She figured Hayes and Carlotta probably wouldn’t recognize her either.
Just as Niamh was about to turn away, someone else entered her line of sight.
The newcomer gave her a friendly wave, as if they’d known each other for ages.
Niamh paused for a moment, then offered a polite smile in return.
Peter, watching her closely from the side, felt his curiosity deepen.
“You know Mr. Quinn’s assistant?” he asked.
Niamh withdrew her gaze and looked at Peter. She could tell he was itching to know more, but she had no interest in dredging up her complicated history with the Quinn family. So she just offered a noncommittal “Yeah.”
Peter seemed to pick up on her reluctance and didn’t push the subject further.
They linked arms and started to head back into the banquet hall, but before they’d gone far, Marigold’s shrill call of “Mr. Quinn!” rang out, making Niamh’s ears ring.
She watched as Sprague and Marigold all but sprinted toward Hayes and Carlotta, their faces plastered with overeager smiles.
The two pairs shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, all practiced charm and empty words.
Niamh watched from the sidelines, her eyelids lifting just a fraction. This was the first time she’d seen Marigold so effusive and attentive.
Honestly, she’d been surprised to spot Marigold at a charity gala at all. In her memory, Sprague rarely brought his wife to these events–his usual companions were up–and–coming actresses or models, never Marigold.
Jonathan made his way over to Hayes and Carlotta at a leisurely pace–not because he was trying to dawdle, but simply because he hadn’t rushed over like Sprague and Marigold.
So, compared to them, he seemed slower.
“This is Mr. Thomas’s son, isn’t it? Even better in person than all the stories say!” someone exclaimed.
Hayes and Carlotta both gave Jonathan a once–over, clearly impressed by his looks and presence. Jonathan was well–known among Aldonia’s young business elite; even here in Coralis, his reputation had preceded him.
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Chapter 425
Peter, off to the side, frowned slightly.
“Wait… is the Thomas family trying to set up Jonathan and Ramona?” he muttered, almost to himself. Then he shot a worried glance at Niamh, instantly regretting it in case his words upset her.
But Niamh’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Everything was starting to
make sense.
Now she understood why Jonathan had been in Coralis on Valentine’s Day–and why he’d shown up at Ramona’s race that night.
So Sprague and Marigold had chosen Ramona as Jonathan’s new bride?
Niamh idly stroked her chin, thinking it over.
Peter had expected her to be hurt or angry at the prospect of Jonathan cozying up to Ramona. Instead, she was smiling, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
Truth was, the idea of Jonathan and Ramona together genuinely intrigued her.
If she remembered correctly, hadn’t Jonathan promised Marina that after his divorce, he’d make their relationship official?
But judging by the way Sprague and Marigold fawned over Ramona, they’d clearly decided the Quinns‘ adopted daughter was their dream daughter–in–law.
So where did that leave Marina?
If, one day, Jonathan really did marry Ramona…
Niamh couldn’t help but imagine Marina’s reaction–and honestly, just picturing it was deeply satisfying.
She was still lost in this mental image of Ramona upstaging Marina when Jonathan suddenly turned and caught her eye across the room.
His face, usually so cold, broke into a sly, wicked smile the instant their gazes met.
The meaning behind the smile was all too obvious.
Niamh understood perfectly: with Jonathan’s ego, he’d almost certainly convinced himself she was glaring at them out of jealousy
She quickly looked away–just as she saw Hayes and Carlotta making their way toward her.
Chapter 427
