When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 173

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The phone rang several times before it connected. For some reason, Henrietta felt a lump form in her throat. Fortunately, Yosef spoke first.

“Henrietta, where are you?”

She was momentarily taken aback but didn’t have time to dwell on his question. “Mr. Nash,” she began, “could you do me a favor?”

Yosef’s brow furrowed at the sound of her voice. She was usually so cool and composed, but now she sounded… off.

“Tell me,” he said, his tone clipped.

“I’m in Banquet Hall Nine at the Nash Hotel,” she explained. “Could you cancel this event and have the management come here and clear everyone out?”

His frown deepened. “What happened?”

Henrietta rubbed her temples. “There’s no time to explain. Can you do it, Mr. Nash?”

The pleading tone in her voice was all he needed to hear. Without another question, he simply said, “Alright.”

“I’ll make the call right now,” he added. “Wait for me in the hall.”

Henrietta breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. Thank you.”

Yosef hung up and immediately dialed the hotel’s general manager.

...

Meanwhile, in Banquet Hall Nine, one of the waiters on duty recognized Henrietta. The Nash Hotel was enormous, with thousands of employees, and not everyone knew her. But this particular waiter had seen her with the family before.

Just then, Shirley demanded another five bottles of wine.

The waiter who recognized Henrietta’s friends whispered to a colleague, “It looks like Ms. Sargent’s friends are in trouble. Go inform the matriarch’s staff. See if she wants to intervene.”

The hotel staff were still unaware of Yosef and Henrietta’s marriage; they were acting purely out of respect for the relationship between Sabrina and Zelina.

...

Henrietta put her phone away and hurried back to her table, where five bottles of red wine now stood open and waiting. This wasn’t beer. Everyone knew the kick red wine delivered.

Shirley was jeering at Winona. “The wine’s here, all opened. Drink up! Down it all in one go!”

Without a word, Winona reached for a bottle. Many of the onlookers gasped in concern.

“Winona, don’t be reckless! Five bottles is no joke.”

“She’s right. This isn’t just forcing a drink; this is attempted murder.”

Shirley spotted Henrietta returning. “Decided not to run away after all?” she sneered.

“I just went to the restroom,” Henrietta replied coolly.

“You’re just in time to see how loyal your little dog is,” Shirley scoffed. “But since you’re back, I’ll be merciful. The three of you can share these five bottles.”