Chapter 1226

The traditional toasting procession was skipped, but later in the evening, Henry and Selma Quigley made their way through the guests, offering their thanks.

Soon after, Mrs. Holt brought her new daughter-in-law, Selma, over to greet the circle of society wives.

The ladies eagerly gathered around, showering Selma with compliments.

"The bride is absolutely stunning today."

"Yes! That gown must be a custom Yarnton, isn't it? It suits you perfectly."

"Mrs. Holt, you are so fortunate to have such a beautiful daughter-in-law in Miss Quigley."

Mrs. Holt, dressed in a festive, heavily embroidered crimson gown, looked radiant and exceptionally happy. "From now on, I hope you'll all look after our Selma."

"Of course, we will."

Selma graciously accepted the praise, her face glowing with newlywed bliss. "Thank you, everyone, for your kind words."

One of the wives immediately offered her a glass of red wine. "Selma, we didn't see you making the rounds for toasts earlier. How about having a drink with us now?"

Selma, with a hint of shyness yet unable to hide her joy, replied, "I'm sorry, I can't drink right now."

Mrs. Holt protectively added, "Selma has a special situation, so please understand." Her words were met with an even more enthusiastic round of congratulations.

"Oh my! This is a double celebration! Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Well, we'll have to prepare our gifts early and get ready for the baby shower!"

"Yes, what wonderful news!"

The ladies voices were loud, and Vanessa, sitting at the adjacent table, had heard everything. Seeing the expressions on Mrs. Holt's and Selma faces, she gloomily downed a mouthful of wine.

Henry certainly worked fast. He'd already gotten Selma pregnant?

She subconsciously touched her own stomach. She had been trying to conceive recently, but to her frustration, nothing had happened.

Though she suspected Walden was the reason, she couldn't say anything now.

As Selma's gaze swept over the crowd, it landed on Vanessa at the next table. She excused herself from the group. "Pardon me for a moment."

Then, she walked over to Vanessa's table. "Miss Shannon, I'm so glad you could come today. Thank you for being here to witness my and Henry's wedding."

Selma's posture was elegant,

seemingly devoid of any hostility et

But Vanessa didn't believe it forà

showing off her victory content

d. Was Selma deliberately

"Congratulations," Vanessa said, her voice stiff as she raised her glass.

Selma nodded at her and turned to walk toward another table where the Quigley family's relatives were seated.

Vanessa tightened her grip on her wine glass. She had braced herself for Selma's taunts, but unexpectedly, Selma didn't press the attack.

Had she misjudged the situation?

Regardless, Vanessa knew that Selma's greeting was a declaration of victory.

She glanced at Walden Wells, who was flushed from drinking, looking even older and more unpleasant. She discreetly looked away, only to see the three men at the main table-lan, Xavier, and

ов

Henrys laughing and talking Their power to seemed to have solidified

once more, meaning a slight cough from any of them could send shockwaves through the business world.

Under the lights, the three men were relaxed, their faces showing the easy smiles of

close friends who shared a deep bond of trust and understanding.

They seemed to exist in their own world, not just as three top entrepreneurs, but as

a tight-knit alliance and a formidable force in business.