FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 169

Chapter 169: The Family Interrogation

It was a vibrant evening filled with laughter merriment and good music.

The opulent mansion banquet hall with brilliantly illuminating crystal chandelier cast a warm glow on the long beautifully decorated rectangular table filled with assorted food, expensive bottles of wine, silver and golden dishware, colourful cocktails and mouth-watering dessert.

Members of the Shawls family comprising of; wives, husbands, children, in-laws and extended relations gathered together in their usual monthly fashion to celebrate another Thanksgiving feast. They were all looking elegant in their carefully selected Sunday’s best.

As usual, Regina stole everyone’s attention in her designer velvety blue dress and dazzling accessories. She ensured everyone was comfortable and enjoying the evening while they awaited the senator and Gwen who were yet to show up.

The sight of Judith and her husband seated at the table made Regina’s stomach twist. But she did her best to contain her disgust, knowing Judith’s days of poke-nosing in the family affairs were numbered.

When the senator finally arrived with his youngest daughter by his side, walking slowly with the aid of a walking stick, everyone at the table rose to welcome them.

“Please, you don’t have to. Take your seat.” The senator said, beaming as each member of his family took turns, greeting him and asking after Gwen’s wellbeing.

“Honey…” Regina left her seat to receive her husband with a glass of champagne in her right hand. “…you look handsome as ever.” She leaned closer and kissed him on the cheek before handing him the glass.

“Thank you, darling. You look gorgeous as well.” The senator received the drink without taking a sip.

“More gorgeous than me, daddy?” Gwen asked in a jealous tone as she carefully wiped her mum’s lipstick stain on her father’s cheeks.

“You both look equally stunning, darling.” Senator Gregory replied, maintaining his cheerful expression. He pulled out a seat and helped Gwen carefully sit down before taking his own seat at the head of the table.

The feasting commenced after the senator shared the grace. He ate only the food Sam served him and drank only the wine Sam handed to him.

The dinner was lively with lots of engaging activities as everyone seated at the table took turns, expressing what they were thankful for amid loud cheering and laughter.

As the dinner slowly approached its climax, the senator stood up and addressed everyone in a solemn voice.

“My dearest family, I want to thank you all for making time to attend this memorable monthly gathering regardless of the challenges we have all been facing, individually and collectively. Our matriarch would have loved to attend today’s event. But unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan. Nevertheless, she extends her warm regards to us all.”

A brief cheer erupted but died down almost immediately as the senator resumed speaking. He spoke briefly about the relevance of family, brotherhood, sacrifice, trust and commitment, before narrowing it down to the events of the past week.

“Yesterday, after speaking at length with my daughter, Amelia and listening to her accusations, I realized that there is a lot I do not know about this family. A lot has been happening right under my nose…” The senator paused briefly, lowering his gaze to his wife who was staring at his brother. “This can no longer continue.”

A hush fell in the room as most of the extended family members except Judithand her husband, exchanged curious glances, wondering what the senator was talking about. But in the case of the guilty culprit, they shifted uneasily in their seat, exchanging silent glances and nonverbal communication.

Just then, the door to the banquet room was pushed open, causing every pair of eyes in the room to turn towards that direction.

Wild gasps erupted in the room as Blaze and Amelia, cladded in elegant and matching black attire majestically walked into the banquet room, holding hands. They were looking like royalty as they strode purposefully towards the banquet table exuding a domineering and intimidating aura.

“What are they doing here?” Regina’s horrified gaze shifted to Matt, who was equally perplexed by their presence.

“Good evening, everyone. I hope I wasn’t too late for the party.” Amelia said in a sweet voice, her glistening eyes taking note of the shocked and paled faces of all those who had soiled their hands with greed.

“Sir, do you want me to…”

“Sit down, Lin.” The Senator cut her off before she could complete her statement. “I will handle this.” He was about to address the couple when Matt jumped to his feet, taking matters into his hands.

“Amelia, what is the meaning of this?” Matt demanded in a slightly alarmed but furious voice, his gaze narrowing at Amelia while carefully avoiding Blaze. “Why have you come down here? Do you intend to cause trouble like the last time?”

“Matt…”

“Dad, allow me,” Amelia said signalling her father not to interfere.

“I’m no troublemaker, Uncle Matt. I came here because I care a lot about this family. You can be rest assured that I do not have any ulterior motives except to clarify certain misunderstandings and set the records straight. So if you don’t mind, please sit down because we have a lot of things to discuss.”

“Never!” Desmond banged his fist on the table standing up. “I will not sit down here and watch you make a caricature of us one more time. I will advise you and your husband to peacefully leave this place right now or I will be forced to call the police.”

“You will call the police on your niece?” Amelia snickered. If only her uncle knew that the police were waiting outside to escort some of them to jail.

“Sit down Desmond and stop talking rubbish.” The senator rebuked his younger brother to his dismay.

“But Daddy, have you forgotten what Amelia’s husband did to you the last time? He was the one who struck you on your head. He was the reason why you were bedridden for days.”

“And do not forget that he almost strangled me to death,” Regina said looking up to her husband pleadingly.

“Moreover Amelia made it abundantly clear the last time that she’s no longer a member of this family,” Pearl said, scowling at her

“And you are?” Amelia let out a chuckle. ” Don’t make me laugh, Pearl. I was guessing by now you would know your place in the family.”

“Amelia, please we were having so much fun before you came. I know you hate this family so much for the things you claim we did to you. But for the sake of this Thanksgiving occasion, kindly let us celebrate in peace. We do not want trouble. That is why you were not invited in the first place.” Regina pleaded, standing up beside her husband whose countenance seemed very off.

“On the contrary, stepmom, my husband and I were invited,” Amelia replied confidently.

“By whom!” Desmond queried in alarm.

“That would be me.” Senator’s Gregory deep and commanding voice echoed in the room.

“What?” Regina cocked her head sideways to look at her husband. “You invited them and you didn’t think I should know about it?” She asked in a betrayed tone.

“Excuse me?” The senator shot his wife a vicious glare that sent a chilly wave down her spine. “Do I need to seek your permission before inviting my daughter to her home?”

“T…t…that’s not what I meant, honey.” Regina fumbled with her words, her body trembling as her eyes darted between father and daughter. “I would have made a seat available for her if you had told me.”

“There is no need to quarrel about this.” Matt’s said stepping away from his seat and asking his wife to stand up. “They can both have my seat and that of my wife. I just remembered I have somewhere to be. If you will all excuse me.”

“Sit down Matt.” The senator commanded.

“But brother, I really have to be…”

“I said sit down.” The senator boomed causing a chill to run down Matt’s spine.

A deafening silence reigned for the next few seconds as Matt and his wife slowly took their seat.

Matt could already see the way Blaze was grinning devilishly from behind and he knew something terrible was about to happen. He looked in Lin’s direction but the latter seemed to be fighting her own demons as her gaze was elsewhere.

The senator called on the butler and asked him to bring extra seats into the room.

When everyone was finally seated, the senator resumed his earlier address

“Earlier I told you all that a lot of things have been happening in this family that needs to be addressed. But before I go on to reveal some of the disturbing things I’ve learned about some of us, I would give each and every one of you involved in any sort of crime the chance to come clean. Failure to confess your crime will be met with dire consequences.”

The senator turned to Gwen and said,

“Sweetheart, do you have something to say concerning the abduction and attempted murder of your sister?”

“What!” Everyone seated at the table gasped in shock.

“Me!” Gwen placed her hand on her chest, eyes widened. “Dad, how can you say such a dreadful thing? I could never hurt my sister.”