EuropeNovelChapter 154 Here is your culturally localized and istic adaptation for a Western audience: The guests at the Vaughan family's manor exchanged uneasy glances as Victor swept in and carried the birthday girl away in his arms.
With the guest of honor gone and the atmosphere soured, there was little point in lingering at this awkward, ill- fated birthday party.
Especially after what had just transpired-Mr. Fitzgerald had made it abundantly clear whose side he was on. The Vaughans had thoroughly fallen out of Victor's favor.
That was all anyone needed to know. In high society, people flock to the powerful and shun the disgraced; loyalty is as fleeting as a change in the wind.
No one dared to stay a moment longer.
One by one, the guests made their excuses and slipped out.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWithin minutes, the once lively manor-filled with the swell of a string quartet and the gentle hum of conversation-emptied into a cold, echoing silence.
The dazzling Northmarch chandelier cast its icy white light over the deserted hall, making the emptiness feel even more piercing and stark.
Just then, the family doctor hurried in through the front doors, medical bag in hand and a team of nurses trailing behind him.
He was moving against the tide of guests fleeing the scene, a late arrival with no idea what disaster had just unfolded.
He barely had tto process how strangely early the party had ended before his professional instincts kicked in. He quickly looked around and called out, "Mr. Vaughan, Eleanor-which of you is hurt?" Eleanor stood to the side, eyes rimmed red, as if all the strength had been drained from her. She glanced back at Pearl, whose legs were streaked with blood, then over to Prescott, blood streaming from a wound on his head.
She spoke, her voice weary but steady. "Check on Prescott first. See if there's any serious head injury. Take him to the hospital right away." She gathered her shawl around her shoulders, pressed a hand to her throbbing temple, and slowly walked toward the main hall.
Pearl watched as Eleanor turned away, panic flooding her face. She cried out, her voice raw and desperate, "Mom, don't leave me! I'm sorry, I promise I'll never do it again. Please don't abandon me!" Richard's brow was furrowed, his eyes dark with a stern, unreadable expression.
After a long, heavy silence, he made up his mind.
"Pearl," he said, his voice cold, "we've indulged your selfishness for long enough. But tonight, you went too far. You've disgraced the entire family. If you care nothing for our name, then from this day forward, you will move out. We no longer have a daughter." Pearl's worst fear had finally ctrue.
She was shaking so hard from pain that her teeth chattered, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.
"Dad, no! Don't do this. This is my home, I'm your daughter, I belong here! I'm the Vaughan family's daughter- please!" But Richard didn't look back. He walked away, his steps heavy as stone.
The doctor glanced at Pearl, noting the severity of her injuries, but Richard and Eleanor had given no orders to treat her. He hesitated only a moment before turning his attention to Prescott, who was clearly in worse shape.
Pearl lifted a trembling hand to wipe the tears from her face, her eyes bloodshot and wild with fury and disbelief.
Why? She'd been so close-just one step away! Why did Victor have to take Isadora's side? Isadora. That woman was truly cunning. Not only had she won over Victor-her most powerful ally-but now she'd stolen her parents' love as well.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNo. Pearl refused to give up so easily.
She looked over at Prescott, still surrounded by doctors and nurses, and forced herself to swallow her anger. "Prescott, it hurts," she whimpered, her voice trembling. "Please help me, big brother. You promised you'd always be there for me. I just made one mistake. If even you turn your back on me, what will I do?"
She tried to appeal to his memories of childhood-nights he soothed her to sleep, playground bullies he'd chased away. "You always protected me, Prescott. Are you leavingtoo?"
Prescott let out a long, weary sigh. Memories of his little sister, spoiled but beloved, tugged at his heart. In the end, he couldn't harden himself against her. Pearl had only lost her way. If Isadora had never cback to the Vaughan household, none of this would have happened.
He waved off the doctor tending his head. "Go check on Pearl's leg. Get both of us to the hospital-if anything happens to my sister, you'll answer to me." * Victor guided Isadora outside, settling her into the passenger seat of his sleek black Lamborghini.
The car roared to life, gliding into the night like a panther on the prowl.
Outside the tinted windows, neon lights painted the city in streaks of О vibrant color. Fireworks burst overhead in dazzling sprays, transforming the skyline into a dreamscape of light and wonder. The city sped past in a blur, a living tapestry of color and possibility.
Soon, they pulled up to Starlight Tower.
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