced a smile, clearly uncomfortable but unwilling to press.
Adhem all, the White Landly’s influence spanned military, political, and business sectors, far surpassing the Goold family
brimtarin paar aliütted back to me, his tone sharp again. “Grace, stopetussing yourself and go make us some coffee
was the maxant tal
wasn’t now—he often criticized and nitpicked at me.
I knew part of his disdain stemmed from his unresolved feelings for Mandy’s mother, his unattainable first love. To compensate for his regrets, he had always tried to push Gavin and Mandy fogether, going out of his way to medde.
Tur Garancs sake, Thadendandi
ease ask one of the much to do it.“.
cryperpoancy and emotional tunsall had lef
adull ache in my kower abdomen, and an uncomfortable tension in my back
| you to make coffee. Why are you passing it off to the mal?–
calate, Tomichockled “Mould, they probably don’t know how to be cottee properly Gavin’s bowing skills are second to none.
With a single sendener, Tom deftly deflected the responsibility ento Canin
akalpless bok. “Too finally show up, and now your ordering me and i
Heated bar i landy, his smile playtul. “Torget it I don’t perdroller.”
you want colby, make it yourself”
stalled sligidly with embarassment, and he food an awkward laugh, choosing not to respond
ed faintly. “Let’s go inside and talk –
The parkan living room was filled
Tom and come seemed to have plenty to chupon, likely due to hong kong I haber sice they last me. The convention flowed easily, though it soon turned to To
“You’re really not staying in the military?” Garen taited an eyeboom. “Theard that, at your current promotion tale, you could become the youngest general in history within ten
Tom sipped bin coffee, letting out a markle. * Don’t believe rorything you hear?
Gavin shook his head with a smile, not takingly.
The White family had a long–standing military lineage, giving. Tom a natural advantage in that field Coupled with his extraordinary talent, it was no surprise he excelled no matter
tr he wa
So what’s your plan now?” Gain swirled his . Talong over White Corporation?”
וקת
Tom was the sale betret the While family, a direct descendant in a lineagespanting nine generations.
White Corporation was contently managed by his father, who was still in his prime, so it didn’t seem like there was any immediate need for a handover
“I’m starving out at the family business.” Tom replied Lazily, leaning back with his hands behind his head. “I’m planning to go sala.”
“Military tech research
As their conversation continued, 11
I mmselt tuning out, last in my thoughts.
Just as I was distracted. Mandy nudged me unexpectedly
“Grace, pour Mr. White some coffee!”
The push caught me off guard, casing me to wobble and nearly humble off the couch
Normally, I might have brushed it off, but now that I was pregnant, my tolerance was lowre
“What are you doing?” 1 glared at her, my voice sharper than usual.
Mandy looked at me feigning shock. “What’s wrong with you? I was just reminding you to pour coffee for Mr. White Why are you being so hostile?”
“If you wanted to remind me, you could have spoken up. Why did you push me?”
“It wasn’t intentional! Why are you being so aggressive? Mandy frowned, wearing an expression of exaggerated disbeliet. “Gavin and 1 grew up as friends. Acting like this is just embarrassing for him–why will people say about his reputation?”
My gaze tumed cold “1dn’t know ‘friends‘ could cause scandals.”
“Scandals?” Amelia’s expression shitted as she looked over
“What scandal? Who’s involved in a scandal?”
I was about to speak when Mandy interjected, her face full of indignation
“Grace, don’t drag nie into your marital problems, alright? Stirring up drama might work on men, but it doesn’t work on me.”
Her audacity made me laugh in disbelief. What a perfect play of feigned innocence–turning the blame back on me like some petty game. What a piece of work
