Chapter 10

Back on the upper floor...

"Looks like the commotion downstairs has settled," Mr. Winston said, glancing toward the stairs.

"Yes, I noticed too." Emilia took a sip of her wine, then smiled. "That was quite impressive of you, Mr. Winston. I didn't expect you to step in like that."

"I told you already, Ms. White, our families are practically one. There's no need to separate sides anymore."

"You're absolutely right. Once your daughter officially becomes a Thornfell, it'll be a blessing for both families," she said, smiling. "Hopefully, she'll give us beautiful grandkids too-just like her."

"Of course. Beauty runs in our bloodline," Mr. Winston chuckled.

They both laughed quietly, enjoying the moment.

Donald, however, glanced around impatiently. "What's taking that guard so long? I need the grey card back."

As if on cue, the doors opened and the guard walked in, slightly out of breath.

"Ms. Emilia, Mr. Donald... that guy-the stranger-he's..."

Donald raised a hand and cut him off. "I know, I know. He's probably pissing his pants now after realizing whose card he held. That's the Winston name, after all."

"No, it's not that," the guard interrupted firmly. "Mr. Winston-Miss Winston was... intimate with him. In front of everyone."

Donald's grin faded for a second, but he waved it off again. "Oh, that? That's fine. Derek and Hannah are practically a couple. Gen Z love doing things their own way. It's all part of their bonding. Actually, I told her to get closer to him. She's always been shy, so I'm glad she's stepping up."

"Exactly," Emilia chimed in, clearly entertained. "I can't wait to see what their children look like. My sister and brother-in-law would be thrilled."

The guard looked at both of them, confused. "No-I don't think it was Derek."

That made Donald pause.

"What do you mean?" His voice was flatter now, less amused.

"Mr. Winston," the guard said, turning to him with urgency, "please come with me. You need to see this."

Donald stood up slowly, Emilia watching with curiosity as he followed the guard out of the room. They walked down the hallway to the glass railing. The guard pointed below.

There, on the main floor, stood Hannah.

But she wasn't with Derek. The rightful source is find·novel·net

She was with the same man from earlier-the so-called 'nuisance'-and they were standing close. Too close. Laughing. Talking. Comfortable.

Donald's eyes narrowed. His face twisted.

"What the hell is this?" he barked.

Emilia came rushing out. "What's going on? Did Derek do something again?" she asked.

Derek had a track record—and not a good one. The Thornfells had managed to bury his behavior over the years. One of the most serious incidents had been at a nightclub, where Derek had tried to force himself on a girl who turned him down. The matter nearly reached the public, but their lawyers and connections made it disappear. There had been others, swept under the rug just as quickly.

As Emilia reached the railing and looked down, her smile dropped.

"What nonsense is this?" she snapped. "Mr. Winston, why is your daughter standing with another man-that man-like that?"

Mr. Winston looked genuinely confused. "I... I don't know."

"We were just talking about how your card scared off some commoner," Donald muttered, still staring. "Now he's here, chatting up your daughter like he owns the place?"

"I swear, I don't even know who he is," Mr. Winston replied, raising his hands slightly.

"This is not acceptable!" Emilia shouted. "That girl is supposed to marry my nephew. I won't let her embarrass the Thornfell name in front of all these people."

Her voice was sharp and loud now. People nearby began to glance in their direction.

"You better find out what's going on, Mr. Winston," she warned coldly. "Or you'll explain it directly to my brother-in-law."

"Miss White, I wouldn't jump to conclusions if I were you," Donald said sharply, his patience already thinning. "I know my daughter. She's not the type to act carelessly."

Emilia scoffed. "Some things don't need explanation. As long as that man has no ties to your family, she has no business standing that close to him. You saw it yourself-there's no mistaking what it looked like."

Donald clenched his jaw. He didn't want to agree, but he couldn't deny the scene unfolding below. "Allow me to speak to my daughter," he said, trying to keep his tone steady. "I'm sure there's an explanation. There has to be."

"Good," Emilia said stiffly. "Because if there isn't, this entire arrangement is done."

Without another word, the two of them descended the stairs, their steps quick and heavy. Every eye in the hall seemed to shift toward them. The mood changed instantly.

Donald's anger boiled over by the time they reached the floor. His voice rang out before he even got close.

"Hannah!" he roared. "What the hell do you think you're doing with that man? In front of everyone? Have you lost your damn mind?!"

The crowd froze. Conversations stopped. All eyes turned to Hannah and Jaden.

Hannah quickly stepped away from Jaden and walked up to her father, urgency in her voice. "Dad, it's him. The man who saved us that night. Don't you remember?"

She grabbed his arm, shaking him slightly.

Donald's eyes narrowed. After a pause, realization hit him.

"Oh... So you're the one. The man I've been trying to find for nearly two years."

He moved forward, face lighting up as he extended his hand. "I searched everywhere. No one could trace you. Not a single clue."

He grasped Jaden's hand firmly. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive right now. Thank you, truly."

"It's fine, sir," Jaden replied calmly.

Donald took a closer look at his face, eyes squinting slightly. "You... you look familiar."

"I thought so too, Dad," Hannah said quickly. “But he's not Jaden. He said his name is Lee."

Jaden smiled faintly. The moment was almost nostalgic. When they were younger, Hannah used to bring him and his sister over after school. Donald had always welcomed them like his own. Made sure they ate before leaving. For a wealthy man in Ravenmoor, kindness like that was rare.

Before anyone could say more, Derek rushed in and grabbed Emilia's arm.

"Aunty! Thank God you're here," he said breathlessly. "That man-he's insane! He

came in here carrying something wrapped in a white cloth, beat up the guards, and nearly killed Elder Dusk!"