CHAPTER 698 THE FEUD (3) THE STATE BANQUET

Chapter 698 The Feud (3) The State Banquet

At the Balderston manor, Hannah found Melvin didn't get back home last night. She thought the battle

was expected any day now. She felt a bit nervous. Nobody knew what would happen next. She stroked

her belly softly. She could perceive the fetal movement from time to time since it occurred for the first

time yesterday. She found that fetal movement occurred more frequently if she was nervous. She

wondered whether the baby was active or sensitive. She didn't want her baby to go through hardships

so early before birth.

At lunchtime, Hannah was dining by herself when Melvin came suddenly. She continued to dine,

without a word. Melvin sat across the table, took up the knife and fork, and ate slowly. He ate a little as

if he had no appetite.

"Have no questions?" Melvin began.

"I don't want to ask." Said Hannah.

"Have no confidence in me?" Melvin laughed.

"No, I just don't want to get worried."

"Are you worrying about me?"

Hannah didn't answer.

"Worry about that you might die with me," Melvin added.

Hannah said nothing.

"Oscar is now going shopping with Lillian."

Hannah kept on eating after a second's pause, saying nothing.

"Oscar bought oranges for her, accompanied her, and carried bags for her," continued Melvin.

Hannah still kept on eating, without a word.

"Has he done something like this for you?" Melvin asked. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"What do you mean?" Hannah swallowed the food, wiped her lips, and asked.

"I mean, he doesn't deserve you," Melvin said earnestly.

Hannah laughed, "Beggars cannot be choosers. Flirtation sometimes cannot be avoided, as he has to

gain the trust of the Collins family. And so do I."

Melvin looked a bit displeased.

"Under such a situation, I can't make any demands on him." Hannah looked at Melvin, and said, "I'll not

blame him, even if he does something sorry to me."

"It's hard to drive a wedge between you and Oscar." Melvin laughed deprecatingly.

"You've made it," said Hannah.

Melvin frowned.

"I have an indifferent attitude to him, for I have no expectations for our future. And our love has been

frittered away." Hannah said restfully.

Melvin kept watching her, trying to find out her real ideas in her indifferent expression. Yet he didn't

have much time to think about her. He put down his knife and fork, probably with only one or two bites

of the whole meal. Then he said, "Take care, and don't get dead."

Hannah felt a bit uneasy.

"I mean, don't play tricks. If you try to get away, I'll kill you then." Melvin added. He warned Hannah not

to try to flee the house when he was out. She couldn't escape, actually.

Hannah didn't respond.

Melvin went away directly without waiting for Hannah's answer, seemingly hurried.

Hannah didn't know why he came back suddenly and got out hurriedly just after a few words. She

wanted no bites more. She didn't know what would happen next. She just hoped to live at last.

It was 6 p. m., at the state banquet of Northfield. The luxurious dining hall was heavily guarded, with

the massed ranks of guards, showing dignity and mystery. The dining hall was bustling with noise, with

many dignitaries sitting at the big tables. Before the dinner, everyone talked and laughed easily,

showing a lively and peaceful atmosphere.

The Balderston family and the Collins family were always the latest to come, as a matter of routine. All

other guests came early and waited, while the two families arrived a bit late.

Outside the dining hall, Rowan, together with Oscar and Mathew, were in the car. Rowan didn't let

Sarah come with him because of the danger.

The guards opened the doors in humble reverence. Rowan asked Oscar before he got out of the car,

"Do you wear a bulletproof vest?"

"No." Answered Oscar.

Rowan nodded, tapped Oscar on the shoulder, and got out first. Oscar followed him.

Everybody needed to go through a strict security check before entering the dining hall, except for

Rowan. So, Oscar didn't know whether Rowan wore a bulletproof vest or not.

Then Oscar got into the hall, following Rowan. At that moment, Melvin also arrived, with his mother.

Melvin's father died because of illness long ago. He had no brothers or sisters, only his mother. Mrs

Balderston retired from the forefront, and it was Melvin who handled the family affairs. His mother only

made a public appearance at banquets, just as this evening.

Rowan saw Mrs Balderston and greeted her, "Mrs Balderston, long time no see."

"Mr Collins, good evening." She still had a queenly carriage at the age of over 60.

After the usual polite small talk, they entered the hall together. The people there stopped their talking

immediately and stood up spontaneously to welcome them. That was habitual to them. They got to the

distinguished table and sat down, stared at by all the others.

And others then sat down, not talking any more. They watched the two families carefully and dared not

to do anything else.

"Please make yourselves at home for this rare get-together, and relax," Rowan spoke, loudly.

Then Mrs Balderston also began, "Thank you for all your hard work for Northfield. Just relax! This meal

is for everybody here."

Others then echoed them after their speech. Some people in higher official positions spoke up a few

words, and the atmosphere became lively soon.

Oscar stood behind Rowan, actually, he was unqualified for a seat. And behind Melvin and Mrs

Balderston were their private bodyguards.

"Oh, Mrs Balderston, I'd like to introduce a young man to you." Rowan suddenly mentioned Oscar

when he was talking with her.