?Chapter 986:


    Melinda’s face turned a deep shade of red from embarrassment. She felt deeply ashamed and utterly humiliated.


    Neil gave a mockingugh before turning away, leaving Melinda on the verge of tears.


    She was baffled by the drastic shift in Neil’s attitude toward her.


    He seemed like apletely different person.


    Meanwhile, at the Nash family’s home, Sergio, who was unwell, had delegated the task of organizing Brian’s wee-back banquet to Hannah. Marissa, being Brian’s daughter, helped Hannah with the preparations.


    Despite the risks and challenges awaiting Brian upon his return, Marissa was joyful about the family reunion.


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    Her focus was solely on preparing for her father’s homing, oblivious to the machinations of Aelfric and his cohorts. The banquet was put together in haste. Many details still needed attention, keeping the entire Nash family busy until the event.


    At two o’clock, the banquet started punctually. Guests trickled in, greeted by Marissa and Hannah, who exchanged pleasantries with them.


    Despite the Nash family’s waning influence, Brian’s illustrious past drew arge turnout from the city’s elite. Their curiosity mirrored Aelfric’s—everyone was eager to understand Brian’s current standing.


    Aelfric made his entrance in a wheelchair, pushed by Dennis, immediately catching the attention of many attendees. There was much whispering.


    People were curious about his sudden injury and his abrupt expulsion from Doomsday Base.


    When he was still the deputy chief instructor of Doomsday Base, everyone had feared him and tried to curry favor with him. Now that he had been stripped of this title, the enthusiasm to please him had noticeably cooled, though he was still politely greeted.


    Aelfric was unfazed. He knew the dynamics of this social circle well—powermanded respect, and weakness did not. To reim his former glory, he knew he must rise above his past role at Doomsday Base.


    He had two primary goals for attending the banquet: to meet Brian personally and to unveil Marissa’s pretense as a Nash, hoping to disgrace Connor.


    He ignored the surrounding murmurs and attitudes, his gaze fixed on Marissa.


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