The mere mention of it sent waves of irritation through her system. "Is there some deeper connection between them? Why would someone of his stature show up to celebrate her birthday?"
"There isn't," Niall answered, her voice cutting through the air like ice. "They're practically strangers."
From what she could piece together, Veronica had only met Malcolm through Dario's connections.
Which meant Malcolm's presence at today's celebration was undoubtedly tied to Dario somehow.
"I see," Bonnie murmured, accepting the explanation.
At the neighboring table, positioned directly behind Niall's seat, Marco and Nate had settled in for their meal.
Marco had been methodically working through his dinner when the conversation about Malcolm's attendance at Mary's party reached his ears. His fork hesitated midway to his mouth. "Are we talking about the Murray celebration?"
Nate leaned forward conspiratorially. "Mary Murray is having her birthday today, Veronica's grandmother on her mother's side. Here's the interesting part though - both the Murray gathering and the Mack housewarming are happening simultaneously, and they're competing for the same guest list. Most people are choosing this event because of Cullen's connection to Niall." Nate had been completely unaware of the scheduling conflict until he'd overheard the gossip circulating through the banquet hall just moments earlier.
The implications hit Marco immediately. "So what you're telling me is that the Murray party is practically deserted?"
Nate lifted his shoulders in a casual shrug. "From what I'm hearing, roughly three-quarters of their tables are sitting empty."
A laugh escaped him, though it carried no warmth. "Can you imagine the humiliation? Watching your guests abandon you one by one, and being powerless to prevent it."
The cruel satisfaction in Nate's voice was unmistakable.
Marco's entire demeanor transformed in an instant. He pushed back from the table and shot to his feet.
The sudden movement caught Nate off guard. "What's gotten into you?"
"I need to handle something urgent," Marco declared tersely.
Before Nate could form a response, Marco was already striding away with purpose.
Niall and Bonnie's attention was drawn to the commotion as Marco disappeared from view.
"Where did Marco rush off to?" Niall inquired.
"He claimed something pressing came up that required a phone call."
Niall dismissed the incident without further consideration.
The chair positioned next to hers remained conspicuously vacant.
She had deliberately reserved that spot for Cullen's arrival.
Sophia checked her watch and voiced the concern that had been building. "Cullen still hasn't arrived, Niall. Perhaps you should reach out to him?"
The same thought had been nagging at Niall's mind. She retrieved her phone and dialed Cullen's number. The call refused to connect.
The Mack family's housewarming celebration had drawn an impressive crowd of influential guests. As hosts, the Mack made their rounds to each table, raising toasts and engaging in the delicate dance of networking and relationship building.
Niall found herself thrust into the center of these social obligations.
After all, the majority of attendees had come specifically because of her presence and influence.
Having Niall participate in the hosting duties ensured the guests would treat the Mack family with the respect and deference they craved.
As they approached each table with drinks in hand, the seated guests rose respectfully.
Following the customary exchange of pleasantries, one of the attendees posed the question that had been hovering in the air. "Has Mr. Dennis not made his appearance yet, Ms. Crystal?"
Niall maintained her composed facade. "He's currently en route and should be joining us momentarily."
Her words had barely faded when a voice from across the table interjected, "Actually, a friend of mine just informed me that Mr. Dennis is currently at the Murray family celebration."
"Cullen Dennis is there as well? Are you certain?"
"There's photographic evidence circulating. Take a look!"
"My God, that's definitely him!"
Every pair of eyes in the vicinity turned toward Niall simultaneously.
The guests had no particular loyalty to the Mack family, but they had accepted the housewarming invitation for two primary reasons: to demonstrate respect for Cullen Dennis's influence, and because the Murray family's business empire was widely known to be crumbling beyond recovery.
However, the current situation painted a drastically different picture. Not only had Malcolm chosen to attend Mary's birthday celebration, but Cullen Dennis himself was there paying his respects.
The uncomfortable question that now hung in the air was obvious: what exactly were they all doing here?