Chapter_72
Chapter 72
“Liar, liar, pants on fire!” Adrien teased with a smirk.
“Alright then,” Sun replied with a pout, “We’ll go downstairs. But remember to tell us when Mommy wakes up!”
“Mmhm. Go and play!” Adrien shooed the children out of the room.
Alana crouched in front of Timothy, her voice smooth and persuasive. “The boys are downstairs now, Timothy. Weren’t you complaining earlier about being bored? Why not take them to the garden?”
“Yes, Timothy,” Alondra added with a smile, “You’re the only child here, and all the adults are busy drinking wine and dancing. If you want to have some fun, you should bring them to the garden.”
“Alright then,” Timothy said, already bored with the banquet. He quickly gathered the three boys and led them toward the garden.
Alondra exchanged a knowing glance with Alana. “Now’s our chance!”
“Be careful, Auntie,” Alana murmured, a feeling of unease settling in her chest.
Alondra lifted her gown slightly and followed the four children out the door and into the garden.
“Mr. Ryker,” Alana said smoothly as she walked up to Abel’s side. “Shall we dance?”
Although Abel was downstairs, his thoughts were still upstairs, worried about Emmeline. He couldn’t shake the image of Adrien’s concern for her.
He wanted to take care of Emmeline too, but he lacked the excuse that Adrien had.
Alana’s invitation to dance came at a bad time, and Abel felt his annoyance rising. He was about to decline when Rosaline approached.
“Abel, you’re bound to marry Alana one day. What would others think if you don’t dance at least once with her?”
“Yes, Mr. Ryker,” Alana added, lowering her gaze in a subtle show of vulnerability. “I’d feel terribly humiliated.”
Abel sighed heavily, clearly not pleased, but stood up nonetheless. Taking her hand, he reluctantly led her onto the dance floor, his face sullen.
Alana could feel the tension radiating from Abel, but she couldn’t help feeling a sense of triumph. He was physically close to her, and this moment—this dance—was witnessed by so many influential families in Struyria.
Suddenly, a shout came from the back door. “Oh no! One of the boys fell into the pond! Can someone save him?”
The voice was drowned out by the music, but it caught Abel’s attention.
Alana tightened her grip on his arm, pulling him into a far corner of the dance floor.
The people near the back door paused their dancing and rushed outside.
Abel furrowed his brow, noticing the commotion. “What’s going on over there?”
“It’s none of our concern. Let’s continue dancing,” Alana said quickly, trying to distract him.
“No, something’s happening,” Abel replied, his instincts kicking in.
Alana frowned, confused. “What could possibly happen on this joyous occasion?”
Just then, the music stopped.
Someone at the back door shouted again, “One of the boys fell into the pond!”
One of the boys? Is it one of the three or Timothy?
Abel immediately shoved Alana aside, a flash of concern in his eyes, and hurried toward the back door.
Emmeline, hearing the commotion, quickly followed Adrien downstairs.
“What happened, Mother?” Adrien asked Julianna, his face a mask of concern.
“You need to go to the back garden quickly!” Julianna said, her voice tight with worry. “Someone said one of the boys fell into the pond. It’s either Timothy or one of my three grandchildren!”
Adrien was taken aback. “What? How did that happen?”
Emmeline didn’t wait for an answer. She vaulted over the banister and ran toward the garden, panic written all over her face.
Outside, the nanny was kneeling beside the pond, crying out, “Help, someone! Please save Hesperus!”
“Don’t die, Star!” Sun screamed, his small face twisted with fear.
“Mommy will come and save you! Hang in there!” Moon shouted, tears streaming down his face.
Timothy, visibly distressed, was wiping his own tears. “I’m sorry, Star. I didn’t mean to shove you. I thought someone pushed me from behind, and I accidentally pushed you too. I didn’t mean to, Star! Boo hoo…”
In the bushes, Alondra was barely containing her laughter. “Heh! You happened to be standing in the perfect position. No one will suspect that I shoved you! They’ll only think you’re the one who shoved Hesperus into the pond! Hahaha!”
