Chapter 47
“A good heart, huh?” Wilson returned Damian’s card to Serena as something flashed in his eyes. He had caught Damian looking
at Serena like she lit up his world.
The sound of glass shattering cut through the hall, and everyone turned toward the noise. Wilson and Serena glanced over their shoulders to see a man with salt–and–pepper hair glowering at an indifferent Jacob, wine and shards of glass littered by his feet.
Noticing everyone’s stares, Jacob smiled at the older man and said, “Now, Dad, it’s one thing to smash up wine glasses, but to throw a fit like that could shave years off your life.”
David Smith snapped, “I don’t need your false concern!”
Wilson led Serena toward the father–and–son duo, grabbing a glass of wine from the tray of a nearby attendant and handing it to David. His courteous tone belied the warning in his eyes as he said, “Now, Mr. Smith, surely your tantrums are better reserved for
days when we aren’t at a charity gala.”
David was silent for a few seconds before taking the glass of wine from Wilson. He was about to take a sip when a woman walked
up to him and reminded softly, “Mr. Smith, the doctor said you should lay off the alcohol after your surgery on account of your
bad heart.”
“A couple of glasses of wine won’t kill me!” David barked, glaring at her.
The woman said nothing more and remained beside David.
Serena glanced at the woman, only to be surprised by how young she was. She didn’t look much older than Serena, and she was beautiful in a fragile sort of way. Any man would feel the urge to protect her at first sight.
Wilson made the introductions. “Serena, this is David Smith, Jacob’s father. The woman beside him is Natasha Earhart, Mr.
Smith’s girlfriend.”
Serena nodded at David in greeting. “Mr. Smith, Ms. Earhart, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
She vaguely remembered meeting David when she lived with the Farrows, but this was the first time she had seen Natasha.
Serena found it bewildering that someone of David’s age would have such a young girlfriend. Then again, nearly every older man in high society had a mistress or two. Besides, David was divorced, so it shouldn’t be surprising that he had a girlfriend.
Natasha returned Serena’s greeting and flashed her a gentle smile.
David downed another two glasses of wine, and he looked ill as he grumbled, “My head’s spinning. Excuse me, Wilson, but I
believe I should take a rest in the guest room upstairs. Do continue without me.”
“Very well, Mr. Smith,” Wilson allowed mildly.
id his arms
David spun on his heels and left after that, Natasha hot on his heels. She helped him up the stairs.
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+25 Bonus
Jacob cast a sidelong glance at the slowly moving couple. More accurately, he was staring at Natasha. He didn’t take his gaze
her until a long moment later.
Wilson noticed this and turned to fix Jacob a curious look. “What is it now?”
“My dad’s famously ill–tempered, as you know,” Jacob said with a humorless chuckle. “At his age, it’s only a matter of time before his short fuse, drinking habits, and fooling around with women kill him.”
off
“I know you wish he were dead,” Wilson pointed out. “But try not to bring it up in public. You don’t know who’s eavesdropping, and you wouldn’t want anyone to frame you for your old man’s death when the time comes.”
Jacob immediately turned his gaze to Serena. She blinked and quickly said, “I didn’t hear anything.”
He sputtered. “Excuse me while I go check on the old man and make sure he’s still breathing.”
With that, he meandered over to the stairs and headed toward the second floor.
Serena watched his retreating figure. She suddenly realized that even though she had known Jacob since they were children, much like Arthur and Joseph, she didn’t know him all that well.
She couldn’t help asking Wilson, “Does Jacob not get along well with his
father?”
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