Chapter 7 The Trick

"Darren, your nephew here is being a real piece of work, isn't he? But hey, don't let it ruffle your feathers." William attempted to soothe, his tone laced with fear of setting Darren off.

"Discipline's not exactly his strong suit. Makes you wonder how our family's name will fare. Perhaps he needs a little lesson from someone?" Darren's voice was as smooth as silk, but it sent shivers down everyone's spine, especially William, who knew firsthand the lengths Darren could go to. In his younger days, Darren had a reputation for being ruthless.

If Eric got caught in Darren's crosshairs, there would be no telling what could happen.

"Darren, I shouldn't bother you with such trifles. You're a busy man," William said, his frustration evident before turning his ire on Eric. "You! Three hours of kneeling in the basement, and no dinner tonight!"

"Dad!"

Eric protested, but William waved a servant over, commanding, "Take him away!"

"Darren, please, come inside." William beckoned Darren with a forced smile on his face.

The Briggs family was renowned for their wealth in Fledo. William usually strutted around like a peacock, paying little heed to others. But now, he was bending over backward for Darren. No one dared to speak against it.

Meanwhile, Verena hung back, looking at the towering figure of Darren. He stood head and shoulders above the rest, his presence incongruous in this setting.

Verena's gut screamed danger.

The Briggs family's mansion resembled a palace, opulent in every detail. Even the dining hall gleamed with crystal chandeliers.

William put Darren at the head of the table. From there, Darren seemed like a puppet master, holding sway over everyone's fate with his piercing gaze.

Verena planned to fade into the background, but Darren's eyes kept finding her, and William promptly called her over.

"Verena, take Eric's spot."

Eric, the heir apparent to the Briggs family, was originally seated next to Darren, presumably to cozy up to him. Now, Verena found herself thrust into that very spot.

She had intended to keep her distance, but fate had other plans, seating her right beside Darren!

Verena could only eat what was in front of her, but she still accidentally touched Darren's hand twice during the meal.

Throughout the meal, Verena felt like she was walking on eggshells, but miraculously, Darren didn't single her out. They managed to get through dinner without incident.

Once dinner concluded, Verena excused herself to the restroom while William escorted Darren upstairs.

Meanwhile, Eric's sister, April Briggs, stood by her mother, Heather Briggs, wearing a scowl that could curdle milk. She had been seething all evening.

"Mom, look at Verena. Callie's busting her butt in the kitchen, and Verena hasn't lifted a finger to help. Who does she think she is, royalty?"

Callie, the maid, had been tirelessly working, and Verena hadn't even offered a helping hand.

If it weren't for William's insistence on flawlessness during dinner, April would have called Verena out then and there.

Heather didn't agree with her daughter. If her future daughter-in-law stooped to washing dishes, it would be humiliating.

Heather glanced at a particular golden box nearby. "April, Verena's still an outsider. How dare she lay her hands on such a precious gift from your uncle? That was meant for your brother."

April caught her drift immediately. "Mom, don't worry. I'll get it for him!"

Verena emerged from the restroom, only to spot April sneaking around.

"What are you up to? Kleptomania runs in the Briggs family now?" Verena stood behind her, catching April in the act of opening the scroll from Darren.

It was a masterpiece by Spencer, worth nine figures. It was practically priceless.

April froze, caught red-handed. There was no point in hiding anymore.

"Who are you calling a thief?" April shot back.

Verena leveled her gaze at her. "Aren't you? Don't try to deny it!"

April had indeed been tempted to pilfer the painting. But being caught, she wasn't about to admit it.

"Can't I admire it? It belongs to our family, after all. Are you planning to have it for yourself?"

"According to Darren, it's a gift for me. Apparently, he didn't say that it was for your family. It should have been heard by all in attendance. If something is wrong with your ears, you should see the hospital right away!" Verena retorted.

"And if Darren said it was for you, so what? You can return it to us. This artwork has captured my attention." April prepared to take it away.

But Verena beat her to it, snatching the box away. "You want it? Get your uncle to send one to you!"

With that, Verena made her exit, box in hand. It was nearing midnight, time to head home.

Seeing Heather sipping coffee nearby, Verena approached. "Heather, it's late. I should be going."

"Stay the night. Rooms are ready. You can bunk with Eric," Heather insisted.

Heather had a noblewoman's mannerisms and was rather imposing.

It wasn't an invitation; it was an order.

"Thanks, but my dad's waiting for me."

"Listen to what my mum said. Have you not heard? For what reason do you pretend? It's not like you've ever lived in such a wonderful place! You ought to feel honored!" April jumped in, her mischievous eyes gleaming.

"April!" Only after April had completed her sentence did Heather chastise her.

"Verena, don't listen to what she says. I'll arrange for someone to show you up."

April had an idea, and there was a flash of resolve in her eyes. "Mom, I'll take her."

Verena followed April upstairs. This was the Briggs family's ancestral home, rarely used these days even by Eric. Verena had been here before, but never overnight.

"I don't get why Dad's so dead-set on you marrying my brother. You're not exactly a looker like Shirley. You'll drag him down!" April grumbled.

She had been dubbed unattractive by many. It wasn't just April. Verena was not at least bothered.

Additionally, she dressed this way on purpose.

"Convince your father and brother to change their minds if you don't like me. You'd better wish that your brother and I won't tie the knot. Otherwise, your happy days would come to an end if I become your sister-in-law!" Verena said.

"You!" April seethed.

"Just wait. I'll make you pay! Dad warned not to cross Darren, and I won't, but you? You're fair game. If you make an enemy out of him, Dad will be furious!" April vowed silently.

Leading Verena to a room, April gestured inside. "This is where you'll be crashing tonight. Enjoy!"

Unbeknownst to Verena, this wasn't Eric's room but one prepared for Darren's use.

If Verena entered, she would surely anger Darren, and April could already taste the chaos.

Since she hadn't visited Eric's room previously, Verena was unaware that she had been played by April. She lifted her hand to knock on the door out of courtesy.

But April opened the door straight and pushed Verena in!