Chapter 246
Chapter 246:
Servants moved silently around the table, serving lobster bisque. The only sound was the soft clinking of spoons against fine china. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Well? I’m waiting,” Gigi said, her gaze fixed on Ferd.
Ferd cleared his throat. “She is not suitable, Mother. The Solomon name is ruined. Her uncle is a murderer p>
“Names don’t ruin families, Ferdinand. People do,” Gigi said, taking a measured sip of her soup. “You should know that better than anyone p>
“She brings nothing to the table,” Ferd insisted, attempting to regain some ground.
“She brings Dallas.” Gigi pointed her spoon at her grandson.
Dallas was eating calmly, his left hand resting on Eliza’s knee beneath the table, squeezing it gently.
𝘙𝗲𝗮d 𝖿𝗋о𝘮 у𝗈𝗎𝗿 р𝗵𝗈𝘯𝘦 оn ѕ.с𝘰𝗆
“He hasn’t visited this house in five years,” Gigi observed. “Now he’s here. Because of her.” She turned her gaze back to Ferd, her eyes cold and deliberate. “And you want to drive him away again? Like you did when he was ten p>
Ferd paled. “That was necessary. He was dangerous p>
“It was a lie!” Gigi’s hand slammed onto the table, sending the silverware jumping. “A lie you concocted to cover your own pathetic sins. I got the whole story from Dallas this morning. You let a conniving secretary and your own weakness nearly ruin our heir p>
Jeannine flinched at the words, but she didn’t look at Gigi. She looked at Ferd, her eyes filled with a cold, burning hatred.
“Don’t look at me like that, Jeannine,” Gigi snapped. “You went along with it. To keep your pearls. To keep your status.” She let the silence settle before delivering her verdict. “You are both selfish, cold, and stupid p>
Her expression softened as her gaze moved to Dallas.
“Dallas is the only good thing this family has produced in two generations. And he chose her.” She gestured toward Eliza. “If he had chosen a beggar, I would have welcomed her. But he chose a Solomon — a girl with backbone. A girl who stood up to you p>
Gigi raised her wine glass. “Eliza, welcome to the family. Ignore these two idiots p>
Eliza felt tears prick her eyes. “Thank you, Gigi p>
Dallas smiled — a genuine, warm smile. “Thanks, Grandma p>
Ferd stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. He was trembling.
“I will not be insulted at my own table!” he shouted.
“Sit down, Ferdinand.” Gigi didn’t even rise from her seat. “Or I will write you out of the will completely and leave every penny to the cat sanctuary p>
Ferd froze. Money talked. He sat down slowly.
Jeannine spoke up, her voice soft and hesitant. “I… I can help with the guest list p>
Ferd turned to his wife, his expression raw with betrayal. “Jeannine p>
Jeannine looked at Dallas. “Gigi is right. Dallas looks happy.” She then turned to Eliza. “And you were right. About the cafe p>
The tide had turned. Ferd was isolated.
“I need a drink,” he muttered, reaching for the wine bottle.
The lunch continued, but the atmosphere had shifted from tense to volatile. Ferd was drinking heavily, his face flushed and his eyes glassy.