Almost instinctively, Stanford grabbed Phoebe’s waist and held her in his arms.
The next second, he took the initiative and kissed her.
His embrace was firm and warm. His body temperature passed through the clothes and warmed up her skin and heart.
Feeling his kiss and hug, Phoebe felt so happy and sure.
This man used to be untouchable and lofty, but now, he belonged to her entirely.
He was hers.
…
The day of making a proposal to the Frasers’ was approaching.
In the past few days, Ernest had almost arranged everything for the wedding. He also prepared the betrothal presents in person.
Everything was done. They counted days to go to the Fraser Mansion.
From time to time, Florence would look at her wedding dress and the bridegroom’s suit in the cloakroom.
It was a black suit. However, one could see from the details that this suit was a match for the wedding dress.
The design was quite unique.
However, Florence realized that she had done nothing for Ernest, but he had done so many things for her.
Florence thought for a while. Looking at Ernest’s suit, she planned to get him a set of cuff-links.
It would be a fine touch to the outfit.
Hence, she went to see the Eighth Elder.
Although Ernest had arranged almost everything for the wedding, the Eighth Elder was also responsible for many details. After all, the wedding was a complicated mission.
Florence wanted to get Ernest the cuff-links, so she should go to Elder Kevin.
After a few days, Florence and Kevin had gotten to know each other better. She found that he was indeed unique in the complicated Turner family.
The Seventh Elder Keenan didn’t care about anything. Unlike him, Kevin was gentle, polite, and hard working. He was always kind to others.
He never put on airs as an elder in the family. He was pretty easygoing.
Florence felt quite comfortable after getting along with him for a few days.
When she arrived at the door of Kevin’s room, she saw the door was half-opened.
She realized that someone was in there.
Feeling quite delighted, Florence didn’t think she had come in vain.
When she was about to knock on the door, she heard a smashing sound from the inside. It seemed something made of glass was smashed onto the floor.
She wondered what had happened.
In confusion, she heard a man speaking in an ironic room before she could take a look.
“Kevin, you are just a loser. Can’t you even hold the glass when pouring wine?”
“He’s indeed a useless loser.”
The two men echoed each other and spoke sarcastic words.
Florence was so surprised. She had never expected that the respected Eighth Elder could be mocked by others in that way.
Who were so bold?
In confusion, she walked closer and peeped into the room from the crack.
The Fourth Elder and the Fifth Elder were sitting at the bar counter. There was a broken wine glass under their feet. The wine was scattered everywhere.
The two elders looked at Kevin in disdain without hiding their attitude. Kevin was holding a tray, on which there was another glass of wine.
He was standing stiffly with a livid look. Gripping the tray tightly, he seemed to try his best to suppress his anger.
The Fourth Elder added, “Your branch is becoming weaker and weaker. You can’t do any work for the family. A bunch of spongers. It can go on like this. You didn’t do enough as the Eighth Elder in this family. Kevin, why don’t you give up the elder’s position directly? You’ll embarrass yourself if you’re kicked out.”
The words poked on Kevin’s sore spot mercilessly. His face got paler. Pressing his lips, he kept silent.
His tightened body showed that his tolerance had reached its edge.
Florence watched from afar, but she still could feel how aggrieved and angry Kevin was feeling.
No one could face such insult peacefully. However, it seemed that Kevin was in a disadvantageous situation, as even didn’t have the confidence to retort.
The Fifth Elder smiled ironically and continued to insult him. “I agree with you, brother. Kevin, you should know yourself better. You are a complete loser. You can’t just occupy the position of the Eighth Elder. You see, like the treasure vault in our family, besides Keenan who clearly refused to enter, all the other elders are allow to enter it. The vault is the most critical confidentiality in our Turner family. You are an elder, but you couldn’t get in. Obviously, you are isolated from us. Do you know what the servants are saying? Even the servants look down on you.”
Kevin gripped the tray more tightly and couldn’t help trembling.
Their words were like daggers stabbing into his heart.
He was an elder, and he was supposed to be proud. But all those words were insults that stomped his dignity.
“Forget it. For a man like you, you’ll just cling to the seat of the Eighth Elder shamelessly.”
The Fifth Elder sneered. Reaching out his hand, he beckoned Kevin as if he was beckoning a servant, but even more rudely.
“Give me the wine. Get brother another glass. Besides, clean up the shit on the ground. So dirty.”
Kevin was just standing there without moving.
They insulted him and asked him to do things as if he were a servant..
He had no dignity in front of them.
His tensed-up body was shuddering with rage. He was about to lose it.
However, if he blew up, he would just be more miserable later.
“Why are you still standing there? You dare to disobey now?”
The Fifth Elder pounded on the bar counter with a darkened face.
It seemed he would take the chance to make a fuss.
Watching the scene, Florence’s brows were knitted. She had never expected that the Eighth Elder was mistreated in such a way.
Florence felt sorry for him, thinking of how they got along in the past few days and Kevin’s kindness and patience. How could such a nice man be treated by those wicked people in this way?
In anger, she pushed the door open with her penetrating gaze.
She used much strength, so the door bounced back from the wall behind it, letting out a big bang.
Instantly, all three men’s attention was distracted.
“What the fuck! How dare you…” the Fifth Elder snapped.
Before he finished his words, he saw Florence come in. In a surprise, he had to swallow back his curse.
Instantly, he reacted and smiled. He said, “Oh, it’s you, Flory. Why are you here? Please come on in.”