Chapter 222 Drop The Act
“Yes, I’m so down for it.” Sabrina jumped off the hammock and said with joy, “Jenna, since you’re in charge, let’s prepare something special that will impress everyone. How about a special New Year banquet?”
Jenna chuckled. She thought for a while and said, “That’s interesting, I’ll think about it.”
“What is there to think about? Alright, that’s final.” Sabrina was full of excitement.
“Sabrina, it’s a good thing to hold an annual banquet but we should also get Grandma’s consent and look through the expenses in the past few years. We can’t just hop into it without proper planning,” Jenna smiled and reminded her.
Richards Manor had no shortage of money but this did not imply that people here would be up for it. Often, these occasions were events where people bragged about their riches and successes to one another, all just so they could feign their pride.
If the distribution was unfair or favoring one over the other, no matter which part went wrong, it would offend the status of each person in Richards Manor. They would easily associate this event with the inheritance rights in the manor, therefore they would keep an eye on the distribution of these benefits.
This was a headache but seeing Sabrina full of anticipation, Jenna also got excited.
“Jenna, you worry too much. Trust me, Grandma will definitely agree. Now, every big family in A city is planning events like this. Last year, Frederic Newton’s family spent 10 million on the New Year Day’s celebration. The event was all over the news, even I knew about it despite being in Capital City. Plus, this will be an auspicious event for everyone.” Sabrina was very confident. From her perspective, the current Richards Manor was utterly gloomy. They needed to hold such an extraordinary New Year banquet to lighten up the mood.
Jenna listened and glanced at her sideways. “Since you’re so interested in this, you have to help me throughout the event!”
“Of course.” Sabrina rubbed her face that was a little red from the cold bite of the wind and said seriously, “I shall do as you command, Young Madam.”
After speaking, she got down on one knee, making Jenna laugh.
“What’s the occasion?” Strong footsteps approached as two tall men walked in.
Jenna looked up.
Hansen and Christopher strode in one after another, looking absolutely dashing.
One of them was wearing a suit and leather shoes, while the other wore the most trendy royal blue fleece coat. They had their hair combed to the back neatly, revealing smooth foreheads. They were especially handsome.
Why was Christopher here?
Jenna was surprised. She looked up at him, failing to hide the puzzle in her eyes.
“Hello, Jenna.” Christopher approached Jenna without hesitation and stretched out his hand.
His eyes were as calm as a quiet lake. His thin lips curled upwards, looking polite and sophisticated.
“Hello, Mr. Matthews.” Jenna only paused for a split second before she shook his hand.
His hands were very warm against Jenna’s cold ones. His eyebrows were raised slightly and he gave her hand a firm shake. He looked around the room before his eyes landed on the open window, speaking in a caring and thoughtful manner.
“It’s so cold today. Why is the window open? No wonder your hands are so cold.”
Jenna panicked a little inside. She retracted her hand and smiled faintly. “We like some fresh air.”
She answered so elegantly with a slight smile plastered on her face. There was nothing inappropriate but she felt a displeased gaze shot at her.
She did not even need to guess who it was from.
She spared no looks at Hansen and smiled at Christopher. “Christopher, what brings you here all the way from Capital City?”
Christopher grinned. “I’m here to see Vivian and you.”
Jenna smiled lightly. She was used to small talk.
On the sofa, Sabrina was flipping through a magazine in her hand. She raised her head and smiled at Christopher. “Mr. Matthews, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
Christopher laughed. “Miss Delia, you should have told me that you’re coming to A city. Wouldn’t it be more lively if we came together?”
“Oh, please no, you’re a public official who handles important matters. I wouldn’t dare to get in the way,” Sabrina waved her hand and said loudly. The two looked like close friends.
They were both from Capital City and from prestigious families. Jenna could figure why they were close with each other.
She returned to the desk to deal with the ledgers.
Hansen had a dark expression on his face.
Jenna casted him no glances since the start, it was as if he did not exist.
His face was gloomy and he felt embarrassed.
“Seems like you’re quite interested in being the head of the household.” After a while, he walked over to Jenna and spoke to her.
Jenna did not respond.
“You have to be careful when you’re in charge. Handling Richards Manor is not that easy,” he coughed awkwardly and continued.
“You think I want to do this? Nobody cares about taking over Richards Manor,” Jenna closed the book and replied coldly.
A cold wind hit his face when she shut the book. It felt like a slap on his face and he seemed pathetic, adding to his awkwardness.
She really showed him no mercy. On top of that, she was rude.
He glanced at Christopher and Sabrina from the corner of his eye. They were chatting away, paying no attention over here. Only then did he feel less embarrassed.
“Jenna, are you really going to do this to me?” He lowered his voice and gritted his teeth.
“What did I do?” Jenna raised her eyes and stared at him. “Mr. Richards, what are you talking about? Are we that close? Why would you think that way?”
She spat her questions as Hansen gaped at her, unable to say anything.
Were they not close? They had been in the same bed for so many years; they had unspeakable affection towards each other. But at this moment, she denied all of it!
“Jenna, at least we can get along nicely,” he whispered.
“Is that so?” Jenna gave him a sad smile. “Stop pretending. Who am I to get along with you, Mr. Richards?”
Her smile was stiff and cold, and she looked straight outside the window.
“What do you mean?” Hansen asked, completely clueless. He felt that she was so angry with him on this day, even more distant than usual.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
She looked at the plum blossoms outside the window, blooming brightly with vibrant colors amidst the snow.
It was beautiful, she thought.
Would she blossom that way in this family? Could she forget the past and start anew with them? She felt like she couldn’t.
“What happened?” He frowned. Her face was pale and ashy. There was a trace of pain in her eyes and his heart trembled as he asked.
She tugged the corners of her lips, turned her head, and glanced at him coldly. “Did you bail Norton out? You promised this would never happen. Do you care to explain it now? What more lies do you want to feed me with?”
She glared before turning around and looked at him no more. She picked up the ledger and walked towards the sofa on the other side.
She felt her stomach churn painfully when she asked him that.
Early in the morning, she had heard from the servants that Norton was back. It was probably for Sabrina!
In fact, there were not many people in the manor that knew Norton was detained except for Vivian, Claude, and Maria. It was kept a secret to everyone else.
However, when Sabrina arrived, Norton did not show up. Let alone Sabrina, even the servants were guessing where he went. It became more suspicious especially when he was absent at the reunion dinner during the holidays.
Hansen stood in a daze and finally understood why Jenna was so cold towards him.
She really misunderstood him!
He did not want Norton to come out at this time as well. Everything was not going the way he wanted.
In her heart, Norton was his younger brother, his family. She had a thousand reasons to think so.
But, she did not understand his feelings.
She was the person he loved the most. She was his family.
Even so, she would not understand, nor would she believe it.
If it were not for her, he would never investigate the case.
But since he had started it, no one should be wronged. This was his principle but she would not understand.
There was no way for him to explain.
“Jenna, this is a misunderstanding. I didn’t bail Norton out of jail,” he followed to sit down beside her and explained.
“Drop the act, who else could it be?” She looked at the ledgers icily.
“You,” he was dejected, “Are you not willing to believe me at all?”
“Give me a reason to believe you. Who else has the power to do this besides you?” Pain and ridicule flashed across her eyes.
For a time, Hansen was speechless.
He, too, had no idea.
“Don’t you presume that I don’t know. Javon’s case could have closed but you insisted on investigating it further. Didn’t you do this to save Norton?” Her eyes grew red and she lowered her head.
“Jenna, do you really think so?” He opened his mouth wide in surprise, staring at her blankly.
Norton’s case was clearly suspicious. It was not a case which he could close simply. Jordan was unwilling to do so and the legal procedures did not allow it. This was a matter of life and death. How could this case be closed without solid evidence?
However, Jenna thought the other way. Perhaps, she did not understand at all. That was why she blamed him for all of this.
Just then, Meroy came over.
“It’s so lively here today. I see that things have really changed once Young Madam took over.” She smiled.
“Meroy.” All of them went closer to her and smiled politely at her.
“Old Madam is awake now. If you want to see her, you may go in,” Meroy said.
Hansen could say nothing more to Jenna. He went in with Christopher.
Meanwhile, Jenna and Sabrina accompanied Meroy, chatting with her.
As soon as Sabrina suggested that they hold an annual banquet, Meroy was absolutely delighted and praised the idea. She was very happy and said, “You youngsters are always so creative. I am sure of this: Old Madam will definitely like it.”