Chapter 1126

As soon as they entered the banquet hall, Naira was quickly swept away by a circle of elegantly dressed matrons, each eager to chat, gossip, or reminisce over tea and pastries. Her jade-bangled wrist disappeared into the well-cushioned corner of the hall, where the older generation had already staked their territory. Hazel, however, found herself left behind. Moments ago, the young women had been all smiles and cordial promises—“Of course, Auntie, we’ll take good care of her.” But now that Naira was out of sight, those same girls drifted off in well-coordinated clusters, their silks swishing like waves receding from the shore. None spared her a second glance. A flicker of awkwardness passed through Hazel—but it was brief and easily extinguished. She hadn’t come here to make friends or trade compliments over expensive desserts. Her purpose tonight had nothing to do with popularity. The banquet had drawn in nearly every member of the extended Fuller clan and their allies, which meant sec