Tanya staggered back, her world spinning as Thomas' slap sent her crashing to the ground.
Was Thomas staging a mutiny? He had completely disregarded her meticulously crafted plan, turning everything into a humiliating fiasco.
Leopold called for security, who promptly escorted Thomas away to be detained. He then helped Tanya to her feet.
"Tanya, are you alright?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
Tanya tried to regain her composure, smoothing down her disheveled hair, "Thomas, to think after all these years I never realized he was a nutcase, spewing all that nonsense."
"Don't worry. I won't take his words to heart," Leopold reassured her, with a hint of a teasing smile playing on his lips.
The crowd that had gathered to watch the drama slowly dispersed.
Arnold wrapped an arm around Aurelia's shoulder, "You weren't hypnotized by him, were you?"
"No," Aurelia shook her head, "I've learned a bit of self-defense. It wouldn’t be so easy for him to hypnotize me."
She patted William’s head, "William must be exhausted. Why don't you take him back to get some rest?"
Arnold scooped up William into his arms.
William immediately rested his head on Arnold's shoulder, clearly fighting off sleep.
Arnold walked Aurelia to her room, waited until she entered, and then carried William back to their room.
The night deepened, and one by one, the guests fell asleep. Leopold made his way quietly to Aurelia's room.
Fresh from a shower, Aurelia lay on the bed reviewing some new design drafts, her mind a whirlpool of suspicion. Upon seeing him, she quickly asked, "Have you interrogated Thomas yet?"
Leopold smirked darkly, "He's playing the fool, not willing to spill the beans. But no matter, I have ways to make him talk."
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