Chapter 305

The party venue shimmered beneath dazzling lights,alive with a chorus of laughter and chatter.

Luis strode toward Miranda with easy confidence,hands tucked in his pockets, carrying himself with the calm of a man who owned the moment.

Verena's gaze followed him, noting the glint of playful defiance in his manner as he exchanged a few words-likely probing Miranda about her intentions.

Miranda did not answer at once; instead, she studied him with a smile that was subtle yet layered with meaning.

Luis knitted his brows faintly, and Miranda leaned in,whispering something against his ear-a gesture both intimate and enigmatic.

Surprise flickered across Luis' features; his deep-set eyes locked on hers.

For an instant, it felt as though time itself had drawn to a halt.

Luis' expression hardened with indifference, while Miranda's lips arched in a smile of assured triumph.

Just as Verena braced for him to turn away, Luis startled her by moving first, striding toward the back garden.

Miranda cast Verena a glance,lifted her brow in silent victory, and followed after him with practiced grace.

Though Molly had slipped into the party venue earlier,her eyes clung to Luis as if drawn by invisible threads.

When Miranda appeared and traded glances with him,Molly-who had long nursed hidden feelings-felt her heart twist tight.

Her instincts pricked like thorns, sensing something unusual in the air.

Then she noticed Verena chatting cordially with Miranda, even taking pains to draw Luis closer to Miranda.

A sense of threat, sharp and unfamiliar, gripped Molly's chest.

Watching the two leave together, she smothered her rising jealousy with a sip of wine and approached Verena, a smile carefully stitched onto her face.

"Verenna, I saw a striking lady with you earlier. Is she a friend of yours?" Molly asked, tone light as if nothing weighed on her.

Verena had little fondness for Molly's brand of familiarity,yet courtesy-and gratitude for Sherwood's kindness-kept her lips curved faintly as she answered,"Yes. She's my best friend."

Molly wet her lips with another sip,jealousy flashing in her eyes though her voice remained curious. "Well,she certainly seems distinguished. And it looks like she knows Luis too. Hlave they met before?"

Verena's brows creased,irritation simmering at Molly's persistence.

After a brief pause, she replied evenly, "They've crossed paths at some evens, but I don't know the details."

A sly smile crept to Molly's mouth as she pressed further. "Verena,you're truly helpful-setting them up like that. Are you trying to play matchmaker?"

At that, Verena's gaze sharpened.

She nearly admitted as much, yet concern for Miranda's reputation silenced her. Meeting Molly's eyes squarely, she said with calm conviction, "Miss Kirk,you're overthinking. It's nothing more than ordinary interaction between friends."

Molly sneered inwardly, though her outward smile shone as bright as ever. "Perhaps you're right. I might be imagining things. Luis is extraordinary, after all,and such men draw admirers like moths to a flame."

She paused, feigning nonchalance before adding,"Besides, Luis and I grew up together, and our families have always spoken of a union. I'm not saying it's improper to play matchmaker; I just worry that you've been away so long you may miss the undercurrents-and unknowingly fall into another's schemes,disrupting relationships."

Her words carried barbed hostility aimed squarely at Miranda.

Verena,keen to the venom hidden in honeyed tones,remained unmoved.

Her eyes locked on Molly's, sharp as an eagle's. "Is that so? Yet my brother has said clearly he has no intention of marrying you. I assume he's told you as much himself. If you're neither engaged nor in a courtship,how couldldisruptbondsthatneverexisted?"

For a heartbeat, Molly's face faltered, but she quickly masked it. "So, Verena, do you truly believe your friend would suit Luis?"

A dull ache throbbed at Verena's temples; she longed to change the subject.

Just then, her eyes caught lsaac in his wheelchair nearby,waiting patiently.

Warmth flooded her chest, and with a faint shrug,she told Molly, "Who can ever predict the heart's course?Forgive me, I must attend to something else."

Without waiting for reply, she made her way toward Isaac.

Molly watched her retreat, dissatisfaction flickering in her eyes.

"Ungrateful. Insensible," she muttered,slamming her glass onto a tray, spilling droplets of wine.

Verena was right: Luis had told Molly plainly in private that he regarded her only as a younger sister, never as a bride.

But what of it?

Such a matter could not be decided by the Sampson siblings alone.

Lowering her gaze,Molly thought of her father-how he had lent the Sampson family tireless support in business, how he had guided Luis patiently during the family's darkest days after their daughter went missing.

Without her father's hand, the Sampsons would hardly stand as tall as they did now. With such loyalty repaid, what right did the Sampsons have to deny a marriage alliance?

In Molly's mind, her union with Luis was not a question of if but when.

The more she thought about it, the more certain she became of her place, and her jealousy toward Verena's friend waned.

Meanwhile, Verena reached Isaac, took his hand,and teased lightly, "Forgive me. I've been so busy l've neglected you."

Isaac shook his head, his calloused fingertips brushing her palm. "That was Sherwood's daughter, wasn't it?What did she want with you?"

Verena frowned,recalling Molly's words, annoyance weighing on her.

With a sigh, she admitted, "It was about my brother.She said her family and my family had long arranged a union, and warned me not to set Miranda up with Luis,lest I ruin their plans."

Isaac's brows drew together, his eyes narrowing with a trace of scorn. "How presumptuous. If Luis has no will for it, no power on earth can force him."