Chapter 414 - 417: Sinister Scheme

Warm, golden light from the crystal chandeliers filled the venue. The atmosphere for the Flynn family’s granddaughter’s Hundred Day Celebration was elegant and cozy.

Seated at the main table were the elders and close relatives of the Flynn family, along with several distinguished ladies from Aston’s most prominent families.

Claire Sterling had a calm and dignified presence. Given her status, she didn’t need to rise and mingle, instead chatting leisurely with Mrs. Flynn beside her.

Wren Sutton sat next to her mother-in-law, her posture straight and elegant. Her expression was gentle and serene, exuding a dignified grace—a natural poise cultivated by time and status.

According to the customs of high-society banquets, the younger generation was expected to offer respects to the hosts on behalf of their elders.

Wren waited for a moment. Seeing the relaxed atmosphere at the table, she calmly picked up the crystal wine glass in front of her and rose slowly and gracefully.

She showed no sign of nervousness, nor any hint of fawning humility. She walked with a steady gait to Mrs. Flynn, bowing slightly. Her posture was deferential, yet her back remained straight.

"Mrs. Flynn, congratulations on the new addition to the Flynn family. On behalf of the Lancaster family, I’d like to propose a toast. May the little one have a life of peace, joy, and no worries." Wren’s voice was soft, her words poised and proper.

After speaking, she proactively tilted her glass forward slightly, its rim a little lower than Mrs. Flynn’s—the perfect, most respectful posture for a junior.

She then raised her hand and took a small sip of the red wine. The movement was fluid, both gentle and grand.

The elders at the table watched Wren with kind eyes, all of them filled with approval.

As the official Young Madam of the Lancaster family, she was perfectly composed. She gave the host family, the Flynns, ample face while in no way diminishing her own status and dignity.

Her every move bespoke a fine upbringing, radiating composure and thoughtfulness.

Claire Sterling watched her poised and proper daughter-in-law. The satisfaction and affection in her eyes were nearly impossible to hide. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her heart filled with approval.

Next, Wren calmly and methodically toasted each of the Flynn family elders at the main table in turn.

Every congratulatory phrase was sincere and appropriate, every gesture elegant and graceful. She was neither overly enthusiastic, which would seem contrived, nor coolly impolite. She remained composed throughout, perfectly displaying the bearing and refinement of Mrs. Lancaster.

After completing the round of toasts, Wren turned and walked back to her seat. She sat down gently and placed her glass back on the table. A little less than half a glass of ruby-red wine remained, its surface perfectly still, without a single ripple.

At a side table on the other side of the banquet hall, Claire Bennett sat quietly in a corner, her gaze fixed on the main table.

She watched Wren rise with composure, offer toasts, and receive praise from all the elders. She watched Claire Sterling protectively dote on her daughter-in-law. She watched Wren stand at the center of the crowd, radiant and dazzling...

Jealousy and hatred grew like wild vines in Claire Bennett’s heart. Her nails dug into her palms, yet her face remained impassive, her disguise perfect.

She waited patiently, her gaze unwavering, watching Wren’s every move.

Only when Wren sat down did Claire Bennett finally look away.

She slowly unclenched her fist and stood up.

"Claire, what are you doing?" Mrs. Bennett asked in a low voice.

"I’m going to toast the main table."

Mrs. Bennett hesitated, wanting to stop her, but Claire Bennett had already stepped away from her seat.

A meek and obedient smile on her face, she kept her head lowered, walking with light, humble steps toward the main table.

Claire Bennett maintained a submissive posture the entire way. Arriving at the main table, she bowed deeply to Mrs. Flynn and the other elders.

"Mrs. Flynn, good evening, elders. Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter. I’d like to toast you all. May the Flynn family enjoy endless fortune and continued prosperity."

She toasted the elders at the table one by one, speaking in a soft, quiet voice, her eyes downcast as if she didn’t dare to look at anyone directly. She put on an act of being well-behaved and dutiful, deliberately trying to earn points with the elders for being meek and harmless.

The elders at the table simply saw her as a junior who had come along for the event and gave her polite nods.

After toasting all the elders, Claire Bennett didn’t stop. She turned slightly and walked over to Wren Sutton.

She looked at the radiant Wren before her, her eyes filled with a perfectly measured amount of admiration, deliberately feigning a look of intimacy and respect.

"Mrs. Lancaster, I’ve always admired you. And I’m so grateful for your patience with me. I’d like to toast you separately."

As she spoke, Claire Bennett proactively held up her glass, leaned in slightly, and raised her hand to clink glasses with Wren.

’She knew that as Mrs. Lancaster, Wren couldn’t possibly refuse a toast in front of a table full of elders. It would be a loss of face and composure. She would have to accept out of politeness.’

Wren had never had a good impression of Claire Bennett and had no desire to play along with her charade.

But with so many elders present at a joyous and warm Hundred Day Celebration, her status demanded she couldn’t publicly give someone the cold shoulder. She couldn’t risk being labeled arrogant and petty, which would bring shame to the Lancaster family.

So, Wren looked up with an indifferent expression. She didn’t stand, but out of courtesy, she raised her hand and picked up her wine glass.

Just as the two crystal glasses were about to touch, Claire Bennett used the motion of leaning forward and lowering her head to perfectly block the view of Claire Sterling and everyone else around them.

Her fingertip trembled for a fraction of a second, so fast it was like an illusion. A tiny amount of white, odorless powder, hidden under her nail beforehand, fell silently into Wren’s glass.

It dissolved into the wine in an instant, leaving no trace, nothing out of the ordinary.

The glasses touched, making a crisp, faint sound.

CLINK—

Claire Bennett pretended to take a meek sip of her wine, then stepped back with a harmless expression, revealing no flaw in her act.

Wren, completely unsuspecting, remained calm. Unwilling to waste any more time on her, she politely touched the glass to her lips and took a small sip.

As the liquid went down her throat, it still had the familiar, mellow aroma of red wine. There was no strange taste.

Then, she set her glass down without giving Claire Bennett another look.

Claire Bennett’s fingers, hanging by her side, curled slightly. The meek, harmless smile remained on her lips, but a faint glint of malice and triumph flashed deep in her eyes.

’The powder was colorless and odorless, dissolving without a trace in the red wine. The dose was perfectly measured; no effects would be visible for a short while. She just had to wait a little, and it would slowly take hold.’

Her objective achieved, she didn’t dare linger at the main table. She gave a slight bow to the elders, turned, and slowly walked back to her seat.

Just then, Claire Sterling caught a glimpse of Claire Bennett’s retreating back out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t look closely or think much of it, assuming the Bennett family was just trying to show off and make their presence known.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Wren beside her, her eyes full of affection.

"Wren, that must have been tiring, making all those toasts. Your etiquette was perfect, Mom saw everything. You don’t have to worry about anything else now. Just sit and eat."

A faint smile touched Wren’s lips. "Mom, I’m not tired. It’s only right to toast the elders."

Pleased, Claire Sterling lowered her voice and asked, "This red wine has a strong kick. You didn’t drink much, but are you feeling unwell at all?"

Wren shook her head. "I’m fine, not at all."

’There was just a slight dizziness, a normal reaction to drinking alcohol. She didn’t think anything of it.’

Hearing this, Claire Sterling was finally relieved.

The banquet continued. One exquisite, luxurious dish after another was brought to the table—a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

The guests all observed proper table manners, their movements elegant and unhurried, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

Wren was no exception, maintaining the expected decorum, her conduct flawlessly perfect.

After some time, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. Her chest felt tight, and her vision began to blur.

Wren frowned in discomfort. She subconsciously raised a hand to press her temples, remaining silent as she leaned back against her chair.