CHAPTER 429: PARTY ENDS

"What do you think he meant by that last statement?" Sandro inquired, watching guests get to their feet, dusting off their clothes, some already preparing to leave the hall—only waiting out of courtesy to hear Old Mr. Thorne’s final words, so as not to come off as rude and lose the Thorne connection.

"I’m not sure," Ewan answered, his brows furrowed as he watched Athena approach him with a bland countenance.

He wondered if this would be the norm of their relationship, considering she had announced to the whole world that she was engaged to Antonio, and had even announced a party—private albeit—in that regard.

Was he invited to the party? He hoped not.

"What’s going on?" she asked when she got to him, her eyes narrowing in search of something deeper.

Feet away, Antonio was hurrying to catch up with the discussion.

But Ewan just wanted out of the space, so that he could sort out what was going on—what the gang had in stock for him, for his family. Even though he had called Kael’s bluff, he knew that the latter was a bull when triggered, when scorned.

To Athena’s question, meanwhile, he shrugged. "Your party was invaded."

Athena raised a brow, displeased with the simple reply. "I’m not blind, Ewan. Of course the party was invaded. But what is going on?"

Ewan, however, didn’t understand the question much. Hadn’t she seen what had gone on? "They used your party as a distraction to wreak another havoc elsewhere. Our job is to find out where..."

"Or maybe you can start with how you and Kael seem like old buddies with a feud in between..." Antonio cut in, his tone sharp.

Ewan held in a scoff, including the urge to just squeeze the latter’s mouth shut.

He only exchanged a furtive glance with Athena and reverted his attention to the stage, where Old Mr. Thorne had mounted to dismiss the gathering officially, before the in-house meeting that would be coming up.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming... and I am sorry for this mishap that had happened. I truly apologize..." His voice carried weight, his shoulders sagged as though the admission hurt. "I would say that you should understand the threat to my granddaughter’s life, but I should have increased security..."

Another pause, heavier than the rest, revealed the old man’s guilt, and curiosity at the same time. How had his mansion been infiltrated?

"Hence, I am sorry. Please do have a nice night. I have taken adequate measures to make sure you all get home safely. The police have also been informed."

Ewan knew it was a lie. Police hadn’t been informed—for that wouldn’t help their case—but just to cover all grounds, he raised his hand.

Old Mr. Thorne had the grace to look surprised at being interrupted. "Is there a problem, Mr. Giacomeeti?"

Ewan was already moving to the platform, becoming the center of attention. "Not at all. I just want to make an important announcement, if that would be okay with you..."

For a second, a random thought flickered through the many in Athena’s mind. Maybe he wanted to announce an engagement with Victoria?

As soon as the thought came, she banished it to the uttermost part of the earth, partly because it was no use in this situation, secondly because it had unsettled her in the little time it had stayed with her.

When Old Mr. Thorne gave a curt nod at Ewan’s appearance beside him on the podium, he handed the mic in the same vein, stepping aside a little, as curious as the people before them.

"Good evening, everyone..." Ewan started, his voice business-like yet smooth, his eyes scanning the entirety of the people in the hall boldly. "In addition to what Mr. Edward Thorne had said, I would like to ask that you all here keep the happenings here a secret, including the media team that had been invited... no scoops."

His words generated murmurs in the room instantly. People didn’t think it was feasible—not even Athena.

Did he know how loose a person’s mouth could be? However, she understood Ewan’s point.

If this came out in the news, it would have many effects, first of which was how he was related to Kael, a notorious gang leader. The press wouldn’t make it easier with their twisted truths either.

There were her children to consider too.

Ewan cleared his throat in the mic, igniting silence. "Anyone who goes against this word will be sanctioned by me. Whatever press that bears the news would be put out of business. Whatever business owner will lose his or her rights to function. In conclusion, keep your mouth shut."

This was delivered so casually, so smoothly, that it took a while for the people to really understand what he was saying.

"We are in a digital world, so you can trust me to trace whatever communication is there. Was the instruction clear?"

The guests, stripped of the urge to speak, knowing Ewan, knowing his ruthlessness, seeing that in his eyes when he had attacked Kael, nodded like robots.

"I will need words..." he bit out, like he was talking to students, and echoes of "Yes" greeted him.

"Thank you," he muttered, tilting his head, then returned the mic to a surprised Old Mr. Thorne.

He got down from the platform and headed toward his children, who were with Gianna and Chelsea.

He lifted Kathleen in one arm and ruffled Nathaniel’s hair with the second, ignoring the silence that held most of the guests captive.

"I am sorry for not coming sooner," he apologized to them, his voice barely a whisper.

Kathleen kissed his right cheek, shocking Athena and Antonio further. "I think you came right on time. Aunt Gianna almost shat herself."

Gianna recoiled, her mouth dropped in mock shock, while Nathaniel and Ewan broke into bouts of laughter, easing the tension somewhat around them.

Old Mr. Thorne cleared his throat after a few beats. "And that’s all. You heard my..." he paused, a bit astounded that he had almost called Ewan his son-in-law.

"... Mr. Ewan Giacometti. I will advise that we all act accordingly. Please have a good night, and thanks for celebrating the return of my granddaughter."