“Stay here for a few more days, let me get closer to you,” Queena said with a kind smile towards Sylvia. “The Hipps family and you are destined to meet! It’s the result of good fortune from several lifetimes that brought you and Mr. Maskelyne together.”
The Hipps family had turned their misfortune into fortune, although they hadn’t fully regained their former glory, being acquitted was still cause for celebration.
Just then, a handsome man walked over and immediately caught the attention of many people. The man smiled at Sylvia and introduced himself as Joseph Henson, Mr. Hipps’ friend who came specifically to congratulate him on his release from prison.
Today’s welcome party for Clare not only included members of the Hipps family but also some friends he made in Aettosa; Joseph was one of them.
Sylvia turned around to look at the man and raised an eyebrow. “Hello there. Is there something I can help you with?”
Joseph was taken aback by her cold response; he didn’t expect such a reaction from a woman when approached by an attractive man like himself.
However, he quickly regained his composure and said. “I heard that Mr. Hipps has a beautiful guest staying with him today who is also known as S – the racing champion? I’m actually your fan; I watch every race even though you always wear your helmet during them so I never knew how beautiful you were until now.”
Sylvia remained indifferent despite his flattery. “I see… Is there anything else?”
Joseph was surprised that Sylvia wasn’t more excited about his offer after revealing his identity as someone who owned a record company looking for talented singers or actors to promote.
“If singing isn’t your thing,” he continued trying another approach,”you could try acting instead since I know some producers and directors who could use someone like yourself in their projects.”
He didn’t think much of her rejection since she seemed inexperienced in worldly matters compared to other women he had met before; besides, what did it matter if she rejected him anyway? She was just another pretty face among many others out there – nothing special about her except maybe her looks which could be used as leverage later on if needed when dealing with members of the wealthy Hipps family sisters whom he really wanted to impress by building relationships with them through Clare’s connections.
He heard that the two sisters want to enter the entertainment industry and form a group, which was possible.
So this time, Niamh asked him for a small favor, and he immediately agreed.
As long as he could influence this woman and make her listen to him…
He thought about it and continued, “Miss Andrews, why don’t we go somewhere private to talk? Can we take a walk and talk? After all, there are too many people here and it’s too noisy.”
After speaking, he continued to smile gently on his face, looking harmless.
Sylvia glanced at Joseph and showed a relaxed and sweet expression like a naive girl.
She opened her lips lightly. “Sure. Why don’t we take a walk in the garden outside? The air is good there and the scenery is nice. You go ahead there first; I’ll be there soon.”
Upon hearing Sylvia’s answer, Joseph nodded contentedly. “Okay then. I’ll wait for you over there; make sure you come.”
It was just what he expected so he felt pretty good about it.
Meanwhile in the corner of the wall behind them, Chaya was pulling Niamh towards a man saying, “Cousin, haven’t you always wanted to meet beautiful women? We’ll introduce one to you.”
Corey Hipps didn’t bother with these two cousins who suddenly came out so enthusiastically; He also called Clare uncle but their relationship wasn’t particularly close usually either way since losing his girlfriend recently made him unhappy.
Chaya heard about this today so she took advantage of it right away..
Corey was annoyed now; frowning slightly while looking at both sides being held by his arms by these two sisters without any politeness. “Let go! I’m not interested in any beautiful women. If you don’t want me making things ugly then let me go!”
Chaya was frightened by Corey’s eyesight but quickly withdrew her hand. “I just thought your mood wasn’t great so I wanted help.”
Corey didn’t care much for her response as his eyes searched around but couldn’t see Clare anywhere nearby. So he casually asked Chaya, “Have you seen Uncle Clare?”
Chaya smiled,”I saw Uncle Clare heading towards garden earlier should be over that direction.”
Without thinking too much more than that , Corey turned around swiftly walking toward where she pointed out before disappearing from sight .
Watching his back disappear into distance, a cold sneer appeared on Chaya’s lips .
“Let’s follow them.”
But after hesitating for awhile, Niamh said, “Maybe we shouldn’t follow them.”
After all, even though it was a good plan, wasn’t it a bit too much to go this far?
In the garden at that moment, Sylvia was talking to Joseph. “Mr. Henson, look up at the sky!”
Joseph instinctively looked up and then fell to the ground with a thud! A handkerchief with a strong smell of chloroform was suddenly pressed against his face.
He was stunned and gradually lost consciousness until he closed his eyes completely.
The two sisters Niamh and Niamh followed behind their brother Corey quietly. They saw Sylvia standing alone under a big tree as if she were admiring the scenery.
But where was Joseph? Where did he go?
Why is there only Sylvia here?
Niamh had an uneasy feeling in her heart but forced herself to remain calm. “Chaya, didn’t you say you found famous Mr. Henson? Where is he?”
Chaya also felt confused. “Maybe he hasn’t arrived yet?”
“Should we split up and look for him?” Niamh said as she headed towards another direction.
Chaya had no choice but to go in another direction.
As Niamh walked absent-mindedly lost in thought, she wondered if this plan would fail or if something went wrong?
Just as she thought about this, someone tapped her shoulder from behind saying. “Miss Hipps.”
She turned around only for someone to cover her mouth with a handkerchief making her panic-stricken; She tried resisting but could only make muffled sounds.
She felt herself being dragged by one powerful arm into somewhere dark until finally closing both eyes shut tightly.
Sylvia glanced at unconscious Niamh before kicking her foot lightly without any sympathy towards Jasper who just knocked out both of them earlier. “Put them together.”
Jasper immediately understood what she meant and threw them into some nearby bushes while stacking them on top of each other which looked quite intimate; She then took out two pills from her bag and stuffed one into each person’s mouth before leaving quickly since they heard footsteps approaching – it turned out that it was none other than siblings Corey and Chaya walking over together!
Sylvia chuckled softly when seeing the siblings not too far away; She gestured Jasper who immediately hid himself away while Sylvia crouched down low before quickly leaving the area altogether.
Jasper whispered softly asking. “Miss Andrews, what did you give them?”
“Exciting medicine,” Sylvia grinned wickedly. “If I hadn’t intervened, they would be fighting in the wild with a stranger now.”
Luckily, she always carried various drugs in her bag and finally put them to use.
“After swallowing the last two pills, they will wake up quickly and become excited. But after venting out their energy, there won’t be any negative effects.”
Jasper clicked his tongue twice. “They brought this upon themselves.”
By now, they had hidden in a secluded corner and were waiting quietly.
The drugs were taking effect but it would take one or two minutes before they fully woke up. Then they would start…
This pair of lovers wanted to frame her but she had turned the tables on them. It was impossible not to feel satisfied about it. Sylvia took one last glance at Joseph and Niamh hiding in the bushes before turning around and leaving. “Let’s go back to the hall.”
Meanwhile, Queena and Old Mr. Hipps were searching everywhere for Sylvia while Cael was looking for his two daughters, but to no avail.
Niamh and Corey searched around but Corey was getting impatient. “You said Clare was in the garden but why didn’t I see him?”
“I don’t know either; maybe he went back to the hall again,” Chaya laughed nervously. She originally wanted Corey to catch Joseph with Sylvia so that he could report back to Queena… and let everyone know… but why couldn’t she find them? Even Niamh herself disappeared by now.
“Forget it; let’s just go back to the hall,” said Corey as he turned around towards it.
Chaya could only follow helplessly behind him until they entered into the hall where Clare greeted them. “Have you seen Niamh or Miss Andrews? And what about Joseph? The family banquet is about to begin.”
When he saw Clare smile at him, Corey smiled back immediately. “Uncle!”
Clare nodded his head. “Corey! You graduated from college recently right? What are your plans for your future?”
“I want join military service,” replied Corey as he explained his intentions further. “Uncle can I follow you?”
“I don’t know if I can return my original position yet,” Clare responded kindly while also considering Corey’s request seriously. “If you want join Air Force Department, then I can give my former subordinates a call.” He always cared deeply for younger generations’ future plans after all!
“Thank you, Uncle,” Corey nodded happily. “Shall we go find Niamh together now?”
“Sure, let’s go!” Clare said as she walked out. Niamh looked a little jealous of Corey, who was just a boy and yet could win the favor of Uncle and even receive his care.
Thinking this way in her heart, she had to follow the footsteps of the two again.
As they walked, Niamh led them towards where Joseph and Sylvia were arranged to be.