Sharon Ainsworth watched awkwardly as her glass was set down, so she could only say, "Let's eat something first. It's better not to drink on an empty stomach."
Nora Ainsworth nodded in agreement. Then, she started stuffing her face, eating so voraciously that everyone around found it hard to watch.
Leon Lynch's mouth twitched. "Nora, slow down."
She nodded and held a piece of pastry to his lips. "Here, Leon, have a bite. It's delicious."
Seeing how utterly hopeless she was acting, Leon Lynch wanted nothing more than to publicly shame her.
But with everyone watching, he couldn't very well refuse, so he had no choice but to open his mouth and let her shove the food in.
Once she'd eaten her fill, she spoke up before Sharon Ainsworth had a chance. "I'm stuffed. I'm going upstairs to rest for a bit."
Sharon Ainsworth's eyes lit up. "Nora, I'll go with you, just to make sure you don't get lost."
Nora Ainsworth didn't refuse. "Sure, Sis, let's go together."
The two sisters took the elevator up to the guest rooms.
Once in the room, Nora Ainsworth lay down, closed her eyes, and said deliberately, "Sis, I'm going to take a nap. I'm a bit tired. Just wake me up in a little while."
Sharon Ainsworth's smile was as radiant as a spring blossom. "Alright. You get some rest. I'm heading downstairs."
She walked out, deliberately leaving the door ajar.
Nora Ainsworth sat up, her cold eyes fixed on the doorway. She then stuffed two pillows under the covers, creating the illusion of a person sleeping in the bed.
Just as she was about to head out, the door was pushed open.
Quentin Grant stood in the doorway. "Where are you going?"
"Just out for a walk."
He raised an eyebrow at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"I'd advise against going out. Your sister will be back any second now."
The words had barely left his mouth when, sure enough, a set of footsteps sounded in the hallway, growing closer and closer.
Nora Ainsworth quickly ducked into the bathroom, but he remained standing in the doorway of the room.
She quickly yanked him into the bathroom with her. The moment they were inside, the hotel room door opened.
Sharon Ainsworth didn't enter, merely poking her head in to take a look.
A smile touched her lips as she turned and walked away.
The door slammed shut, and heavy footsteps entered the room. They didn't belong to Sharon Ainsworth.
Nora Ainsworth quietly picked up the toilet plunger and held it at the ready.
"Huh? Where is she?" It was Quincy's voice. Nora Ainsworth recognized him—he was Mrs. Lynch's nephew.
Nora Ainsworth turned on the faucet. The sound of gushing water flowed out into the room. His fat belly jiggling, Quincy tiptoed toward the bathroom.
The instant he opened the door, she slapped the plunger over his mouth, kicked him down, and tied his hands and feet with a rope. She then ripped the plunger off and stuffed a rag in his mouth.
With great effort, Nora Ainsworth heaved him onto the bed. She made sure his limbs were securely tied, then pulled the covers over him. Only then did she allow herself a slow breath.
Dusting off her hands, she looked up to see Quentin Grant scrutinizing her.
She immediately left the room.
He followed behind her.
Once she was out of the hotel, she looked back but saw no sign of him.
She took a car home and got out at her front door.
The house was quiet. Her older brother wasn't home; only her mother and stepfather were there.
She walked into the living room and sat beside Mrs. Ainsworth. "Mom, I'm home."
"Why didn't you come back with your sister?"
She shook her head, not wanting to say anything.
Seeing her looking so listless, Mrs. Sullivan asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
"Mom... can I really not break off my engagement to Leon Lynch?" This was the second time she had asked her mother this question. She remembered very clearly that the last time she'd asked, her mother had flown into a rage.