One night stand with my president(chapter 386)

 

Chapter 386: Careless

This banquet wasn't as grand as the Mendoza family's, but there were still plenty of friends and family in attendance.

With Harrison absent, several young men eyed Adeline, eager to approach her and strike up a conversation.

However, despite Harrison's absence, Alberto was right by Adeline's side, guarding her fiercely, not giving anyone a chance to get close.

One of the men, who was familiar with Alberto, sighed in resignation, "Alberto, you're watching your sister too closely, aren't you? She's not a child anymore. You can't strip her of the right to make friends."

"Get lost," Alberto laughed, shaking his head.

"You guys aren't here to make friends, you're eyeing her like wolves. Of course Thave to keep an eye on you."

"Looks like only Mr. Thomson can make you give someone a chance," the man teased.

"That's true," Alberto replied coolly. "After all, he's the one my sister likes."

With Alberto around, the young men gave up trying and moved on.

Adeline was happily chatting with several noblewomen and young ladies.

She had accompanied Harrison to several banquets and social gatherings before, so she was quite comfortable in these settings.

Alberto had been sticking close to Adeline, always watching over her.

But when he saw a familiar figure, he froze. 

"It is... her?"

As the figure turned to leave, Alberto strode forward and grabbed her wrist.

The woman, caught off guard, turned to frown at, him, but upon seeing his face, her expression softened with a flicker of pain in her eyes.

"Connie, is it really you?" Alberto said.

The excitement was quickly followed by bitterness.

Alberto slowly released Connie's wrist, then casually asked, "I heard you're getting married?"

Connie looked at him, her eyes clouded with a mist of unshed tears.

But she quickly composed herself, raising a faint smile. "Yes, I'm getting married soon. Once the date is set, I'll send you an invitation."

Alberto's fingers tightened.

She was really going to marry someone else.

"How could she? After all those years... how could she just let go?" Alberto thought.

"No need for an invitation," Alberto sneered. 

"I don't attend just any event."

Connie's face turned pale.

She knew that Alberto was humiliating her.

After all, he was the heir to the Mendoza family, while she was just someone who had never been good enough.

She sniffed, wiping her nose, and said, "That's fine. Mr. Mendoza, I'm just here to deliver my gift. Now that it's done, I'll be leaving."

With that, she turned to leave.

Alberto stared at her retreating back, his chest tightening with pain, but he still chased after her.

Adeline was deep in conversation with the other women when suddenly, a woman dressed as a maid approached.

"Miss Mendoza," the maid called politely, "Litzy requests your presence."

"Litzy?"

Adeline looked around.

She couldn't see Litzy anywhere nearby.

"What does she want with me?"

"She said she has something to ask of you," the maid explained. "She didn't say what, though."

Since Litzy was asking for her, Adeline couldn't just ignore it.

She excused herself from the women and followed the maid.

The maid led her out of the living room, through a door, and into the backyard.

The guests were all chatting and laughing and didn't notice them leaving.

It was a little chilly outside, and Adeline hadn't brought a coat.

She couldn't help but rub her arms and ask,

"Where is Litzy?"

"She's waiting for you by the corridor," the maid replied Hearing that, Adeline reluctantly followed the maid forward.

However, as they neared the corridor, Adeline noticed that it was completely empty.

Something didn't feel right.

Adeline immediately stopped, turned, and started to head back.

As she walked, she opened her mouth to call out for someone.

But just as she was about to speak, someone from behind slammed their hand over her mouth.

Adeline struggled fiercely, but the person behind her had covered her mouth with a cloth soaked in a sleeping powder, and within seconds, she felt her body going limp.

Adeline was too careless to expect something like this to happen at the Livingston family.

She thought, "Who could be behind this? Pedro?" Before she could even think it through, darkness took over, and she lost consciousness.

Meanwhile, Litzy was walking downstairs with Pedro.

"You're something else, you know? You told me you had something to discuss in the study, but then you spent forever not saying anything.

What's going on with you?" Litzy scolded.

"Today's our family's banquet, and you're the host. You should be handling things properly, but you've been acting strange since this morning."

"Sorry, Mother," Pedro muttered, bowing his head in apology.

His gaze swept over the living room.

He didn't see Adeline.

Looks like the plan was going smoothly.

Pedro felt a rush of satisfaction and his steps lightened.

Just then, Gracie approached.

"Where's Adeline? Why isn't she with you two?" she asked.

She'd just overheard some of the noblewomen talking about how Litzy had asked Adeline to leave with her.

But now, seeing that Adeline wasn't with Litzy, Gracie came over to inquire.

"Adeline?" Litzy looked confused. "She's not with us."

"What do you mean?" Gracie's face turned pale.

"Wasn't it you who asked her to leave?"

"I didn't!" Litzy's panic was evident now. "I didn't send anyone to take her. I've been in the study with Pedro this whole time..."

Gracie's mind went blank for a moment.

And then, it hit her. Something was terribly wrong.

"Find her now!" she practically screamed.m

The guests turned their attention to her.

"... I'll go get help," Litzy said, her voice trembling.

Adeline was the Mendoza family's long-lost beloved daughter.

If something happened to her under their roof, her decades-long friendship with Gracie would be over.

"What happened?" Isaac asked as he walked over, frowning.

"Adeline... something's happened to Adeline!"

Gracie's voice was shaky.

Isaac's eyes widened in alarm, and he immediately ordered people to search the entire Livingston estate for Adeline. The guests also joined in, looking everywhere.

The mansion was huge, but with so many people, they turned the place upside down in no time. Still, no sign of Adeline.

Meanwhile, Isaac had sent people to search

outside.

But there was still no trace of her.

The Mendozas looked painful.

The Livingston family, on edge, was anxiously looking for answers.

Only Pedro stood quietly behind the crowd, his mind already fantasizing about the bright future ahead.

But just then, he heard Isaac calling him.

"Pedro, come here."