SWNOVELS Chapter 21
After settling some business in the company, Malcolm went straight back. to the Sinclair residence.
Along the way, he was thinking of the misunderstanding that night and wondering how he could best bring it up to Tabitha.
He did not expect Alaric to come to the mansion tonight.
Alaric and Tabitha were flipping through a brochure of the auction and discussing which items to bid on later.
Only then did Malcolm remember the invitation he received from Crescendo Gala two days ago.
Crescendo Gala was considered an event of charity and a top–tier banquet in Xosa. Entry tickets were also extremely expensive
and the invited guests. were required to put on the accessories acquired from the charity auction.
The auction would be held in three days. After the auction, the staff would do a headcount of the number of people present and
then determine the VIPs who would enter the gala.
As a wife, Tabitha would naturally receive an invitation too.
Malcolm had returned but the people in the room did not even spare him. a look. They simply acted as if he did not exist.
He stood aside when he saw Tabitha point to a page in the brochure and say, “This bracelet looks quite beautiful.”
Dotingly, Alaric said, “When the time comes, let’s bid for it then.”
“Will it be very expensive?” she asked.
“Money is not a problem as long as you like it. Remember on the day to
keep holding up the sign until the end of the auction. I have the money,”
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he assured.
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Malcolm, who was completely ignored, stepped closer and seemingly glanced at the brochure inadvertently.
The bracelet was called “Lone Star’s Tear“. It was said to have been. designed by the royal designer of Daprein in the 1970s
exclusively for a princess.
It was a slender platinum bracelet inlaid with an eight–hearts–and–eight- arrows diamond in the middle. It resembled a teardrop
lingering at the edge of a princess‘ eyelid, hence the name “Lone Star’s Tear“.
Just hearing of the bracelet was enough to make a girl fall in love.
Malcolm saw a hint of yearning in Tabitha’s eyes and a thought flashed through his mind.
‘I accidentally cut the flowers she planted herself and we have argued so badly that we broke up on bad terms... I’m not gonna
lose face just to apologize to her, he decided internally. “The necklace appeared at just the right time.
Malcolm walked so close that Alaric appeared to see him. Alaric greeted him lightly, “You’re back?”
Tabitha simply ignored him and pretended he was transparent. She lowered her eyes and did not even bother to say hello.
“Well, I had a lot of company matters to settle today so I’m back a bit later today,” Malcolm explained faintly. Right after that,
Alaric and Tabitha opposite him went back to flipping through the brochure again and ignoring him.
Malcolm was bored. “Grandpa, I’m going out for a walk.”
“Hmm.” Alaric let out a dispensable hum in acknowledgment.
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Malcolm shot a look at Tabitha and her attention was still fixed on the brochure of auction items. She did not even look at him.
He strode to the garden. Originally, he was thinking of getting some fresh air but what fell into sight instead was a bare patch of
yellow mud. The beautiful tulips that were once there had since disappeared.
He grew even more irritated. Right then, Naomi called.
“Malcolm, I just heard from one of my best friends that there’s going to be a Crescendo Gala in a few days. Can I go with you? I
want to do some good too,” she started.
Malcolm was still hesitating a little when he heard Naomi’s voice on the other end of the phone. She said cautiously, “Don’t worry.
The wound on my arm has healed. Besides, I won’t let that old scar show. I promise I won’t embarrass you.”
‘Naomi’s arm had only gotten wounded because she saved me, he remembered in thought.
After Naomi brought up the old scar, Malcolm’s brows furrowed slightly and he could only agree to her request.
“On the day of the gala, I will arrange for an assistant to take you in,” he promised.
Unable to get the answer she was expecting, Naomi clenched her fist in resentment. In a low voice, she asked, “Malcolm, am I
asking too much? If it is a bother to you...”
Her voice was deliberately lowered so she would appear weakly, pitiful, and as if she were yearning for his affection.
“Don’t think too much,” he suppressed his annoyance and explained patiently.
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Crescendo Gala was Xosa’s banquet for the top–tiered. For such an important occasion, he had to attend with his wife on paper.
He could not possibly take Naomi there.
Naomi listened but inside she cursed and hated Tabitha for getting in the way. However, she could sense that this was Malcolm’s
bottom line, so she dared not pester him further. Obediently, she expressed, “I understand.”
After that, she took a step back and tentatively tested, “Malcolm, if I can’t go with you to the gala, can I go with you to the
auction?”
The auction acted as a
Stone to the Crescendo Gala. From the auction, the organizers would donate five percent of the proceeds to charity. To prevent
malicious bids, organizers would also obscure the identity of buyers during bidding.
Auctions tended to be very boring. In previous years, he and Tabitha never attended them in person. They usually chose the
jewelry they wanted and arranged for those working under them to bid for it.
Malcolm hummed faintly at her request which implied his agreement.
Naomi exclaimed happily, “Thank you, Malcolm.”
Malcolm had just hung up when he heard a loud snort.
He immediately turned around and saw Alaric standing not far away. He did not know how long Alaric had been listening.
Tabitha was helping Alaric by supporting him as they walked. Her face was neutral, peaceful even, but there was no discernible‘
emotion within her hazel eyes.
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