Peter Vale frowned slightly.For some reason, he felt personally attacked.
After all, Vickey word of Damien using winter to get the heir title of his family wasn't that what he did with vera the daughter of the Quinn family.Still, he wisely kept his mouth shut.
Across the hall, Maria caught Summer's gaze and gave her a mocking smile.
Trying to mock me earlier?Look at yourself now, idiot your sister has been easy road to success has been cut off.
Maria lowered her eyes, hiding her amusement.
"October 1st Unity Holiday The one day of the year when the entire world slowed down.
Governments closed Businesses shut their doors.Even presidents, prime ministers, military commanders, and influential figures put aside work to spend time with family and friends." Sophia said
Everyone looked at her.
"A day meant for family and friends."
Her voice remained soft."So why are we using business to tear ourselves apart?"
The hall became quiet.
Sophia smiled gently before walking toward the kitchen.
Several minutes later, she returned carrying a tray.
The rich fragrance of herbs immediately filled the room.
She personally poured tea for everyone before serving her grandparents first.
"I recently learned how to brew herbal tea."
Sophia smiled.
"It helps reduce stress, headaches, and fatigue."
"It also helps people calm down."
She lowered her head slightly.
"I worry about Grandpa, Grandma, my parents, and everyone else."
"I'm still in high school, so there isn't much I can do learning small things like this is the best way I can help."
Grandma Quinn raised an eyebrow.
She lifted the teacup.
The moment she took a sip, her eyes brightened.
Her gaze immediately landed on the tea leaves resting inside the small tea bag.
"Oh?"
She took another sip.
Then another.
A smile appeared on her face.
"Sophia has always been the one who gives me the least headache."
Grandma Quinn sighed dramatically.
"This tea is from the Ancient Tea Clan, isn't it?"
Sophia nodded.
"When I was young, I used to sneak away just to drink their tea."Grandma Quinn laughed."I've tasted countless herbal blends throughout my life to act elegant that I started liking it ."
"Their brewing methods are unique their tea leaves are unique even learning a single one of their techniques is incredibly difficult I use to beat the heir now the patriarch of that clan to teach me but I lack patience."
Her eyes softened with amusement
"The fact that you managed to obtain their tea and learn how to brew it properly without violence is interesting."
Grandma Quinn beckoned.
"Come here, dear."
Sophia obediently walked over.
"Move."Grandpa Quinn suddenly kicked Luis's leg.
"Grandpa."Luis looked offended.
"Move."
Luis pouted dramatically before getting up.
"So cruel."
He walked back toward his parents' couch.
Sophia took his place between the elderly couple.
A personal servant stepped forward carrying a velvet jewelry box.
The box alone looked valuable enough to be considered a treasure.
Grandma Quinn took it and handed it directly to Sophia.
"Take it."
The hall fell silent.
Peter Vale immediately sat up straighter.
Good.
Very good.
At least Sophia knows how to win favor.
Sophia accepted the gift respectfully.
"If Grandma likes it, I can stay with Grandma and prepare tea whenever you want."
Her smile remained gentle but she had already use this to get access.
Grandpa Quinn immediately laughed.
"Good girl I was just about to ask at least someone is willing to keep your grandmother company without giving me headaches."
Grandma Quinn waved a hand casually.
"Take Maria's gift to the treasure vault."
The servant immediately obeyed.
The painting Maria had spent a fortune acquiring was carried away.
Grandma Quinn didn't even glance at it again.
Maria's fingers tightened around her dress.
Her face remained composed.
But her clenched fists revealed everything.
Ava calmly sipped her tea.
Across from her, Luis leaned slightly closer.
His expression remained warm and harmless.
His eyes did not.
"Since when did the Vale family have enough money and connections to approach the Ancient Tea Clan?"
Luis whispered.
"Not only approach them."
"They even managed to get tea leaves and brewing lessons."
His smile widened.
"Interesting."
Ava took another sip.
"Of course it wasn't Uncle Peter."
Her voice was equally quiet.
"The man would rather enjoy the fruit than plant the tree."
Luis nearly laughed.
Ava continued.
"He'd probably slap Sophia unconscious if she asked him for that kind of investment."
"Then Aunt Vera?"
Luis asked.
Ava shook her head.
"Aunt Vera might support the idea."
"But support and success are two different things."
She glanced toward Sophia.
"The real question is..."
Ava's lips curved.
"...why would the Ancient Tea Clan give them face?"
Luis paused.
Then his smile slowly widened.
The siblings exchanged a look.
Their eyes sparkled with identical curiosity.
And anticipation.
Because both of them knew one thing.
The Ancient Tea Clan was famous for many things.
Politeness zero percent
Pride hundred percent
Stubbornness Hundred percent
And refusing to bow to wealth or status billion percent
Which meant there was definitely a story here and if there was a story...there was drama.
Ava happily took another sip of tea.
Luis paused before suddenly chuckling.
"Oh, the tea just got hotter."
He lifted his cup and took a slow sip.
"Nothing beats listening to tea while drinking tea."
His eyes drifted toward Sophia.
"So it was that Aiden guy who helped her."
"Damn."
"Sophia really has that boy on a leash."
Luis shook his head dramatically.
"Playing hard to get too."
"If I were him..."
He paused.
"Actually, let me not finish that sentence."
Ava rolled her eyes and continued drinking her tea."Don't worry about AidenWhat I'm waiting for is seeing how much patience Adrian has before he snaps.sje out her cup down"That would be the real drama."
Luis immediately looked interested.
Ava rested her chin on one hand.
"Using connections to help Sophia contact the Ancient Tea ClanGetting tea leaves ,Learning some of their techniques and probably for free too."
She clicked her tongue.
"It doesn't seem like he used his family's influence Or maybe he did Who knows."
Ava's lips curved into a smile.
"But one thing I know for sure..."
"Sophia is playing with hell Not fire Hell."
Luis nearly laughed.
"Really I thought Sophia is the hell sweet angel day time demoiat night"
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"Adrian isn't the type to lose his temper at all someone who survived his crazy family to adult hood someone that doesn't show all his aced yet not killed despite him being killed, He's the type to smile while digging your grave."
"He'll play with her until she doesn't know whether she's winning or losing."
Luis thought about it for a second before nodding.
"Fair point Sophia isn't stupid either that is why she isn't close to him just enough to get favour done "
"Their relationship has always been weird."
"Close but not close."
"Friends but not friends."
"I know you like me but I don't know if I like you."
"Not strangers."
"Not lovers."
"He doesn't hate her."
"He doesn't like her."
"He isn't interested."
"But he isn't bored either."
Luis sighed dramatically.
"This is why I feel like doing something."
Ava immediately turned toward him.
"No."
Luis blinked.
"No?"
"No."
Ava pointed at him.
"Did you forget our family motto?"We watch the drama We don't become the drama."
Luis rolled his eyes
"That's Dad's motto I follow Mom's if the drama is too slow..Add fire."
Meanwhile, on the same second couch were Ava ,Luis Nathan and Emily are sitting.
Emily was quietly observing the battlefield while eating fruit.
"It seems Vera's side is winning this round."
Her tone was thoughtful.
Nathan nodded.
"Mm."
"Interesting."Emily smirked.
"Not as interesting as what we could be doing alone in a room right now."
Nathan immediately leaned closer.
He lowered his voice.
"Because I have several activities in mind."
Emily's smile widened.
"Oh?"
"Very educational activities."nathan looked completely serious."Private educational activities."
Luis froze.
Ava froze.
The siblings slowly turned toward their parents.
Then looked at each other.
Then gagged simultaneously.
"Disgusting."
"Absolutely disgusting."
They spoke at the same time.
Nathan simply pulled Emily closer.
Emily happily leaned against him.
The couple continued flirting like nobody else existed.
Ava and Luis look away some things were simply too traumatic to witness before lunch.
The butler entered quietly before stopping beside the entrance.
"Madam, Sir. The remaining guests have arrived."
The hall immediately became livelier.
The first group to enter was Grandma Quinn's younger sister, commonly called Second Grandma by the younger generation.
Beside her was her husband, Rafael
Following behind them were their children and grandchildren.
Amara, their eldest daughter, entered holding her four-month-old son while her husband Hugo Emmett walked beside her
The baby slept peacefully in her arms, completely unaware of the storm called family politics surrounding him.
The moment Diego, Vera, Thomas, and Nathan saw the child, they exchanged glances.
A single glance.
Then all four looked away.
But that glance alone already revealed what they were thinking.
What exactly was Amara planning?
The Emmett family had their own Unity Holiday gathering.
Yet she brought her son here.
Were they really bold enough to eye a share of the Quinn family's influence and resources?
No one voiced their thoughts aloud.
But everyone understood.
In families like theirs, every action carried meaning.
Every visit had a purpose.
Every smile hid an agenda.
Behind Amara came Second Grandma's youngest son, Otis.
His wife Lucy walked beside him .
Following them were their daughters, Isla and Maeve.
Isla was already attending university while Maeve had only recently entered high school.
However the people attracting the most attention weren't the girls.
It was the pair of identical eight-year-old boys following behind them.
Derick and Rhys.
Otis's illegitimate twin sons.
The hall became strangely quiet for a moment.
Everyone knew the rumors.
Or perhaps rumors was the wrong word.
Most people knew it was the truth.
Otis had forced Lucy to accept the twins as her own children.
Claiming it was for family unity.
Claiming it was for the children's future.
Claiming it was because Lucy had failed to give him a son.
Backed by his mother, he had continuously pressured her.
And Lucy—
whether from weakness, exhaustion, or a desire to save her marriage—
had agreed.
But that wasn't enough for Otis.
Now he wanted more.
He wanted legitimacy.
Not for Lucy.
Not for his daughters.
For his sons.
There were even whispers that he planned to restore the twins to their biological mother's care while simultaneously stripping Isla and Maeve of their legitimate status.
Turning them into adopted daughters making it seem Lucy had them before marrying him.
Turning the twins into the rightful heirs.
A ridiculous story.
A disgusting story.
Yet one frighteningly possible within powerful families.
The entire situation had become a source of endless gossip among the older generation.
Pathetic.
Cruel.
And unfortunately entertaining.
After them came another branch of the extended family.
Grandma Quinn's late brother's widow, Stephanie .
Her son Vance entered beside her together with his wife Esme.
Their daughter Alya followed behind.
Though engaged, her fiancé had not attended the gathering instead went to his family unlike Damien.
Their son Cal came last.
Having recently graduated, he had already begun working.
Second Grandma and Rafael took the sixth couch.
Amara, Hugo, and baby Aaron sat on the seventh.
Otis, Lucy, Isla, Maeve, Derick, and Rhys occupied the eighth.
Stephanie's family took the ninth.
The seating arrangement continued filling up one couch after another.
Then the doors opened once more.
Grandma Quinn's late best friend's family had arrived.
Bram Preston entered first.
The older man carried himself with the confidence of someone who had long been part of the Quinn family's inner circle.
Beside him walked his second wife, Freya.
Their son Micha followed behind them.
Micha was the same age as Ava.
Bram's first wife had passed away two years ago, and his remarriage had become one of the most discussed topics among their social circle yet Micha was already 18 he said the child belongs to his new wife last marriage but everyone knows it belongs to him.
The three settled onto the tenth couch.
Soon after, another group entered.
Ian.
The eldest son of Grandma Quinn's late best friend.
His wife Divine accompanied him.
Following behind were their children.
Eight-year-old Zoe and sixteen-year-old Liam.
The family took the eleventh couch.
Not long afterward, Ian's younger sister arrived.
Naomi.
Alone.
The atmosphere subtly shifted.
Naomi had become somewhat infamous among their social circles.
Her first husband had died only a year after their marriage.
Her second marriage lasted three years before ending in divorce.
Neither outcome had been particularly graceful.
What made matters worse was the fact that she had left her children with their father after the divorce.
A decision that many still criticized behind closed doors.
Naomi ignored the looks directed toward her.
As if already used to them.
She calmly walked toward the thirteenth couch and sat down alone.
The gathering was growing larger and larger.
One couch after another filled with relatives, allies, old friends, and people connected through decades of complicated relationships.
"Since everyone is here for the Unity Holiday, let's head to the dining room," Grandpa Quinn said calmly.
"Father, I thought your disciples were coming?" Diego asked.
Grandpa Quinn looked at him strangely.
"This Sunday is Unity Holiday. People spend time with their families. They're my disciples, not my family. Who would leave their own house to spend time at someone else's?" he replied.
Silence instantly fell over the hall.
Peter Vale, Damien, Bram Preston, Amara's husband Hugo, and the others who weren't Quinns by blood felt a subtle sting from those words.
Grandpa Quinn acted as if he hadn't noticed.
"Besides, Unity Holiday is about family. Monday through Sunday are still public holidays. Businesses will reopen tomorrow anyway."
He leisurely took a sip of tea before continuing.
"My students will come on Wednesday. By then, most of you should have returned to your own homes. I don't like crowds."
This time, even Grandma Quinn's relatives felt attacked.
Grandpa Quinn simply didn't care.
He stood up and offered his hand to his wife.
"Let's go eat."
Grandma Quinn placed her hand in his and rose gracefully.
She rested her head against her husband's shoulder, her shoulders trembling slightly with laughter.
Unfortunately, nobody behind her could see her expression.
Everyone assumed she was simply being affectionate.
The entire group moved toward the dining room.
The Quinn Family dining hall was large enough to host state banquets.
A long table crafted from dark polished wood stretched through the center of the room.
Crystal chandeliers hung overhead like stars frozen in place.
The walls combined modern luxury with old-world elegance, decorated with priceless paintings, carved panels, and artistic lighting that bathed the room in a warm golden glow.
Dozens of seats surrounded the table.
Servants moved silently, arranging dishes with practiced efficiency.
Everyone quickly found their places.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
For exactly three seconds.
Naomi suddenly sat down in Evenly's seat.
Crossing her legs elegantly, she smiled sweetly.
"I want to sit here. You don't mind, right?"
Without waiting for an answer, she turned toward Thomas.
"Mr. Thomas, you become more handsome every time I see you."
She lightly placed her hand over Thomas's.
Several people nearly choked.
Evenly smiled.
A very dangerous smile.
Thomas instantly felt a chill run down his spine.
"Aunt Naomi."
Maria suddenly stood up holding a wine bottle.
"Let me give you a toast."
She poured wine into two crystal glasses before offering one to Naomi.
"No thank you," Naomi replied.
Then she noticed the label on the bottle.
It was an extremely expensive vintage wine.
Her eyes immediately brightened.
Naomi reached for the glass.
At that exact moment Maria's wrist tilted.
The two glasses slipped.
Splash!
Dark red wine poured directly onto Naomi's dress.
"Ahhh!"
Naomi jumped to her feet screaming.
The expensive dress was instantly stained.
Maria gasped dramatically.
"Oops."
She blinked innocently.
"My bad, I'm still tired from the flight back from the Capital."
She smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, Aunt Naomi."
Then she calmly sat back down.
"You little brat!" Naomi shrieked.
The entire dining room fell silent.
Thomas slowly looked up.
His expression was cold.
"She's a child."
His voice was calm.
"Do you have a problem with my daughter?"
Naomi's face stiffened.
She immediately suppressed her anger.
"Brother Thomas, you've misunderstood."
She lowered her head shyly.
"I was only shocked."
Her voice turned sweet and delicate.
Sweet enough to make half the table lose their appetite.
She tried stepping closer to Thomas again.
Unfortunately—
Evenly casually stretched out her foot beneath the table.
Naomi didn't see it.
"Ah!"
She stumbled forward.
Thud!
The entire dining room watched as Naomi nearly fell face-first onto the floor.
Evenly calmly picked dust her hand.
"Oh my."
She smiled gently.
"Careful, Naomi."
"At your age, falling can be dangerous.
The room became deathly quiet.
Luis lowered his head.
Ava covered her mouth.
The siblings' shoulders shook violently.
They were trying very, very hard not to laugh.
And failing miserably.