Thomas Fisher did indeed tell a few fibs earlier, but he didn’t lie about one crucial thing—the hidden shoes were indeed on the second floor.
"When did I lie to your brother-in-law? You kid, don’t talk nonsense." Thomas knew he had just lied to Easton Holmes, but how could he admit it? Doing so would just bring trouble upon himself.
William Turner suddenly leaned in close to Thomas, chuckling mischievously, "I hid those shoes, not my second sister, so she wouldn’t have told you anything about them."
"Why are you trying to drive a wedge between my second sister and her husband? I’ll tell him later and let him..."
"Stop!"
Thomas quickly shouted to stop the conversation, pushing the mischievous lad threatening him near his ear away. He glanced at Ryan Taylor and Benjamin Shaw standing not far away, then lowered his voice, "Here’s a big red envelope for you, but you need to behave yourself, got it?"
He took out the big red envelope from his black bag and subtly slipped it into William’s hand while no one else was paying attention.
"I’ll definitely be good."
William didn’t refuse, pocketing the red envelope Thomas had slipped into his hand. He stepped back, leaning against the kitchen door, waiting for the guys to find the shoes and return.
Easton Holmes and his friends did not keep Thomas waiting long; about ten minutes later, the guys who had gone upstairs returned.
Seeing Easton with Lily Turner’s new shoes, William immediately knocked on the door behind him and turned his head to inform the sisters inside, "Sisters! My brother-in-law found my sister’s shoes. Can I let them in now?"
He still stood at the kitchen door, not daring to move away without a direct order from the sisters inside.
"Go ahead!"
Alice Turner’s voice came from inside the door, and William quickly stepped aside to make space for Easton to enter.
Thank heavens, he could finally see his bride and take her home.
Easton took a big step forward, clutching the shoes he’d just found and moved to knock on the door, which swung open from the inside.
He rushed in, but just as he lifted his foot to step forward, a group of women suddenly appeared in front of him, causing him to put his foot down.
Blocking Easton’s way were Charlotte Shaw, Alice Turner, Hazel Jackson, and Alice’s two cousins, all standing in a row with Lily hidden behind them.
"Easton! You’re just charging in with the shoes like that? Isn’t that a bit too rushed and careless?" Charlotte Shaw, the most acquainted with Easton among them, spoke up first.
Seeing Charlotte there surprised Easton, though he hid it well, "Then how can I make it less careless?"
He craned his neck trying to get a glimpse of his bride but caught only a glimpse of a head with a veil, not even seeing her face.
"Figure it out yourself!"
The shoe search was a fixed part of the plan, but the dance earlier and the current challenge were impromptu additions thought of on the spot. Since it was a last-minute idea, the sisters weren’t prepared.
In a moment of urgency, Charlotte casually passed the problem-solving burden onto Easton.