The light filtered through the towering sycamore trees, casting a solemn and majestic glow at the entrance of the Magistrate’s Manor.
The crowd arriving for the ceremony was bustling, and the guests in formal attire eagerly entered the manor to attend the highly anticipated inauguration ceremony.
However, amidst the festive atmosphere, a discordant commotion quietly emerged.
Brother Bennet led a few city playboys through the crowd.
His face bore several bruises, remnants from last time at the bar with Carlos.
Tonight, he wore a tailored black suit, and his tie was impeccably knotted, yet his sullen expression was particularly glaring.
"Carlos, you actually brought your low-rung wife to such an important occasion, aren’t you afraid she’ll embarrass you?"
Brother Bennet paused and looked at Carlos with a provocative gaze, his voice heavily laced with mockery.
He remembered last time at the police station when Carlos tricked him, almost landing him in jail.
If it weren’t for someone covering his back and pushing his cousin, Doctor Bennet, to take the fall, he would’ve been disgraced.
The lesson from that ordeal left him humiliated within the family, stripped of his pocket money, and forced to work in the family business; he was determined to settle this score.
The playboys accompanying him were also filled with resentment; their luxurious attire couldn’t conceal the jealousy and anger in their eyes.
Carlos had cut off one of their financial avenues, which to them was more infuriating than having their parents killed.
At this moment, seeing Carlos, their eyes were filled with murderous intent, wishing they could tear him to pieces.
Carlos stood in front of Emily Parker, his posture upright, the night casting a handsome shadow on him as he loosened his tie. Upon hearing Brother Bennet mock Emily Parker, his gaze instantly turned icy.
A slight smirk appeared on his lips, a cold smile,
"So, are you planning to make a move at the entrance of the Magistrate’s Manor?"
Carlos’ words, like a cold wind, instantly weakened the playboys’ aura.
They remembered well Carlos’ ferocity in previous fights, his fists seemed to carry immense power, which left them still trembling.
They felt a chill at the back of their heads, involuntarily stepping back half a step.
"What are you afraid of, does he dare to start a fight here?"
Brother Bennet sneered.
Just then, a soft hand suddenly appeared on Carlos’ back, Emily Parker gently stroked his back, and she softly said,
"They’re just a bunch of mad dogs, ignore them. We’re here for the ceremony, not to argue with beasts."
"Who are you calling a beast..."
Brother Bennet’s words were cut short.
He was about to lose his temper when his gaze was drawn to the woman behind Carlos.
She appeared like a fairy walking out of a painting; her features were impeccably exquisite, her eyebrows carried a hint of cool elegance, making one’s heart race and skipping a beat.
Brother Bennet froze on the spot, his eyes unblinking as he stared at Emily Parker.
He had only heard recently that Carlos got married.
At the police station, he hadn’t paid attention to Emily Parker, only remembering her as a plainly dressed woman, secretly thinking she was "unfit for the stage," which was why he had mocked her earlier.
Yet, the woman before him exuded a noble and poised aura, with every gesture emanating an undeniable charm.
Brother Bennet’s mind went blank; he stood there, completely forgetting his earlier intent to get angry.
Until Carlos and Emily Parker’s figures gradually faded away, he snapped back to reality, his expression turning very complex.
The few playboys behind him also stood stunned, eyes wide open as if witnessing something unbelievable.
"Brother Bennet, was that woman just now Carlos’ wife?
Didn’t you say she was unfit for the stage?
One of the playboys finally came to his senses, his tone tinged with envy.
Brother Bennet’s face turned ashen, he glared fiercely at the playboy, unable to find a retort.
He subconsciously touched the bruises on his face, and the lingering resentment flared anew in his heart.
"Carlos caused us such losses last time, we must take revenge. Tonight is the perfect chance, I’ve heard the Magistrate has an only daughter, and later..."
Brother Bennet’s voice was low, with a malicious gleam in his eyes.
The playboys nodded in agreement, sinister smiles slowly crossing their faces.
Emily Parker’s words and gestures gradually suppressed Carlos’ anger, and his previously tense shoulders slightly relaxed.
After they completed the entrance check, they walked hand in hand through the manor’s grand entrance.
The interior of the manor was luxuriously decorated; the crystal chandeliers emitted soft light, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daylight.
The guests chatted in small groups, creating a lively yet solemn atmosphere.
However, not long after entering, Emily Parker’s gaze landed on two familiar silhouettes.
Her heart slightly sank, and her steps slowed.
One of them was Mrs. Parker. Tonight, she was extravagantly dressed, her plump figure draped in an expensive cheongsam embroidered with intricate patterns, strikingly gaudy.
Her hair was styled high, adorned with a sparkling amethyst hairpin, her face heavily made up to hide the traces of time, which instead made her look more vulgar.
At the moment, Mrs. Parker stood beside Father Parker, surrounded by numerous officials and family members, all ingratiatingly complimenting Father Parker while Mrs. Parker enjoyed their flattery with a proud expression.
Recently, Father Parker had garnered the Magistrate’s favor, and his career prospered, attracting many sycophants.
He smiled, standing prominently in the crowd.
Mrs. Parker was basking in the feeling of being the center of attention when her peripheral vision caught sight of Emily Parker.
Her eyes widened instantly, as if she couldn’t believe what she saw.
Her expression turned extremely unpleasant, her lips subtly trembled as if trying to control her emotions.
However, when she noticed Carlos beside Emily Parker, she remembered something, and a trace of scorn surfaced at the corner of her lips.
"Oh, it’s the sparrow that has perched on the branch."
Mrs. Parker’s voice was sharp and derisive, filled with heavy sarcasm and disdain.
She deliberately raised her voice for everyone around to hear.
Her gaze swept over Emily Parker as if inspecting a worthless object, full of contempt.
Emily Parker frowned slightly but did not speak.
She knew Mrs. Parker’s temperament; arguing would only make things worse in such a setting. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NovєlFіre.net
Carlos slightly turned his head, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness as he intently stared at Mrs. Parker, seemingly warning her not to overstep.
The surrounding guests, upon hearing Mrs. Parker’s mockery, curiously glanced their way, and the atmosphere instantly became somewhat tense.