60
“Impossible! She’s involved with a married man? You must be joking!” exclaimed a woman seated near Tessa, her expression one of utter disbelief.
Abigail’s attention sharpened at the mention of a “married man.” She believed she already knew who the subject of this gossip might be.
She chuckled lightly, her voice carrying a playful edge. “Alright, Mrs. Sugden, perhaps you could enlighten us on who Jessica is supposedly involved with?”
Tessa leaned forward, her tone heavy with implication. “The man in question is Ethan Parker of the esteemed Clark family! Everyone knows Mr. Clark is married, don’t they?”
Hearing this, the faint frowns on both Abigail’s and Liam’s faces vanished, replaced by their usual composed expressions.
Noticing the skeptical looks cast her way, Tessa quickly added, “I swear I’m telling the truth! If anyone doubts me, step outside and see for yourselves. Mrs. Thomas’s goddaughter is out there in the hallway—with Ryan!”
The women at the table exchanged uneasy glances, torn between the tantalizing allure of gossip and the risk of offending Abigail.
Abigail, observing their hesitation, smirked inwardly. Her voice was calm as she suggested, “Why don’t we see for ourselves?” Rising gracefully, she led the way out of the room.
Encouraged by Abigail’s confident initiative, the group eagerly followed.
As they turned the corner, they were met with the sight of Jessica standing in the hallway with Ryan and Emily.
At that moment, Ryan was speaking to Jessica in a tone that dripped with condescension. “Ms. Thomas, you should know Ethan is already taken. I’d advise you to maintain your distance. Being labeled a homewrecker—or worse, a mistress—won’t just ruin your reputation. It could tarnish the Thomas family name.”
Ryan paused, his gaze hardening. “Surely, you wouldn’t want people whispering that Mr. Thomas’s goddaughter is entangled with another woman’s husband, would you?”
Jessica threw her head back and laughed, her amusement genuine and unrestrained. It had been a while since she’d encountered someone so shameless.
Turning to Emily with raised eyebrows, she said playfully, “Perhaps your cousin needs to hear those words instead.”
Ryan’s face darkened immediately. Just as he opened his mouth to retaliate, a quiet “click” echoed through the hallway as a nearby door swung open.
Ethan stepped out, his calm gaze falling on Jessica. His brows furrowed slightly, and he said evenly, “Why are you still standing here? Come inside.”
His casual words sent a ripple of shock through Ryan and Emily.
Ryan’s expression twisted into disbelief as he stepped forward. Glancing between Ethan and Jessica, he blurted, “Ethan? Are you having dinner with Ms. Thomas? What’s going on here?”
Emily followed suit, her tone tinged with faux concern as she moved closer to Ethan. “Ethan… are you and Ms. Thomas… involved?”
Ethan said nothing, his silence amplifying the tension in the air.
Jealousy flared in Ryan’s eyes. Standing tall, he challenged Ethan with a pointed tone. “Ethan, you promised Emily that after divorcing that… woman, you’d marry her. So, why are you here dining with Ms. Thomas? What’s really going on between you two?”
Before Ethan could respond, a commanding voice cut through the hallway like a whip.
“Ryan.”
All heads turned as Liam stepped forward, his expression cold and authoritative. Behind him trailed several prominent women from the social circle, their curious eyes taking in the scene.
“Liam, Abigail,” Jessica greeted them, her voice laced with genuine surprise.
Liam offered her a brief nod before directing his sharp gaze at Ryan. “Since you know Ethan is still married, why do you encourage your cousin’s advances? What are your intentions here?”
Ryan faltered, visibly flustered by the unexpected confrontation.
Abigail stepped forward, her presence commanding, and addressed the crowd. “Mrs. Sugden, you were so insistent about sharing what you overheard. Well, it seems we now have the chance to hear the full story directly from the people involved. So, let’s hear it—what exactly were you implying about my goddaughter?”
Tessa’s face paled as she realized the tables had turned.
Ethan finally broke his silence, his voice calm but firm. “There’s nothing inappropriate happening here. Jessica is accompanying me for dinner. Anything else you’ve assumed is your own fabrication.”
Ryan opened his mouth to argue, but Ethan shot him a cold look that silenced him immediately.
With the tension thick in the air, Abigail turned to the gathered women. “Ladies, I hope this clears up any misunderstandings. Let’s not waste time entertaining baseless rumors.”
As the group dispersed, chastened but still buzzing with speculation, Abigail smirked inwardly, pleased with how she had defused the situation.
