Merigold shot Niamh a vicides glare, rotting her eyes with theatrical disdain
But the words “shameless woman caught in her throat, she couldn’t say them out
loud
Niamh was divorced from Jonathan new–no longer the Thomas family’s daughter in law
By all rights, even if Niamh had a new boyfriend, it was none of their business
anymore.
Still, Marigold just couldn’t let it go.
To her, Niamh was an ordinary woman from a modest background who’d lucked into the Thomas family–she should have been grateful for the privilege.
But instead, Niamh never appreciated her good fortune. She’d insisted on divorcing Jonathan, causing endless drama and making trouble for the Thomases again and
again.
Now she was divorced, and had barely turned around before finding another man
Marigold simply couldn’t stand women like Niamh–flighty and disloyal.
She tugged at Sprague’s sleeve, hoping he’d say something sharp to Niamh, but Sprague only glanced over, eyes full of annoyance.
The whole Thomas family trio was staring daggers at her, it was impossible for
Peter not to notice.
Yet Niamh kept chatting and laughing with Peter, never sparing the Thomases so much as a glance.
Both parties were headed to the same destination: the Grand Primus Ballroom aboard the Royal Victoria Cruises ship.
Niamh had barely stepped into the banquet hall when her feet suddenly felt as heavy as lead.
Walking beside her, Peter was baffled. He followed her gaze–and saw three people standing across the room.
Another family of three.
Peter blinked, trying to place them. He didn’t know Coralis well, but he’d heard of the powerful Quinn family–the force behind her.
1/2
Chapter 425
Right now, Niamh’s eyes were fixed on the Quinns.
The man was Hayes Quinn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the woman, Carlotta, was his wife, chairwoman of the Quinn Group and a renowned concert pianist.
Standing between them was, Peter guessed, the Quinns‘ adopted daughter.
He’d heard about her before, just in passing–her name was Ramona, if he remembered right.
Since the girl was standing between Hayes and Carlotta, and she was young, this
must be Ramona.
Peter found himself sizing her up.
She wore a striking scarlet gown embroidered with gold, the mermaid silhouette hugging her curves, the dramatic train trailing behind her. The vibrant red, lavish gold embroidery, and her softly curled, honey–blonde hair made her impossible to ignore. Heavy makeup completed the look–she was the center of attention, radiating confidence and poise.
Peter was surprised. Such boldness and self–assurance–nothing like the usual image of an adopted daughter.
He couldn’t help but wonder: Niamh hadn’t even blinked at the Thomases, so why did the Quinns get such a reaction from her? Was it just that Ramona’s outfit was so eye–catching that it drew Niamh’s attention?
Guests continued to drift into the ballroom.
Niamh never imagined that after several trips to Coralis without ever meeting the Quinns, she’d run into them here–on a cruise ship in Varythia, of all places.
When the Quinns glanced her way, Niamh quickly looked away, intending to pull Peter aside and keep her distance.
But while she recognized them, there was no guarantee they’d recognize her.
After all, it had been years since they last saw her.
Suddenly, Jonathan came to mind.
He used to swear he’d never forget her–that no matter how much time passed, no
matter how much she changed, he would always know her.
Yet when they met again, he hadn’t recognized her at all.
90:80
