?<strong>Chapter 937:</strong>


    But before Alethea could dwell further on her thoughts, Kyson spoke. His voice was calm, but his words carried a quiet firmness.


    “Yes, Marina and Carrie are very close. Not just Marina, our entire family is very fond of Carrie.”


    He emphasized the words “entire family,” making his stance crystal clear. His tone had also turned colder, his patience wearing thin.


    Alethea’s fingers clenched slightly, but she forced herself to remainposed, swallowing her irritation.


    However, before she could think of a way to salvage the moment, Kyson cut the conversation short.


    “Miss Hinks, we’ve arrived at the banquet hall. Please, make yourselffortable. I’ll be taking my leave.”


    With a polite nod, he turned on his heel and walked away—toward Carrie—without even sparing Alethea a second nce.


    Alethea’s entrance into the banquet hall drew considerable attention. Her chestnut curls had been meticulously styled, cascading over her shoulders and partially veiling her delicate corbone. She wore an elegant white gown adorned with shimmering Akoya pearls, and matching strands of pearls graced her wrists and neck.


    Each pearl was perfectly round, their lustrous glow catching the light. There was truly an aura of wealth around her.


    For some time, rumors about this youngdy from Egoshire had painted her as an unmatched beauty—wless, ethereal, almost divine. But now, standing before them in person, she seemed… ordinary. The contrast between expectation and reality left many slightly underwhelmed. Especially after seeing Carrie.


    Carrie’s beauty was striking—undeniable, effortless. And beside her, Alethea seemed almost… in.


    Though the socialites at the banquet maintained their polite facades, their smiles carried the unmistakable air of disappointment.


    “Seeing is believing. Miss Hinks, you are truly beautiful.”


    The words were ttering, yet theck of genuine admiration was evident to anyone perceptive enough to notice. The Hinks couple certainly did.


    And so did Alethea. Back in Egoshire, she had been showered with praise at every turn. She was the golden girl—envied, adored, ced on a pedestal. But here, in Isonridge, theirpliments felt perfunctory, almost patronizing. Her expression darkened, unable to mask her growing frustration.


    Kelsey, already skeptical after what the Morrison family had hinted earlier, didn’t miss the way Alethea’s face twisted with displeasure. The subtle shift in her demeanor only deepened Kelsey’s suspicions.


    After exchanging polite words with the guests, Kelsey turned to Alethea and said, “Come sit with me for a while.”


    Alethea, still preupied with her own thoughts, barely registered the request. Her mind was elsewhere—flitting between Carrie and Kyson. Her eyes continuously scanned the room, searching for any sign of them.


    She barely noticed when Kelsey led her to a seat. Once they were settled, Kelsey’s voice broke through her daze.


    “Alethea, has anything happened recently in Isonridge?”


    “Huh? No,” Alethea replied absentmindedly, her gaze still darting around.


    Kelsey’s tone sharpened.


    “Alethea, what are you looking at? Why are you so distracted while I’m talking to you?”


    The sudden shift in her voice made Alethea’s heart jolt.


    “I… I just wanted to see who else had arrived,” she stammered, finally forcing herself to meet Kelsey’s gaze.


    Kelsey exchanged a nce with Jacob, who, after a thoughtful pause, spoke softly.


    “Let’s just ask directly.”


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