Chapter 864
Alondra''s announcement of taking Jenna as her goddaughter was apanied by avish banquet,
which made Ashlyn feel like she was going to vomit. Her fair face turned stormy, and her eyes shot out
cold res. Mrs. Ritter''s expression was equally dark and bruised-looking.
The mother-daughter duo looked like a pair of clowns, especially when Alondra''s mocking gaze
asionally fell on them. It felt like being wed at the heart by countless cats.
Adriel maintained a smile on his face while exining his decision to choose Jenna as his goddaughter
solely based on her personality and connection with him, disregarding family background or education
level. This statementnded as yet another painful blow to the Ritter family.
Ashlyn was furious - what made Jenna more suitable than her? Adriel''s words were infuriatingly unfair.
Mrs. Ritter clenched her fork so tightly that it almost broke under the pressure of her white-knuckled
grip. Alondra smiled wickedly and suggested that if they really wanted to find a godfather for Ashlyn,
they could try approaching the Bet family instead since Salvatore didn''t have any daughters either.
But even if Salvatore did agree to take Ashlyn as his goddaughter, it wouldn''t change their current
reputation in society - ever since Ashlyn failed to win first ce at the Graley Piano Competition and
rumors began circting about her personal life scandals, people had started avoiding them altogether.
The financial troubles haunting the Ritter Group further exacerbated the situation. To make matters
worse, Abduh had recently sparked a conflict with the Mcguire family over a matter, leading to the
loss of Abduh''s job and his child with his mistress.
It seemed like every day brought new humiliations for the Ritter family - even during recent meetings
with other families, they were constantly being pressured into submission until their faces hit rock
bottom, while others stomped all over them mercilessly.
Although Abduh was just a distant rtive, he was still part of the Mcguire family. The Ritter family''s
shameless behavior had angered everyone in the Mcguire family. Alondra felt sick to her stomach
every time she saw Mrs. Ritter now.
It wasn''t just Alondra, Katie felt the same way too. She sat on Alondra''s other side and used to be toxic
friends with Ashlyn for a while. But now, they were more like enemies.
That mistress had no shame, but she was carrying the blood of the Mcguire family nheless. Not
only did she get beaten up by the Ritter family, but Abduh also lost his job.
Katie worked in showbiz and having an uncle like this coulde in handy sometimes. Now that her
uncle stepped down from his position... well, didn''t that mean she lost another backer?
She red at Ashlyn who happened to be looking at her at that moment when a waiter brought over a
te of mango coconut cake - it looked deliciously sweet and appetizing.
Using fork from their tableware set, Katie picked up a piece and offered it to Ashlyn with a smile on her
face. "Miss Ritter, try this out! It tastes pretty good."
Ashlyn''s expression immediately darkened/ "Miss Mcguire! What are you trying to do? You know I''m
allergic to mangoes!"
Katie exaggeratedly shrugged. "Really? I don''t remember anything about that! After all we''re not close
enough yet for me to know your secrets."
Ashlyn watched as Katie acted so nonchntly about it all; it only made her angrier inside - how dare
this woman purposely try and upset me!
What an insidious person!
Sylvia and Mrs. Wright were sitting together at another table when they happened upon seeing Katie
and Ashlyn bickering across theirs.
They couldn''t help but sneer inwardly; these so-called socialites were nothing more than two chickens
pecking each other apart here.
Sylvia''s lips twitched involuntarily as she thought about how many people the Ritter family had offended
Franklin noticed Sylvia staring off into space again. "What are you looking at?"
"Just something interesting," Sylvia replied before ncing back towards Mrs. Ritter once again.
Franklin followed suit with his gaze until he saw what was happening between those two women; he
scoffed under his breath. "A group of losers."
He then turned away from thempletely before noticing how close Sylvia was sitting next him -
close enough where he could see every detail of her unblemished skin...
"Don''t mind them," Franklin said softly as if reading Sylvia''s thoughts aloud. "Let''s eat."
As he spoke, he picked up a dish and served Sylvia some food. She looked up at him with watery eyes
and said, "I''ve been investigating the Hipps Family these past few days. The person who framed them
might be hiding in the red-light district."
Franklin paused with his fork in hand. "The red-light district is a tricky ce to navigate." If their suspect
was hiding there, it meant they were under the protection of the district.
Their conversation was hushed as they sat in a noisy banquet hall. Brayden was busy pouring drinks
for guests while Jenna reluctantly followed suit. As today''s leadingdy, she had to maintain basic
etiquette.
Adriel seemed to be enjoying himself as he drank more than his fair share of alcohol, leaving behind
faint traces of age on his face. None of them noticed when a tall server walked over with a te of
sweet and sour carp.
The server''s eyes were cold as he ced the dish on their table before turning around to leave. But
just as he turned away, Franklin called out to him, "Excuse me."
The server stiffened slightly before turning back around. He had an attractive face but it was clear that
parts of it had undergone stic surgery.
"Could you bring us some juice?" Franklin asked curtly.
"Of course," replied the server before walking away again.
Sylvia watched him go and whispered softly, "Doesn''t he look familiar?"
"I thought so too," Franklin replied cautiously before scanning their surroundings for any signs of
danger or suspicion.
Although this man''s build and back resembled someone else they knew all too well - rk who had
recently escaped from prison - there were no simrities between their faces or voices whatsoever.
In one corner of the banquet hall stood the male server staring intently at Franklin and Sylvia''s table;
specifically at that te of sweet and sour carp which nobody seemed interested in eating anymore
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
despite its initial appeal moments ago...
He squinted his eyes, then reached into an icebox nearby whereupon retrieving arge bottle filled with
fruit juice made his way over towards them once again...
"Why aren''t you eating yet?" He approached and opened the juice, cing it on the table. "Please
enjoy." His voice was hoarse and low, as if his vocal cords had been sawed.
Sylvia thanked him and was about to drink the juice when Franklin stopped her. "You can''t drink this
juice."
He then turned to Carolyn, who was about to pick up her fork. "Miss Howlett, this sweet and sour carp
doesn''t seem very fresh. Let''s get another dish."
Franklin was highly alert; he felt a familiar sensation earlier that wasn''t just a coincidence.
Carolyn hesitated but didn''t say anything. The fish and juice remained untouched.
The male server nearby seethed with anger at their cowardice for not eating the food.
Wait... did they suspect him?
After finishing dinner, Sylvia took the bottle of juice with her as she left.
She met Mrs. Ritter and Ashlyn at the door; Mrs. Ritter still looked unhappy. "Oh, Miss Andrews, you''re
taking something with you even after finishing your meal?"
Her tone mocked Sylvia for being naive enough to care about a bottle of drink.
Sylvia raised an eyebrow at her, "Mrs. Ritter, don''t talk like I''m only taking one bottle of drink home
when I could take all Balfax Mansion''s drinks if I wanted."
How shameless! She couldn''t believe how brazenly she acted by trying to take things away while
leaving! Co?tent оf Draмa?ovеls.cом
Mrs. Ritter felt pain in her chest from anger before coldly walking towards her car; this party made
everything hurt inside - especially Alondra''s insults and Adriel''s humiliation!
Jasper sat, in front seat, driving, "Yes we did, but unfortunately our people weren''t able to catch him
since he is too cunning."
The sketch was so lifelike.
She handed the paper to Jasper. "Have our guys investigate based on this appearance. He may have
gotten away once, but he won''t be able to next time."
"The doctor who was killed for no reason at the stic surgery hospital..." Franklin narrowed his eyes
into slits. "That man we just saw clearly had stic surgery..."
Sylvia lifted her cold gaze to meet his. "Are you saying..."