Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 240

Chapter 240: Ambush at the Banquet (Part 2) — Targeting Aubrey

Hannah Pierce stood up and raised her voice, shouting to everyone in the house. “Everyone, come over! Have a seat! The elders have something to say. Move it!”

Everyone looked around, confused.

Aubrey and Tracy stood up and made their way over to the group.

Olivia quickly shoved the last two Sweet Rice Balls into her mouth and grabbed a napkin to wipe her lips. She followed right behind them, looking small and cautious, terrified of being left behind by the rest of the group.

Zach followed his cousins into the living room.

The living room was massive. Three sofas and Old Mr. Blackwood’s heavy armchair were arranged in a circle around a long, rectangular coffee table.

With four families gathered, there weren’t enough seats on the sofas. The younger generation ended up grabbing mahogany chairs to form an outer ring.

The air in the room felt heavy and tense.

Usually, a setup like this meant the family was facing a crisis–the kind of major event that required everyone to sit down, talk it out, and make a life–altering choice.

Old Mr. Blackwood looked around, completely lost. He turned his gaze toward his eldest son and daughter–in–law. “Charles, what on earth is going on?”

Charles didn’t crack a smile. His expression remained dead serious.

Hannah leaned in and whispered, “Dad, just take it easy. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Once everyone had settled into a sharp silence, Charles scanned the room with a cold, piercing gaze. He looked directly at Chase. “Chase, this involves Damon. Since he hasn’t arrived yet, we aren’t waiting for him. This is a serious matter–one we can’t let him

interfere with.”

Everyone looked at each other, completely baffled.

Chase was stunned. “Charles, what could be so serious that we have to keep Damon out of it?”

Aubrey sat on the outer ring of chairs. When she heard her uncle’s words, a cold realization hit her. This was about her.

The Winter Gala wasn’t a cozy family reunion. It was a setup. An ambush.

Her uncle was clearly impatient. He wanted to handle her before Damon arrived. He was trying to get rid of her while her protector was still out of the way.

Aubrey steeled herself. She wanted to see what cards he was holding, but she couldn’t stop her heart from racing.

The living room was heated, but she felt a sudden chill. She tucked her hands under her thighs and sat as still as possible, trying to hide her nerves.

Damon’s older brother and his wife were sitting right beside her.

The brother handed a cartoon–style electric hand warmer to his wife. “Here,” he whispered. “Warm your hands sup.”

She took it but immediately shook her head. “I’m young and my blood is pumping. I’m fine. Give it to Aubrey.”

He didn’t say anything, and his wife gently placed the hand warmer on Aubrey’s lap. “Aubrey, your circulation isn’t great, and your hands are always freezing,” she said softly. “Use this. It’ll make you feel better.”

Aubrey didn’t bother with fake politeness. She gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks.” She slid her icy hands into the warmth of the

bag.

* Chapter 240)

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The warmth from the heating pad seeped into her fingertips, but a hollow sense of dread still gripped her heart. She needed Damon She needed him to come back, and fast.

She wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold out against the combined weight of her uncle’s family and her two aunts. It was an ambush, plain and simple.

Suddenly, Charles stood up. He walked over to stand beside Old Mr. Blackwood, his face a mask of cold stone. His sharp gaze cut across the room, pinning everyone in place before his booming voice filled the silence,

“The Blackwood family has a legacy that spans over a century,” Charles began, each word heavy with authority. “We have been a family of service for generations. My father survived countless battles, earning the highest military honors through blood and sacrifice. Most of us are public servants. Even those who aren’t in office are dedicated to their fields, serving this country with honor This isn’t just about pride. It’s about the backbone and the standards our ancestors left behind.”

He paused, his freezing glare slowly shifting until it locked onto Aubrey. He spoke every word with lethal precision. “And I will not allow anyone to destroy the honors and the future of a Blackwood heir because of some petty romance,”

Following his lead, every head in the room turned. A suffocating weight of judgment crashed down on Aubrey.

Aubrey’s chest tightened. Despite the warmth of the heating pad, her hands felt like ice. Her skin crawled as she sat there, trapped under the intensity of their glares.

Tracy panicked. She quickly grabbed her phone and tried to call Damon on the sly.

No answer.

Charles didn’t stop. His voice grew harsher. “If this were about love, that would be one thing. But if it’s not—if it’s just a cold, calculated move–then it’s nothing but vanity, social climbing, and exploitation.”

Chase’s face darkened. “Charles, you’re clearly hinting at something. We’re family here. Just say it plainly.”

“Fine. I’ll lay it all out,” Charles snapped. He raised a hand and pointed a finger directly at Aubrey, his voice thick with indignation. “I do not agree to Damon marrying Aubrey Hayes. As his elders, I expect all of you to stand with me on this. I will never allow this woman’s name to enter the Blackwood family records.”

The room went dead silent. Everyone was floored.

No one had expected Charles to be this aggressive or this firm.

Old Mr. Blackwood couldn’t take it anymore. “Charles, that’s enough. You’re taking this way too far,” he interjected.

“Stay out of this, Dad. Just listen.”

Chase’s expression turned icy. This was his future daughter–in–law. He hadn’t even voiced an objection, yet here was his older brother, overstepping his bounds and demanding the entire family join his crusade.

It was absurd.

Out of respect for his brother’s position, Chase held his tongue for the moment, but his face was tight with suppressed fury.

Victoria couldn’t take it anymore. She snapped up from her seat. “Charles, Aubrey isn’t some gold digger. She’s not using Damon for gain or leverage. Whoever Damon chooses to marry is none of your-”

Listen to this first, Victoria,” Charles barked, cutting her off as he pulled a USB drive from his pocket. “Listen to this audio, then tell me if this future daughter–in–law of yours is even human. Let’s see what she’s really thinking and what she’s planning to do next.”

Victoria froze, her mind a blank. She slowly turned her head to look at Aubrey, completely lost.

The entire room went dead silent.

Charles shoved the USB into Evan’s hand. “Take this to the media room. Play it for everyone.”

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