Chapter 499

As Leonard patiently bid his time, a spark of hope returned to Dale's eyes. The farce quickly spread throughout the banquet hall, though many were too intimidated by the Lancaster family's stature to speak openly about it. Still, perceptions of Andrew began to shift, for better or worse. Andrew remained unfazed by the gossip surrounding him. In fact, he actually welcomed the shift in attention. With this incident, those who might have acted recklessly now thought twice, wary of overstepping their bounds. Even a few attendees ventured over to greet Andrew, praising the beauty of Doria, a compliment he received with polite smiles. These faces were familiar to him, all connected through various business dealings with the Hughes family. As he engaged with them, he occasionally glanced at the clock, estimating when Fred would make his entrance. Suddenly, a shout pierced the air. "Mr. Hughes Senior is here!" The raucous chatter in the dining hall fell into a hush as all eyes turne