Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 160

Laurinda suddenly burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with delight. She covered her mouth, clearly pleased with Silvia.

“Silvia.” Kent stepped forward, his hand gently circling her waist as he pulled her close, pressing her firmly against his chest. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”

He looked down at Laurinda with a cool, almost imperious gaze, a flash of danger flickering in his narrowed eyes.

Catching the look in Kent’s eyes, Laurinda’s lips curled into a knowing, wry smile, the corners of her mouth hinting at mischief.

“Aunt Laurinda, I’ll take a walk around with Kent,” Silvia said politely, nodding to her.

Kent’s hand rested securely on her waist, the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric and sending a tingle up her spine. Silvia almost wanted to squirm away—if the room hadn’t been full of Parsons family relatives, she probably would have wriggled out of his grasp. She still wasn’t used to being so close to Kent.

Kent led Silvia around the room, introducing her to everyone in sight. In the span of a few minutes, she met over thirty people—distant aunts, uncles, cousins she’d never heard of, even people who looked like they'd come just for the occasion.

It was obvious these distant relatives had shown up for one reason: the Parsons fortune. Everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

After a whirlwind of introductions to people she’d likely never see again, Silvia realized that Kent’s father was nowhere to be seen.

Leaning into Kent’s embrace, she asked quietly, “Where’s your father?”

Carlisle didn’t spare his sister a glance. He strode straight over to Kent and Silvia, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he regarded Silvia. His voice was deep, carrying the weight of authority. “Now that you’re here, we can get ready for dinner. The sooner we eat, the sooner you two can head home and rest.”

Silvia had meant to greet him politely, but his words caught her off guard. From the sound of it, Kent’s father didn’t seem to want them lingering too long at Parsons Mansion. If anything, he sounded ready to usher them out the door.

Silvia furrowed her brow, but said nothing. With so many people around, she felt uncomfortable anyway—this wasn’t her scene.

Nearby, Laurinda let out a soft chuckle. “Really, Carlisle? They barely ever visit, and you’re already trying to chase them out?” she said, her tone light and slightly mocking.