Chapter 34: Little Things
The living room of the Garrel estate was steeped in a suffocating silence. Anna, Gabriel, and Anaїs sat on a plush white couch, their expressions dark and contemplative, their gazes fixed on the glossy envelope resting on the coffee table. Atop it lay an elegant invitation card, its golden embellishments catching the dim light.
"A charity event, huh?" Gabriel finally muttered, more to himself than to anyone in particular. "William really is something... I wonder how he managed to get an invitation before we did."
Mrs. Garrel clicked her tongue in mild disapproval. "You know William—he always finds a way. Besides, it’s a charity event organized by Amelie Bennett. The moment she learned that Will was launching a major philanthropic project, she was eager to help."
"Amelie Bennett?" Anna’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. "The Amelie Bennett?"
"Yes," Anais confirmed with a nod. "She’s been a dedicated philanthropist for years. Overseeing large-scale charity events is practically second nature to her, and receiving an invitation to one of her auctions is quite an honor."
Indeed, Anna thought, pressing the nail of her left thumb into the skin of her right hand, an old nervous habit resurfacing. The Hydes have never been invited to any of her events before... So which one of the ’rats’ am I supposed to meet there?
When Violet had handed her the invitation, she hadn’t disclosed who exactly Anna was expected to encounter at the auction. She had only said that William had chosen to keep it a secret—insisting it was better this way. If Anna didn’t know, she wouldn’t spend days obsessing over the meeting; she could simply focus on preparing for the event itself.
But instead of easing her mind, it had the opposite effect. The more she thought about the auction, the more restless she became. Who was she meant to meet there?
"I’ve never been to an auction myself," Gabriel admitted, glancing at Anna, as if sensing her unease. "Grandma, do you know which one this is?"