Chapter 28 When Did Cressida Attach Herself to Miguel?
When Cressida arrived, Clio, Michael, Rose, and even Patrick were already seated in their places.
Michael and Rose flanked Patrick on either side, leaving the edge seat by the door for Cressida.
Cressida knew Patrick and Clio's tactics all too well—they always liked using this unspoken cold treatment to make her feel anxious and guilty.
In the past, whenever Patrick and Clio gave her the cold shoulder, she would wonder if she'd done something wrong again.
Fortunately, today, she had freed herself from the shackles of family obligation.
Michael looked much more subdued, occasionally glancing up at Cressida with unfriendly eyes.
Looking at the table full of people, Cressida didn't sit down. Instead, she said, "I don't have much appetite tonight and I'm quite tired. I just came to wish Father and Mother a happy holiday, and now I'll be going."
She curtsied, rather perfunctorily, and turned to leave.
However, Patrick's face had been dark the whole time.
He had expected Cressida to admit her mistakes first, but instead she showed no awareness of her problems and dared to leave just like that.
"Stop right there!" Patrick's voice turned harsh. "Cressida, where are your manners? This is how you act when you see your mother and me?"
Cressida's expression remained calm. "What's wrong with my attitude?"
Patrick was momentarily stunned by her penetrating gaze.
For a moment, the thought flashed through his mind that Cressida was no longer the person he could manipulate at will.
Patrick pulled out his fatherly authority: "I've heard everything. You helped Ethan get a position in the King's Guard. I don't care whose connections you used, but you must get your brother into the King's Guard too."
Clio added, "It's one thing to help Ethan, but Michael is your real brother. You can only do well if he does well."
Rose gently pushed Michael. "Go on, toast your sister! With her help, your matter will surely work out."
Michael picked up his wine glass and walked over to Cressida.
He pretended to be humble. "Sister, I was wrong before. I was impulsive and offended you. Please forgive me. I toast to you!"
"As for getting into the King's Guard, I'll have to trouble you. We're siblings, and when I make something of myself, I certainly won't let you down."
With that, Michael was about to drink it all.
But unexpectedly, Cressida pressed down on his glass.
She took the glass away and suddenly turned it upside down, pouring it in a circle on the ground—like offering to the dead.
Everyone's expression changed.
Patrick slammed the table. "Cressida, what do you think you're doing? Are you cursing us to die?!"
Cressida placed the cup back on the table.
"Ethan ranked second in the national martial arts exam. If someone hadn't deliberately held back his position, with his abilities, he would have entered the King's Guard long ago. This has nothing to do with me."
"As for Michael, he didn't even place in the rankings. Getting into the Guard Office depends on whose favor—I don't need to spell it out, do I?"
Patrick roared, "Michael is your real brother!"
Clio clutched her chest and shook her head. "How did I give birth to such an ungrateful person!"
Rose quickly offered gentle comfort.
Looking at this family full of schemes, Cressida only had a cold smile at the corner of her lips.
"Let's be realistic. I don't have the ability to help Michael. Father and Mother should give up on this idea."
She turned to leave, and Patrick suddenly stood up. "Fine! Since you're so ill-mannered and favor outsiders, from tonight on, I refuse to sit at the same table with you. And the ancestral ceremony—you don't need to attend that either!"
In other words, she was banned from all important family occasions.
Being cast out by one's parents would indeed be devastating news for an ordinary daughter.
But Cressida only pressed her lips slightly, her face still calm.
"If Father has decided this, then I have nothing more to say."
Just then, Noah came running in hurriedly.
"Mr. Patrick Hamilton, Mrs. Clio Hamilton, His Majesty has sent food from the palace!"
Patrick immediately suppressed his anger and led the whole family to the entrance to receive it.
Seeing Cressida about to follow, Patrick didn't forget to say coldly, "You're not allowed to come. We'll pretend this family doesn't have you."
Cressida replied, "If I don't go, I'm afraid Father won't be qualified to receive the decree."
"His Majesty is bestowing food—if you don't go, does that mean it can't be delivered? Ridiculous." Patrick snorted coldly and strode off.
In the front courtyard, the head attendant stood with a group of palace servants carrying food boxes.
Seeing Patrick, he bowed respectfully, his smiling gaze sweeping over the Hamilton family members one by one, then pausing in confusion.
"May I ask Mr. Patrick Hamilton, is Ms. Cressida Hamilton at the residence? Please have her come forward to receive the decree."
"The decree is for her?" Patrick was stunned.
The head attendant nodded. "His Majesty specially bestows sixteen dishes upon Ms. Cressida Hamilton, so please, Mr. Patrick Hamilton, bring Ms. Cressida Hamilton here so this servant can announce the decree."
Clio was furious.
What ability did Cressida have?
Although Cressida was nominally Cameron's sister, she and Patrick were Cameron's parents!
Why did Doyle's rewards always bypass them and go to Cressida?
In front of the head attendant, Patrick didn't dare say anything. He could only swallow his pride and have Noah bring back Cressida, who had already left.
Only when the head attendant saw Cressida did he read the decree.
"These sixteen dishes are all prepared by the royal chef. Please enjoy them, Ms. Hamilton."
"Thank you for His Majesty's gift." With a glance from Cressida, Emma stepped forward to give a reward—gold leaves, no less.
The head attendant bowed, naturally not daring to accept.
After he left, Cressida told Emma, "Send everything to my room."
"Wait," Patrick frowned. "His Majesty has bestowed these dishes, you should share them with the family. Don't forget, His Majesty gave them in honor of your brother, General Hamilton."
A royal banquet was a tremendous honor.
In Novaria, there was a saying that food bestowed by the king symbolized a close relationship with the family.
Each year, no more than four families received banquets from Doyle.
Usually it was the Queen Mother's family, Sophie's husband's family—Patrick's household was the only outsider.
Cressida looked at Patrick and said flatly, "Wasn't it Father who said that starting tonight, you won't sit at the same table with me? Can Father's words be changed so easily and not count?"
"You!" Patrick was so angry he couldn't speak, never expecting her to use his own words against him.
What surprised them even more was that shortly after Doyle's gift, Sophie also sent someone with precious gifts, specifically designated for Cressida.
A continuous stream of rewards was carried from the gate to Cressida's courtyard.
Patrick and the others could only stare in disbelief.
Rose was so angry she nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds over that expensive fabric!
If Patrick hadn't refused to back down, she would definitely have tried to claim a share.
Just then, another group of guards arrived at the gate.
Patrick had a headache. "Who is it this time?"
Noah rushed in and said, "Prince Russell has sent someone to deliver things for Ms. Hamilton."
Everyone present was astonished.
Gifts from Doyle and Sophie made sense, but why was Miguel sending gifts?
When had Cressida gotten close to Miguel?