Chapter 812
Eileen’s and Bryan’s laughter filled the room. After their light breakfast, Bryan arranged for a car to take Eileen back to the Vazquez mansion.
When Eileen arrived, Gianna and Conroy hadn’t arrived yet. This time, the situation at the mansion was different. It was teeming with servants, all busily preparing for the banquet in the evening.
Eileen headed straight to Leyla’s room, finding her grandmother poised elegantly at her dressing table, her white hair perfectly styled for the occasion.
Leyla looked up and greeted Eileen with a warm smile.
“You’ve moved quickly,” Leyla remarked, both surprised and pleased.
“How did you manage to convince them to reveal your identity so soon?”
Conroy and Gianna had cut Leyla’s connection with the outside world. Even if Leyla wanted to hold the banquet, she wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.
The morning’s good news that the family was holding a welcome banquet made Leyla realize that Eileen had made her move.
“I’ve only been back for less than a month,” Leyla said, impressed by Eileen’s swift actions. She had expected it would take Eileen at least a year or two to handle Conroy and Gianna.
Eileen, her lips curving into a smile, leaned in and whispered, “Do you want me to take more time to deal with the matter?”
“Of course not,” Leyla responded, looking rejuvenated by the turn of events. “I’ll give you another month to wrap everything up.”
The new deadline added pressure on Eileen.
“Grandma, once this is all settled, would you consider moving to Onaland with me?” she asked.
Leyla looked down, her voice tinged with reluctance. “I’ve spent my whole life in Alverton. Onaland is so far away… How could I possibly move there?”
Noticing Leyla’s reluctance, Eileen changed the subject.
“Will there be many people at the banquet tonight?”
Leyla smiled with a hint of pride. “Our family is quite influential here in Alverton. Even those living hours away will come. It’s a significant event, your return.”
After a pause, she added, “If you’re in charge of the Vazquez family in the future, they’ll have to be careful not to offend you.”
Eileen found amusement in Leyla’s spirited declarations. Leyla’s vibrant demeanor was a refreshing change from the frail woman Eileen had seen before.
As evening approached, Eileen discovered that the earlier statements were not exaggerations at all.
The turnout was astounding; nearly a thousand guests had arrived at the Vazquez Mansion.
Those living nearby had driven for about two hours, while others had journeyed for seven to eight hours to reach the mansion. Eileen also learned about a bed and breakfast not far from their estate, owned by the Vazquez family. It was often used to accommodate guests during large events.
Tonight, it stood ready to host the guests whose homes were far away from here.