----
Chapter 601
So Elliot did not refuse outright. He still wanted to confirm
things with someone he trusted.
Julian paused before giving the order. "Go."
Sydney did not have many enemies. The Hutton family might
provide a lead
Caleb heard that Julian still had the energy to attend a gala. His
brows drew together. "You still think it was Megan?"
He had already raised the point with Julian. Megan had handed
him the antidote herself. With her abilities, she should not have
had a backup plan.
"You really think what happened today is something Megan
could pull off?" Caleb pressed
Stealing a car, kidnapping someone, using fake plates,
swapping vehicles—the entire chain of events had run flawlessly.
Julian grabbed the coat from the back of the chair and walked
out.
Elsewhere, Megan learned that Julian had gone to Hampton
----
Corp. She also heard that he had taken the antidote.
She exploded on the spot. In the gala hall's lounge, her fury
boiled over and she smashed her phone.
"Caleb Hampton. Indecisive to the point of stupidity. Soft-
hearted to the bone."
She had already bribed the staff at the port Sydney was
supposed to pass through. If Caleb had followed the plan,
Sydney would have died without question.
Instead, he hesitated. Then Julian shut it down.
'No wonder the Hampton family fell further behind the Sterling
family every year,’ she thought.
The lounge door clicked open. Megan reined in her anger at
once. She looked up and saw Penelope. Her frown sharpened. "
Why are you here?"
After things had blown up this badly, Diana's hardline nature
should not have allowed her anywhere near this place.
Penelope swallowed the disgust rising in her chest and forced a
smile that never reached her eyes. 'If you can be here, why can't
I?
"Diana told the maids to let me out herself."
----
She had even overheard Diana mention a proposal. That meant
the Huttons had no intention of ruining her engagement to the
Hamptons.
As long as Adeline came to make it official tonight, she could
marry back into the Hamptons
Even if Adeline later discovered that her background was
fabricated, she would endure it for Timothy's sake. She would
endure it for the child in Penelope's womb as well. Otherwise,
the Hamptons would become a laughingstock.
With that thought, Penelope looked at Megan with faint
superiority. After being cast out by the Huttons, she still had a
path into a top-tier household like the Hamptons.
On the other hand, Megan likely could not reach Julian anymore.
Before the thought could settle, James walked over. He ignored
Penelope and looked straight at Megan. "Eloise is here. Dad
wants you."
He used her name. There was no title and no warmth.
Megan's heart still lifted. Eloise had come. This could be about a
marriage alliance with Julian.
Megan stood at once. "I'm coming."
----
The gala was set for 6:00 p.m., but most of the guests had
already arrived. Bright lights bathed the hall as socialites and
power players filled the space.
Megan stepped out in a custom gown. She lifted her chin and
drew a wave of envious, flattering looks
James watched her walk away, his eyes turning cold.
Raymond passed by and caught his expression. "Isn't this
basically settled? Why do you look like you're heading into a war?
Tonight, they would expel both of them from the Huttons
Julian had messaged him at noon. The antidote issue had been
resolved.
Tomorrow, the whole family could finally bring Vee home
James shot him a glance. "What do you think about Julian and
Vee?"
Raymond did not hesitate. He chose his sister over brotherhood
without pause. "Not a chance."
Julian was outstanding. His sister was better. No one deserved
her.
----
“Aren't you two inseparable?" James asked.
Raymond replied with calm conviction, "A brother is a brother. A
brother-in-law is a brother-in-law. The standards aren't the same."
James's mouth twitched. "Then what if Megan marries him?"
"What did you say?”
"Eloise is here." James tipped his chin toward the other side of
the hall. "She met Dad alone first. Then she asked to see Megan
by name."
"Damn," Raymond muttered. "I'm going to talk to Diana."
James glanced toward Diana in the distance. She stood
composed as she greeted guests.
When Eloise arrived, Diana had likely understood everything at
once. He just could not tell what she was planning.