Really, was there a need to have such a reaction? It’s like everyone here was silently shouting, ‘yes, we have something to do with the fire 20 years ago’. And Luo Yan shouldn’t forget that his four team mates should be one of the people here.
Surprisingly enough, he couldn’t tell who’s who. Meaning the four were doing an exceptionally good job acting out their roles. That’s good. Now he wouldn’t have to worry that they would be found out to be fakes. The problem was, it would also be hard for him to recognize them.
It was important for him to know who’s who. That way, he could actually eliminate the guilty from the innocent. Aside from that, if somehow a ‘killing spree’ started, he would also know whether his team mates had been killed or not. Then, could immediately give up this dungeon. There’s no way he would continue on doing the task when he knew that it was already a fail anyway.
Edward’s voice took Luo Yan back to the current situation. “Father, I think you misspoke. Shouldn’t you use the word ‘widow’ instead of ‘wife’?”
”Edward, you’re already this old and yet you’re still an uptight twat,” William said in that hoarse voice. “What does it matter what I call her? It wouldn’t change the fact that she’s your brother’s wife.”
Charles let out a bark of laughter. “A ‘twat’, what a fitting description. Old man, you’re becoming very good with your words.”
Edward’s face turned red in humiliation. Sofia quickly comforted the other. Which seemed to be very effective since the other quickly calmed down. Harry only snorted at this.
William ignored his youngest son. And then just right after, the door to the drawing room opened again and the butler, Gilmore, announced;
”Dinner is served!”
And with that, the people in the drawing room queued towards the dining room.
—–
The dinner had been slightly peaceful for the most part. The start was a bit chaotic. Edward didn’t like that Sorcha was seated on the other head of the table, opposite his father. Probably because that position belonged to the second person with the most authority in the family. Of course, he would grumble.
Then, there was the issue of the food. They were all Irish dishes. Which, apparently, the Harcourt siblings didn’t like. But William prepared such dishes especially for Sorcha. According to him, he had an excellent Irish cook. So, they had to enjoy the food because it would be a great insult to his cook if they didn’t.
Some people took this as an insult, especially Edward. He might have thought that his father was secretly implying that they were no better than a mere cook in his eyes.
Frankly, Luo Yan didn’t care much. Because the food was indeed great. Of course, he didn’t forget to observe the people as he enjoyed the food.
The women, except for Sorcha, barely ate. Edward and George pretended to eat. And Charles didn’t pretend at all, he simply forego the food for the wine. The solicitor, Arthur, ate normally but one couldn’t really see if he liked the food because of the serious expression on his old face. The only ones who probably enjoyed the food were the doctor, Peter, and surprisingly, the young man, Harry. Which showed that this young man was not as rude as he seemed to be.
Luo Yan glanced at Sorcha. The other had already removed the veil covering her face. She was a very handsome woman with auburn hair and a pair of brown eyes. She was quiet, barely spoken anything since she arrived.
He actually thought at first that the other wouldn’t remove the veil covering her face, thinking that there might be a conspiracy regarding the other’s identity. For example, she’s not really the real Sorcha Harcourt but just someone impersonating her. But the moment she removed her veil, there wasn’t really any violent reactions amongst the crowds. Meaning she’s the real Sorcha.
They just finished the main course when William Harcourt clinked his wine glass with a fork. “Before we finish this dinner, I would like to make an announcement.”
Everyone’s attention turned to the other.
”I plan to revise my will that’s why I called you lot here. In my former will, once I died, all my properties and wealth will be divided equally to my still living children. But in this new will, I will leave everything to Sorcha.”
As expected, everyone, and by everyone Luo Yan meant the people related to William, had a violent reaction.
”You can’t do that, Father!” Edward exclaimed, standing up abruptly, almost causing his chair to topple over. “How could you leave us with nothing? You’d rather leave your properties to an unrelated woman rather than to your children?”
Charles laughed again. “Don’t you already know the reason why? The old man hates us. Probably still blaming us for what happened to dear Richard.”
”F-Father, I- I know you dislike us immensely. I don’t care much for the money. But, please, think of Daphne and Harry as well. They’re your grandchildren. Surely, you wouldn’t leave them destitute!” Catherine said, probably the longest she had since this evening.
George reached for his wife’s hand. “Calm down, Cathy. I’m sure Father is not being serious.”
William snorted. “Father? I believed I never gave a parasite like you the right to call me that.”
George’s whole face turned red, whether from anger or humiliation, Luo Yan honestly couldn’t tell. Maybe it’s both.
”You’re all old enough to work and yet you still rely on this old man to give you money. How shameless and useless can you all be?” Because of William’s hoarse voice, what he said sounded even harsher. “I will sign my new will tomorrow and there’s nothing all of you can do.”
Luo Yan’s only thought then was – ‘is this old man trying to get himself killed?’.