Chapter 48
The heavy doors opened slowly, and three men in dark suits walked into the drawing room.
Two maids hurried in behind them, carrying three extra chairs. They placed them neatly in front of the family, set a small table, then bowed deeply before leaving. When the door shut again, silence filled the room.
“Please, take a seat, gentlemen,” John sald firmly, gesturing to the chairs.
Everyone in the room recognized the men. They were from the Wyndham legal department. The sight of the legal advisor himself among them made it clear–this wasn’t a casual meeting. Whatever they had come to announce was serious.
Wyatt, who had been fidgeting in his chair after seeing the men walk in finally stood up, unable to hold back his nerves. “Grandfather, what is happening? Why are they here p>
Alfred didn’t even look his way. He sat like a king on his throne, his face unreadable. “Sit down, Wyatt. You will find out soon enough p>
Wyatt sank back into his seat, but he couldn’t sit still. His legs shook, hitting the coffee table in front of him. Something big was about to happen. But he has no Idea of it.
The shock of him suddenly appointing Isla as the GM of Wyndham Wardrobe had not left them. No one knew what might come next, especially now that the legal team had arrived.
The room was restless. People shifted in their seats, unable to stay calm. But not everyone felt that way. John sat steady, and Isla too showed no sign of worry. Her mind was elsewhere–still on Delphine’s pregnancy. Besides, deep inside, she believed that whatever this meeting was about, it could only bring something good.
Gabriel, however, remained perfectly calm. His face carried no emotion, not even curiosity. He had learned long ago that Alfred Wyndham was unpredictable. The old man liked to play his games, liked to shock everyone when they least expected it. This was no different.
Alfred might be a man of few words, but he knew how to play his game well. What Anna didn’t realize was that Alfred had known about Delphine’s pregnancy long before anyone else. He also knew this gathering would happen, because Anna had tried many times to bring Delphine into the family.
That was why he planned this surprise for everyone. He understood that whatever he was about to do might not sit well with Isla. In fact, it could add to her troubles. It could even put his business at risk. But to Alfred, the decision was worth it.
Mr. Stewart, the Wyndham family’s long–time legal advisor, leaned forward. His voice was crisp and steady. Can we begin p>
“Please, go on,” Alfred replied, his tone commanding but relaxed.
Before Stewart could speak further, Anna suddenly shot up from her chair. She couldn’t sit still either. Fear and desperation clouded her face. She knew her father–in–law too well. When Alfred called the lawyers, it was never for anything simple. And deep down, she feared he was about to make a life–changing decision–one that might cut Delphine and her unborn child out of the picture completely.
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“Father, please,” Anna said quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. “1… I know you have your way of doing things, and no one can ever predict your mind. But before you say anything, let me speak on Delphine’s behalf p>
Alfred’s sharp eyes locked on her. “Get to the point, Anna.” Find the newest release on ⓝovelFind.net
She swallowed hard, then pushed the words out. “What I am trying to say is… if this is about sharing your properties, or whatever you’ve planned… I beg you to consider Delphine and her child. This is your grandchild we are talking about. Please, think of her.” Her voice broke a little as she sat back down.
Her words filled the room and were touching, it was good in some way, but uncomfortable to some. No one missed the desperation in her tone.
Alfred gave her a long, cold stare. Then he turned away, as if her plea had been nothing but an unpleasant noise in the ear. His gaze shifted around the room, where Delphine sat stiffly beside her parents, Rebecca and Brian.
“Brian. Rebecca,” Alfred finally spoke. “This matter now concerns the Wyndham family alone. I am certain Anna invited you here because of your daughter’s pregnancy. That has been discussed and it ends here.” His voice hardened. “From this point forward, I ask you to wait outside. We have a more pressing issue to handle p>
Gasps rippled quietly around the room.
Rebecca’s face flushed with embarrassment. Brian’s jaw tightened. They had thought themselves close enough to the Wyndhams to be included in everything–after all, they had known each other for years. But Alfred Wyndham was not a man to argue with. He had spoken, and that was final.
Swallowing their pride, they rose from their chairs and left the drawing room, the door shutting heavily behind them.
Delphine took that as her cue to leave as well. She rose slowly, head bowed, hoping to escape the sharp eyes and whispers. But before she could move another step, Alfred’s voice boomed across the room.
“Not you, Delphine. You can stay p>
Her heart lurched. Everyone’s eyes turned to her at once. Her hands twisted nervously against her dress, and she lowered herself back into the chair. For the first time ever, she felt her cheeks burning,
John cleared his throat and leaned toward the lawyers. “Please, proceed,” he instructed.
The room grew still again. Every heartbeat sounded louder. Even Isla, who had kept her face calm and unreadable, felt her stomach tighten. Whatever Alfred Wyndham was about to unleash, it would shake the whole family.
Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.