Delh eyed the middle–aged man blocking their path with a flicker of recognition, but she couldn’t quite ce where she’d seen him before. Puzzled, she inquired, “And you are?”
“Thedy of the house has requested the pleasure of yourpany at the café up ahead,” the middle–aged man replied, his manner polite yetced with an undercurrent of haughtiness that was unmistakable. He was the Gilbert family’s butler.
Delh narrowed her eyes slightly. “Thedy of the house?”
The butler nodded, maintaining a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing, “Mrs. Gilbert. Miss Mirabe’s adoptive mother.”
Delh’s expression darkened ever so slightly, “What does she want with us?”
“I’m not entirely privy to the details, but if you apany me, all shall be revealed,” the butler said smoothly, stepping aside but clearly not intending to leave without escorting them.
Delh frowned, her disdain for Mandy palpable. Mandy’s airs of a high–society matron grated on Delh, not to mention Mandy’s past mistreatment of Mirabe. Without hesitation, Delh declined, “I’m sorry, but we’re short on time.”
The butler seemed to have anticipated her refusal and added, “The matter Mrs. Gilbert wishes to discuss pertains to Miss Mirabe.”
At that, Delh swallowed her objections. Shawn ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
and addressed the butler, “Well then, we shall honor her request and see her.”
The butler’s lips pursed slightly <b>as </b>he gestured for them to follow, leading the way.
Delh nced at her husband, annoyancecing her voice, “I really don’t want to see that
woman.”
Shawn offered a reassuring smile, “You could wait in the car, and I’ll handle it.”
“Well, I’d like to see what kind of stunt she’s trying to pull now,” Delh snorted, catching up
to the butler.
Soon, they entered the café. The ce wasn’t crowded, and Mandy sat at a window–side table on the right. As Delh and Shawn approached, they overheard Mandy instructing, “John, please inform the manager that we’d like some privacy. No interruptions.”
Her makeup was impable, her voice indifferent as she gave her orders. Delh gave Mandy a once–over, her internal verdict sinct – pretentious.
“Certainly, madam,” the butler bowed slightly and made his way to the manager at the front.
Once the butler had left, Mandy finally turned her attention to Delh, envy flickering through her eyes.
Delh had been a beauty in her youth and maintained her appearance meticulously. Her
hapter 161.
<b>face </b><b>was </b>virtually unmarred by time, looking no more than in her thirties. Coupled with her poise and elegance, she outshone the typical society matron. Mandy resented Delh deeply. In her mind, Delh was just someone from humble beginnings, pretending to exude
ss.
With a forced smile, Mandy gestured to the seats opposite her, “Please, have a seat. Order whatever you like. It’s on the house.”
Delh found Mandy’s feigned hospitality amusing but said nothing. She took a seat without
ceremony.
Foregoing coffee, Delh rested her hands on the table and met Mandy’s gaze, cutting straight to the chase, “Let’s dispense with the pleasantries, shall we? I’d appreciate it if you could get to the point.”