Chapter 71
Wallace stood up, and his authoritative gaze swept across the room.
The youngsters could feel their legs trembling under the weight of his stare.
Among the elders, Wallace was notorious for his temper. Before, a young man became infatuated with a maid from the Wentworth family, and after a few days of pestering, he took her out for drinks.
Nothing happened beyond that, but when Wallace found out, he broke the man’s leg on the spot without a second thought.
Seeing Wallace about to lose his temper made everyone uneasy. They feared Andrew. for his wild and unpredictable behavior. However, they feared Wallace because he was strict, impartial, and unforgiving.
Anyone with a questionable character barely dared to speak in his presence.
Wallace scanned the room again before saying sternly, “There’s something I need to address today.”
Andrew set down his glass from a distance, and his sharp eyes narrowed as he
watched the scene unfold.
His suspicions were confirmed. Wallace was going to take this opportunity to make their relationship public.
Andrew had originally brought Linda to the event as a way to push back against Wallace, but after everything that had happened, including the incident by the lake, his frustration had grown, and now he didn’t want to deal with any of it.
Everyone listened attentively.
Wallace pulled Melina forward. “This is Melina, the one I care about the most. She’s kind–hearted and easygoing, the type who would never complain, even when wronged. But that doesn’t give anyone the right to insult or belittle her!
“From today onward, I don’t want to hear a bad word about her from anyone in this
room!
“And if any of you are foolish enough to think you can bully her behind my back, you’re welcome to try!”
Melina stood frozen beside Wallace. No one had ever defended her so openly, in
front of such a crowd.
For the first time, someone had stood up for her, boldly and without hesitation, making it clear that no one would be allowed to hurt her.
At that moment, Melina felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond. She had no idea what she had done to Wallace to treat her so well,
After Wallace finished speaking, his commanding gaze swept across the crowd once
more.
Sarah was so scared that she shrank back into the farthest corner. She had tried fo bully Melina earlier, though it hadn’t gone as planned, but still, the fear of having her leg broken loomed large.
The Wentworths were all scary.
It wasn’t only Sarah who was rattled; everyone else was just as stunned,
Word had spread that Andrew hadn’t immediately rescued Melina when she fell into the water, and Wallace had slapped him.
Not many had witnessed that moment, but now, everyone knew just how seriously Wallace took this.
His public declaration and open defense of Melina made it clear that she was his most cherished grandchild, and even Andrew hadn’t received this care.
So, she wasn’t a maid? Then why hadn’t Andrew ever clarified that?
A young woman living in Oakread was not a maid. There was only one obvious explanation: it had to be Wallace’s intention to match Melina with Andrew.
Was Melina the future granddaughter–in–law of the Wentworth family?
The crowd couldn’t help but cast furtive glances toward Andrew, then back at Linda.
Andrew’s expression was hard to read. It was a mixture of surprise and frustration,” like something he had been certain of was now being challenged, leaving him slightly bewildered.
He had been expecting his grandfather to announce his relationship with Melina. Melina had purposely let Wallace know she had been kicked out to push their relationship to be made public.
Given Wallace’s protectiveness of her, it was only a matter of time before he made.
that announcement.
Today seemed like the perfect opportunity. So, why hadn’t Wallace mentioned it?
Linda, on the other hand, was deathly pale as though she might faint at any moment.
3/2
The crowd murmured among themselves.
Andrew hadn’t been seen with any other woman for years except for Linda, who had always held a special position.
Yet Andrew had never shown that he was in love with Linda.
Now, with Melina in the picture, Linda’s standing was clearly under fire.
