A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 176

Winifred blinked, her eyes clearing as she approached the dining table. It was almost incomprehensible. Madeleine was alive!

Still reeling from the shock, Winifred managed a neutral, "Nothing."

Madeleine smirked, clearly assuming Winifred was still harboring delusions of grandeur about the Lockwood heir, distracted by her proximity to Holden.

Madeleine extended her wrist gracefully. Winifred placed her fingers on the pulse point.

"Well?" Madeleine asked.

"Your pulse is weak, indicating low vitality. You're exhibiting signs of severe cortisol spikes and nervous exhaustion. Have you been experiencing insomnia, palpitations, or intense anxiety?"

Madeleine's jaw tightened slightly. "A little."

"Why don't you have Dr. Shultz do a quick acupuncture session?" Nelly suggested brightly. "Her treatments for stress and insomnia are practically magic. I guarantee you'll sleep like a baby tonight."

"Alright," Madeleine agreed smoothly. "Dr. Shultz, if you wouldn't mind coming to my room later?"

Winifred met Madeleine's gaze. The older woman's eyes were heavy with implication. It was obvious Madeleine wanted to speak privately.

Perfect. Winifred had plenty to say to her, too.

"Of course," Winifred replied with a tight, professional smile.

The Sutton family had no idea about her history with the Lockwoods. The entire connection between the prestigious Suttons and the Lockwoods was Iris's doing. Iris had orchestrated her brother's marriage to Yvonne Sutton, cementing her own family's status, and then used that bridge to introduce the Lockwoods to Nelly.

Tonight was Nelly's first time meeting Madeleine, entirely out of respect for Iris and Holden.

Though a surgical mask covered half her face, her eyes and voice were unmistakable. Having lived with the Lockwoods for fifteen years, everyone recognized her. And Nelly had already announced her surname.

Her identity was an open secret in the room.

Under the piercing glare of dozens of eyes, Winifred decided to play the part to perfection. Mimicking the subservient grace of the Lockwood household staff, she bowed slightly, used a warm towel to sanitize her hands, and stepped between Holden and Iris.

Treating the silver knife like a surgical instrument, she cleanly and methodically extracted the crab meat, placing it delicately onto Iris's plate.

Iris preened, eating a piece and happily feeding the next bite to Holden. The two of them continued to eat, laugh, and toast their guests, completely ignoring the woman serving them.

An hour later, dinner concluded. Holden led the guests into the grand living room for the evening's main event.