The auction, champagne, beautiful women, gourmet food, and lively music created an atmosphere where everyone felt relaxed. Even the commotion Darnell had caused earlier also dissipated in such a harmonious setting.
No one thought about life-and-death crises or sensed any danger at the venue. Even Abbigail let her guard down a bit.
So when Darnell caught the black venomous snake, it not only made Abbigail break out in a cold sweat but also froze Areli and others in place.
Seeing the snake’s fangs, everyone sensed the threat of death. The entire venue fell silent as David and his team rushed over.
A dozen security guards immediately drew their batons, sweating as they approached the scene cautiously.
“Get me a wine bottle,” Darnell said, holding the snake between his fingers. He turned to Areli and the others, adding, “Preferably one with wine in it.”
A waiter quickly brought a bottle of wine and opened it as Darnell instructed.
Everyone watched intently as Darnell’s fingers held the snake. They worried that he might lose his grip or that the snake might be too aggressive and escape.
At that moment, Mrs. Pasmore and the elderly woman came over to shield Abbigail from harm.
Abbigail’s hands and feet were still cold.
Darnell took a swig from the bottle and drew a long breath contentedly. Areli asked in a low voice, “What are you doing?”
Darnell smiled leisurely, “Just calming my nerves.”
The tense atmosphere eased significantly, and smiles appeared on some faces.
Then, under Areli’s watchful eye, Darnell carefully placed the snake into the wine bottle, sealed it with a cork, and added a cover. He even poked a small hole for air with a toothpick.
Everyone saw the snake fall into the wine. It lay still at first, then twisted slightly as if regaining its senses.
Soon after, they witnessed an astonishing scene-the snake began to thrash wildly in the wine, darting around and repeatedly striking at the glass.
Several female guests recoiled in fear. Even Lisa, who was watching with interest, shuddered at how fierce the snake was.
“How did a snake get here?” David shouted at security upon realizing how close they came to disaster with someone like Abbigail involved.
“Team One, check the surveillance footage to see if the snake slipped in from outside or if someone brought it in. Team Two, search the entire venue for more snakes and protect our guests.”
With David’s orders, over twenty security personnel and his personal bodyguards turned on bright lights to search for snakes or suspicious individuals in hopes of calming guests’ nerves.
However, this incident had already left people uneasy. Many were reluctant to stand on the grass anymore.
At this point, several bodyguards from the Pasmore family arrived and dispersed onlookers so as to eliminate any potential danger to Abbigail.
Abbigail regained her composure and hugged Darnell tightly. “Handsome, thank you for saving me again.”
She pressed her chest against him and whispered in his ear mischievously, “Here’s a little reward for you.”
“If it’s not enough, you can grab a few times. I won’t mind. Compared to one’s life chastity is not that important.”
Abbigail teased Darnell further, “But your fierce girlfriend might kill you.”
When saying these things, she lowered her voice, not letting Areli hear.
Even so, Areli was annoyed seeing the two being intimate, but when she remembered that Abigail had just been in danger moments ago, she suppressed some of her displeasure.
Consider it easing her shock-Areli was treating Darnell like an object.
Darnell glanced at Areli’s gloomy face and pulled away from Abbigail with a bitter smile. “Miss Cornish, you’re welcome. It was nothing.”
Then he added, “But you should be careful. This poisonous snake was definitely not an accident. Before it bit you, I heard a whistle.”
Abbigail’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. “Someone controlling it?”
“Yes.” Darnell nodded affirmatively.
“Besides, it’s winter now. This snake shouldn’t be here. Moreover, with all the alcohol tonight, snakes would normally stay far away. How would it get here?”
“So it must be controlled by someone. But snakes can’t talk, so we can’t identify the culprit.”
“Young man, well done, and good analysis.”
At this moment, Mrs. Pasmore and the old woman approached. Having just heard Darnell’s analysis, she showed a hint of approval on her face.
“I’m Michelle Pasmore, Abbigail’s godmother. Thank you forsaving Abbigail. If you hadn’t caught that snake in time, I’m afraid Abbigail would have suffered. Young man, the Pasmore family owes you a favor.”
Although she hadn’t personally witnessed the dangerous scene, she knew about the peril from others’ descriptions, so she was genuinely grateful to Darnell.
The old woman also widened her eyes, scrutinizing Darnell up close, as well as the wine bottle in his hand containing the poisonous snake.
There was a hint of admiration in the old woman’s eyes.
She believed she could kill a poisonous snake with one hand, but she wasn’t entirely confident she could pinch it like Darnell had, without taking its life.
When Areli saw Michelle approach, she hesitated for a moment, but finally called out, “Michelle.”
She saw Areli and looked happy. “Areli? You’ve grown more and more beautiful.”
“Michelle, you flatter me.”
Areli smiled lightly, “How are you and Thomas doing?”
“Good, good!”
Michelle clearly knew Areli, and they seemed to have a good relationship. “It’s been a long time since we met. You haven’t visited the Pasmore family in ages.”
“Thomas mentions you often, saying you’re much more sensible than Abbigail. I heard you’ve been the general manager in Spectrum Pharmaceuticals for half a year now, but you haven’t come to see us.”
“You can be angry with Abbigail, but don’t drag us into it.”
Abbigail pouted slightly but didn’t say anything.
Areli responded with a smile, “Michelle, you’re right. I was being petty. I’ll come visit you often from now on.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that. In the future, when I call you over, you can’t refuse.”
Michelle exchanged a few more words with Areli, then turned her gaze to Darnell. “Young man, thank you again for tonight.”
“Mrs. Pasmore, you’re too kind.”
As Michelle and the old woman approached, Darnell moved a bit away from Abbigail, then spoke politely, “It was nothing. No need for thanks. Besides, Miss Cornish and I are friends. When a friend is in trouble, I naturally help.”
“For you, it was a simple action. For Abbigail, it was life or death.”
Michelle stood in front of Darnell, her expression very friendly. “You’re not asking for rewards, but we can’t be ungrateful.”
“Don’t call me Mrs. Pasmore anymore. Just call me Michelle. If you need any help in the future, feel free to come to the Pasmore family to find me.”
Abbigail clapped her hands happily.
Darnell hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed, “Thank you, Michelle.”
“Good.”
Michelle patted Darnell’s shoulder, then spoke softly, “I like straightforward children the most.”
“You can come to the Pasmore family to visit anytime. I’m good at cooking. I can cook you anything you want if you tell me in advance you’re coming to visit me.”
“Abbigail will also stay in Whiteville for a while, so you two can spend some time together.”
Clearly, she was trying to play matchmaker for Abbigail.
Darnell didn’t hesitate and nodded with a smile. “Alright, I’ll definitely visit when I have time.”
“Good.”
Michelle scanned the room and then looked at Darnell with a smile. “After what happened tonight, everyone is on edge.”
“The auction will have to be rescheduled. I won’t let Abbigail remain in danger. Take your time chatting. I’ll take Abbigail back. If anything comes up, we’ll be in touch by phone.”
With that, she had the old woman and bodyguards escort Abbigail away. The surrounding guests also began to leave one after another. The gathering was ruined.
David was helpless, knowing he would be scolded by his father, but he also understood that if a guest was harmed, he would be in greater trouble.
Abbigail was reluctant to leave but knew she had to go. No one could tell if the attacker had more tricks up their sleeve, and she couldn’t let her godmother worry.
So while walking with the bodyguards, she waved at Darnell, saying, “Handsome, stay in touch, okay?”
She also glanced at Areli, her face showing a hint of mischief. “And remember, don’t tell Areli what we just talked about.”
Darnell was startled, then called out, “You can’t do this! You’ll get me killed!”
Abbigail didn’t actually tell him anything.
Sure enough, Areli walked up, her face cold.
“Let’s go. Once we get in the car, tell me what she said to you.”